Sunken Empires – Valletta, Tunis & Palermo

About this cruise

There's a reason 10-night cruises are the most popular length. This one sails from Civitavecchia (Rome) on April 29, 2027 and visits Salerno, Messina and Valletta, with additional stops along the Western Mediterranean. You wind up in Barcelona, so it's worth planning a night or two there. The itinerary clusters several port calls together. Fast-paced for a few days, then the sea days hit and you can catch your breath. Crossing 5 borders through the Western Mediterranean: Italy, Malta, Tunisia, France and Spain. You'll notice the culture shift at every stop. You get around 10 hours in each port, which is enough for an excursion, lunch, and some wandering around on your own. When you're not ashore, Norwegian Dawn takes the food seriously, with 14 restaurants to choose from. 5 are included, and the rest are worth the splurge. One of the underrated parts of a longer cruise: you actually get to know people. The couple from dinner, the group at trivia, the bartender who remembers your drink. Couples, small groups, or anyone who wants proper time away will find this hits the spot. Pro tip: fly in the day before. Civitavecchia (Rome) has plenty to offer, and you'll board relaxed instead of rushed. An April departure catches that sweet window of warm-enough weather before the summer rush. Hard to ask for much more than that, honestly.