Onyx Nights – Riviera & Lisbon

About this cruise

No complicated itinerary, no back-to-back transfers, just the ports, the ship, and the sea in between. This 10-night sailing from Genoa on September 20, 2026 visits Marseille, Málaga and Cádiz, with additional stops along the Western Mediterranean. A few ports come in quick succession, which is great for sightseeing but means you'll appreciate the sea days when they arrive. Crossing 4 borders through the Western Mediterranean: France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. Don't rush through Olbia, which is known as Sardinia's Emerald Coast at your feet. Around 9 hours per port on average, which is generous enough to go beyond the obvious. MSC Opera takes the food seriously, with 4 restaurants to choose from. 4 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. There are enough performances, events, and social mixers on a cruise this length that you couldn't do them all if you tried. And that's a good problem. This length suits most people. Enough time to settle in and actually unwind, without the trip dragging on. The autumn timing is underrated too. Good weather, calmer seas, and a more relaxed ship. All told, 7 ports across 10 nights covers a lot.