Italy Cruises

Italy Cruises

The secret to Italy’s popularity is simple. It’s a perfect combo: great beaches, charming natural beauty, extremely rich historical and cultural treasures, amazing shopping and of course notoriously delicious Italian food. Italy is a very interesting country to explore, it is so different from north to south which makes it a perfect cruise destination. The best part is, you don’t even have to fly, since there are many Italy cruises departing from Southampton with Cunard, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean or P&O Cruises. 

History & culture

When looking for a destination full of historical and cultural sights, there’s no better place than Italy. The Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Fontana di Trevi, St.Peter’s Cathedral in Rome; Uffizi Gallery, Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore, Michelangelo’s Statue of David in Florence; St, Marks Square and Basilica, Dodge Palace, Rialto Bridge in Venice, Pompeii in Naples or Taormina in Sicily. All of the above needs little introduction and is just a teeny-tiny list of places in Italy you must visit. Pick any city and you’ll be sure to find the most exciting historical treasures there, which is part of the reason why cruising Italy is a constant delight.

Food & drink

Where to start… Italian food is loved all over the world: Neapolitan Pizza, Pasta Cacio e Pepe from Rome, Gelato from Sicily or Tuscan’s specialty – la Bistecca di Fiorentina. Italian wine requires no introduction at all, and we can all agree that there is nothing better than a glass of Barolo or Pinot Grigio in Venice? Food is an absolute highlight of any Italian cruise and a great part of understanding and exploring Italian culture.

Rome

La citta etterna, the eternal city. The number of places you should visit here is unbelievable and impossible to do in just one day. Ships arriving in Italy dock at Civitavecchia, which is a small city not far  from Rome, but you should keep in mind that you need around 1 hour to get from the port to the city center. Because of this, we recommend that, instead of trying to run through the whole city, just focus on one of its districts and explore it at a comfortable pace. A must-have is lunch or dinner at one of the many Roman tavernas, where we recommend you try Pasta alla Carbonara, Pasta Cacio e Pepe and Carciofi alla Romana, of course with a glass of fresh white wine.

Discover what to see and do on our Rome city guide.

Florence

Florence – capital of Toscana Region. If you are an art-lover that’s a place for you. In Florence you can find incredible collections from renowned artists, such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Brunelleschi and many others of the Renaissance era. The city itself is a great open-air museum, full of alluring architecture, squares, and buildings. Cruise ships usually dock at Livorno or Spezia, so please be aware that it would take you around an hour and a half to get to the city’s best highlights.

Venice

The magnificent ‘city of Canals’ is a very popular cruise destination in Italy. This beautiful, one-of-a-kind city is famous for its architecture, art, canals, and bridges. It’s curious, because even if you have never been there, you definitely have seen it: the gondolas, Rialto Bridge, St.Mark’s Square, the carnival. Venice has its own secrets and charm which attracts visitors of all ages and backgrounds: from families to honeymooners.

Read our Venice city guide to make the most of your visit.

Taormina – Messina, Sicily

Taormina is a lovely village outside Messina located on the hilltop with dramatic views of Mount Etna. Beautiful medieval streets, great views and the ancient Greco-Roman Theatre, which is still used nowadays, make Taormina a popular cruise destination. 

Pompeii – Naples

Once upon a time Pompeii was an ancient roman city located not far away from Naples. After the tragic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79 the whole town and its suburbs were buried under the ash and lava, hiding it for hundreds of years. Today it is a significant archeological park and a great open-air museum: well worth a visit if you are interested in customs, art, and traditions of the past.

Portofino – Spezia

A beautiful gem of the Cinque Terre, situated in the northwest of Italy. Portofino is a very small, but extremely remarkable village with fabulous pastel houses, little cozy cafes and tavernas, some luxury boutiques and of course some magnificent views on the glittering Ligurian Sea.

Currency considerations

The official currency in Italy is Euro. You can use both credit cards and cash, but keep in mind that in some shops in small villages people still prefer cash.

Customs and traditions to be aware of

We recommend you dress appropriately if you are going to visit some religious places. If you are travelling through small towns and villages, as well, you may find that shops and cafes are closed in the afternoons. Oh, and try to avoid drinking cappuccino after midday, as no Italian would ever do so.

Making the most use of short durations in port

If you want to make the most use of short cruise stops in Italy, we recommend you do some homework in advance. Prepare your itinerary, focusing on top spots rather than trying to see it all. And don’t forget: Italy is a country made for foodies, so make sure you try some local food in every port of call.

Transport

Depending on where in Italy you can use taxis, trains, ferry boats or public transport. The only thing you should always remember is that Italians love to strike, so be sure to have an alternative plan.

• Mediterranean Cruises
• Adriatic Cruises
• Europe Cruises
• Barcelona Cruises
• Rome Cruises
• Venice Cruises

• How many cruise ports are there in Italy?

There are more than 20 cruise ports in Italy, the most popular would-be Civitavecchia (Rome), Livorno (Florence), Naples, Venice or Ravenna, Messina and Spezia

• What months are the best for Italy cruises?

May, June, September, and October are months when there are less tourists and when the heat is not too crazy.

• Are cruise ships banned in Venice?

Cruise ships are not banned in Venice, but in order to preserve this wonderful city big cruise ships are not allowed to dock there anymore, so they go to the nearby ports of call like Trieste and Ravenna. Small ships can still dock at the city.

• How many days should you cruise Italy for?

There's just so much to see! 7 to 10 days would be great for an italian cruise, this way you'll be able to travel around all the main destinations, explore the most famous locations and try some delicious meals. But if you only have a couple of days, don't worry, you'll still have a chance to enjoy this beautiful country and have a little preview, so you can plan your next visit as soon as possible.