Stone Sentinel – Kotor & Venice from Ancona

About this cruise

If you want the classic cruise without a massive time commitment, this is a strong option. 7 nights from Ancona on April 10, 2026, visiting Venice, Kotor, Mykonos and Syros. With 4 port days and 2 at sea, there's room for each stop to breathe. Crossing 3 borders through the Eastern Mediterranean: Italy, Montenegro and Greece. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. Roughly 8 hours per stop. More of a sampler than a deep dive. As for the ship itself, MSC Lirica takes the food seriously, with 5 restaurants to choose from. 4 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. The sweet spot for most travellers: you get to know the ship, see the ports, and come home before the laundry piles up. Pro tip: fly in the day before. Ancona has plenty to offer, and you'll board relaxed instead of rushed. A spring departure helps too: decent weather and a calmer feel at each port. Whether you've cruised before or not, this 7-night itinerary is a genuinely good one.