MSC Fantasia, Italy – Tunisia – Spain – France, 7 nights

Cruise the Mediterranean with MSC Fantasia

Genoa – Naples – Palermo – La Goulette – At Sea – Barcelona – Marseille – Genoa.

 7 nights, from 563 €/person!

The MSC Fantasia is stylish and ecological, balancing the warmth and comfort of the Mediterranean atmosphere with cutting edge design. At its heart you’ll find a real stone piazza complete with an espresso bar serving freshly-baked pastries and authentic gelati – the perfect place to take a moment away from bargain hunting in the chic boutiques and duty-free centre nearby. Enjoy the metropolitan atmosphere of our designer-themed lounge bars with gourmet specialities and varied entertainment, including a piano bar, jazz bar and Sports Bar with videogames and live event screenings. The restaurants offer an unforgettable dining experience, from the grand Il Cerchio d’Oro and the intimate Red Velvet with real Murano glass chandeliers to Butcher’s Cut and cocktails. There’s a massive range of sports facilities, from tennis, basketball, mini-golf, a jogging track and gym to the Aqua Park Pool Complex, a thrilling MSC Formula Racer simulator and 4D Cinema. MSC Fantasia also offers secluded areas in the Top 18 sun deck and the indulgent MSC Aurea Spa, plus fantastic zones and clubs designed for kids and teens. The ultimate in luxury is the exclusive MSC Yacht Club, a unique ship-within-a-ship boasting its own Concierge Reception, 24-hour butler service, private Lounge and pool deck. But it doesn’t end there. There’s always more to discover on the stylish MSC Fantasia.

(source: msccruises.com)

Schedule:

Day 1: Genoa, Italy

Boarding the ship, settling in the cabin and time for exploration! Foyer, lounges & bars, restaurants, spa, sports facilities, disco, playground, swimming pools, live music and performance venues, all available for you to experience and enjoy…

Day 2: Naples, Italy

Crammed with ancient architecture, cathedrals and churches, it’s no wonder the Historic Centre of Naples is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dip into it all, starting with a visit to medieval Castel Nuovo and its view to Mount Vesuvius, looming over the Bay of Naples. Afterwards, be swept up in the busy streets of Spaccanapoli, lined with artisan workshops, before delving into the city’s past in underground catacombs, located in Rione Sanità. Visit world-famous museums, such as the Capodimonte, with its collections of Baroque and Renaissance art, including works by Titian and Caravaggio. And then there’s the food, from Neapolitan pizza to fine dining. Better yet, combine your cruise with an excursion to Pompeii, the archaeological site that lay buried for 1,700 years following the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Today, visitors can walk the cobbled streets and admire the mosaics adorning the villas of the town’s wealthiest families. Back in the present day, the cruise also lets you live the glamorous life in Capri, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.

Day 3: Palermo, Italy

The port of Palermo, is the regional capital of the island of Sicily. This cosmopolitan city is known for its heavenly architecture, street food, and beautiful beaches. An excursion to Palermo will have you marvelling at the city’s wealth of landmarks. See Politeama and Quattro Canti squares, the Palazzo d’Orléans and the remarkable Palatine Chapel. A fusion of Norman, Byzantine, and Fatimid styles, this 12th-century masterpiece features shimmering mosaics, Arabic arches, and a magnificent Muqarnas ceiling. Next, see the Norman Palace and Casa Professa, a breathtaking Baroque church. Finally, wander the Capo, the most frenzied of fish markets, before glimpsing he exterior of the Teatro Massimo opera house. Immerse yourself in Italy’s rich history on an MSC Cruises excursion to Segesta, one of Sicily’s revered archaeological sites. Visit the unfinished Doric Temple and the 3rd-century Greek amphitheatre before stopping at the medieval mountain township of Erice. Discover charming houses on cobblestone streets, a Norman castle, and the 14th-century Mother Church. Heading back to Palermo, marvel at the impressive defensive wall protecting this historical town. Tour the charming coastal town of Cefalù. You’ll begin with a visit to Duomo di Cefalù, an astounding Arab-Norman cathedral. Dominating the surrounding old town and adorned inside with impressive mosaics, this religious location is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates back to the 12th-century. Enjoy a guided tour of the medieval washhouse, masterfully carved out of rock. Finally, explore the atmospheric streets of Cefalù where you can shop local wares at the craft shops.

Day 4: La Goulette, Tunisia

The northernmost country in Africa, Tunisia, is a jewel in the continent’s crown, a landscape that boasts abundant natural beauty, exceptional archaeological sites, and turquoise water to write home about. The city of Tunis (and the port of La Goulette) delivers a wealth of attractions that are waiting to be discovered, from the UNESCO-listed Medina with its mausoleums and palaces to its white-washed, cobbled satellite town. An excursion from the Tunis port of La Goulette to the remains of ancient Carthage will see you visiting the largest Roman thermae built in Africa. Dating back to 145 AD, the Baths of Antoninus overlook the azure Mediterranean sea and feature a range of impressive relics including a Punic necropolis, a Christian funerary chapel with a mosaic floor, and a regal nearby amphitheatre. Only minutes from the baths, discover the Roman Cisterns of La Malga which were designed to deliver water to the city of Carthage thousands of years ago. Today, these ancient storage tanks catch the eye with their numerous tunnels that create unusual patterns rising up from the earth. Alternatively, venture along the coast to Sidi Bou Said, an Andalusian-inspired seaside enclave that’s known for the bright white of its buildings, the intense blue of its doors, windows and balconies, and the sandy hue of its cobbled streets. Named after the Tunisian Sufi scholar who lived there, this picture-postcard town erupts with bougainvillea flowers and offers a range of restaurants near the water’s edge.

Day 5: At Sea

Activities of your choice! Spa day, duty free shopping, dancing lessons, sports or trying the MSC Formula Racer simulator? It is your choice so feel free to select your favourite activities and participate so that you can enjoy your cruise to the fullest!

Day 6: Barcelona, Spain

You’ll see why the Catalan capital is Spain’s most-visited city. Set between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains, Barcelona offers experiences and sights for all, from classical and modern art to daring architecture, from innovative design to ancient history, plus world-class gastronomy (covering local cuisine and fine dining) and an enviable coastline. Marvel at Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família or his surreal Park Güell, both part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing seven of the architect’s works across the city. Learn about local history by walking down famed La Rambla, lined with emblematic buildings like La Boqueria market, dating back to the 1800s, and the opulent Gran Teatre del Liceu opera house. Get lost among the alleyways of the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) and visit the Barcelona Cathedral, before heading to the coast for swimming and sunbathing at Barceloneta Beach.

Day 7:  Marseille, France

Several thousand years of activity, both human and natural, have helped shape Marseille, France, into the city it is today. Sailing into the port provides a view of its curved coastline and mountainous border, opening Marseille to the Mediterranean and beyond, ensuring its standing as a prominent cultural crossroads. Marseille’s terracotta rooftops, turquoise sea, limestone rocks and vivid street art form a landscape like no other in France. Even as France’s second-largest city, locals liken it to 111 villages. The best way to visit Marseille is with a guide who can further unlock its riches. MSC shore excursions let you discover tucked-away treasures like the model boats that hang from the ceiling of Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde. Snap photos of the Cathedral of Marseille that sits overlooking the ocean. Amble around Le Vieux-Port, admiring the sea views and lingering over a drink at a cafe terrace. Behold the Palais Longchamp, built to commemorate the arrival of water to Marseille. View the limestone cliffs that beckon nature-lovers to Calanques National Park. On your Marseille holiday, we make it easy to experience Provence heritage. Marvel at medieval ramparts in Avignon. Plunge into the port of Cassis. Admire the honey-coloured stone facades in Aix-en-Provence.

Day 8: Genoa, Italy

Return and disembarkation, after a unique journey… While in Genoa, one of the most important ports (and one of the largest) in Italy, a strategic harbour since ancient times, take a chance to admire its many sights, including Genoa Aquarium, designed by architect Renzo Piano!

For more information on the available optional excursions, please contact TRAVELLERS CLUB.

What is included:

• Accommodation in a cabin of your choice
• All meals
• Daily entertainment on board
• Fitness and sports facilities
• Gratuities
• Port fees and taxes

Not included:

• Consumption of drinks / soft drinks
• Optional shore excursions
• Anything else not explicitly mentioned in the ‘included’ part

3rd and 4th adult in the same cabin pays 383 €/person.
Children 2 to 11 years old pay 222 € in a cabin with 2 adults.
Children 12 to 17 years old pay 264 € in a cabin with 2 adults.

Price based on IB Interior Bella cabin category, subject to availability. Ticket prices for other dates may vary. Taxes, port taxes and service charges are included in the price.

Itinerary:

Available Dates

Departure dates 2024:
October 28.
November 4, 11, 18, 25..
December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.

Departure dates 2025:
January 6, 13, 20, 27.
February 3, 17, 24.
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31.
April 7, 14.