Spend a Week in the Mediterranean

Seven-night cruises from enchanting Barcelona are hot tickets

By Elizabeth Armstrong

In just a week's time, you can experience the souks of Tunis, the museums of Florence, the nightlife of Ibiza and the golden beaches of St. Tropez. These are all stops on MSC Cruises' Mediterranean sailings aboard the Melody, one of several ships cruising round trip from Barcelona on seven-night vacations.

Savvy cruise passengers who want to see a lot -- but not take a lot of time off -- are opting for these weeklong itineraries from the Spanish port city. Trans-Atlantic flights are shorter -- it's a little over eight hours from New York to Barcelona, for example, but nearly 10 hours or more to Athens and Istanbul, other common departure ports for Med cruises. And while a flight to Rome also lasts about eight hours, the drive to the pier at Civitavecchia can take an hour and a half to two hours. In Barcelona, the transfer from the airport to the ship is much shorter.

And if you can manage it, Barcelona is a lovely place to spend a day before your cruise. Stroll Las Ramblas, the broad, pedestrian-friendly avenue where street performers and vendors congregate. Wander the narrow streets of the medieval Gothic Quarter, or marvel at Sagrada Familia, the elaborate, unfinished church designed by architect Antoni Gaudi. Other worthwhile spots include the Picasso Museum and one of the many traditional tapas bars, perfect for a quick snack.

Here are options for seven-night Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona, with three lines, four ships and five itineraries from which to choose. Rates quoted below are per person, based on double occupancy and do not include airfare.

With the right air schedule, you can miss just five days of work on Sunday-to-Sunday sailings with Norwegian Cruise Line aboard its Norwegian Jewel. Your ship leaves Barcelona at 7 p.m. on Sunday evening, followed by a full day at sea.

Over the next few days, you'll hit some of Italy's most popular ports. First, the ship calls at Messina on the northeast coast of Sicily. From here, passengers can travel to the charming town of Taormina, with its impressive Greek amphitheater and views of Mount Etna. Then it's on to Naples, a prime spot on the Amalfi Coast for exploring sunny resort towns like Sorrento, Positano and Capri. History and archaeology buffs can join a shore excursion to the excavated ruins of Pompeii, buried under volcanic ash more than 1,900 years ago.

The ship then spends a day at Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, before heading north to Livorno on the Ligurian Sea. Most cruise ship passengers set out from Livorno for Florence, Pisa and Siena, perhaps with a visit to one of Tuscany's wineries. Before heading back to Barcelona for its 5 a.m. arrival, the Jewel calls at Nice on the French Riviera. Stroll the city's waterfront promenade and visit museums devoted to the works of Marc Chagall and Henri Matisse. Or, hop the local train and check out towns strewn across the Cote d'Azur -- Villefranche, Monte Carlo and Menton to the east, and Antibes and Cannes to the west.

The 2,376-passenger Norwegian Jewel is a relatively new ship, debuting in 2005. It has 12 restaurants, 11 bars and lounges, a spa and a sports deck for basketball, volleyball or tennis. Ten unique suites called "courtyard villas" share a private area with pool, hot tub, exercise room and sundeck.

In 2007, the Jewel sails weeklong Mediterranean itineraries from June 24 through Aug. 26. Through national cruise discounter Vacations To Go, you can save up to 45 percent off a peak-season summer sailing -- the June 24 departure has been reduced to $1,199 per person. Another ship in the Norwegian fleet, the Norwegian Gem, will sail this itinerary in summer 2008. For a list of Norwegian's seven-night cruises from Barcelona, click here.

Royal Caribbean International has two slightly varying weeklong Mediterranean itineraries aboard the Voyager of the Seas. All start and end on Saturdays.

Both itineraries visit Nice, Rome and Naples. One cruise also calls at Livorno and the Sicilian town of Palermo, where you can explore the 12th-century Castello della Zisa or take in the sights, scents and flavors of La Vucciria market. Palermo has a puppet-making legacy, so be sure to stop by the whimsical International Marionettes Museum or perhaps visit one of the local workshops to pick up your own stringed puppet to take home.

The second itinerary stops at the walled city of Valletta in Malta, the miniature island that Charles V of Spain gave to the Knights of the Order of St. John in 1530. Many passengers choose to tour the St. John's Co-Cathedral and the Palace of the Grand Masters. The ship also calls at Palma de Mallorca, about 60 miles off the coast of Spain. Here, streets wind past stone cottages and old Moorish mansions. Look for La Seu, the imposing Gothic cathedral that greets visitors arriving by sea.

The itineraries include a full day at sea, giving passengers an opportunity to try out the myriad recreational features on the 3,114-passenger Voyager of the Seas. These include an ice-skating rink, in-line skating track, rock-climbing wall, full-size basketball court, golf simulator and nine-hole miniature golf course. About 80 percent of the ship's ocean-view staterooms have balconies.

The Voyager of the Seas sails weeklong Mediterranean cruises from May 26 through Nov. 10 in 2007. Vacations To Go offers the lowest rates for summer departures from June 9 through June 30, at $999 per person. The last sailing of the season in November drops to $709 per person. The Voyager also will offer these itineraries from May through November of next year. For a list of Royal Caribbean's seven-night cruises from Barcelona, click here.

MSC Cruises may not be very well known in North America, but when it comes to cruising in the Med, this line is right at home. A division of the Mediterranean Shipping Co., it is headquartered in Naples. Its officers are Italian, and the ships' menus and decor reflect an Italian influence. Onboard charges are in euros while ships are in the Mediterranean. Appropriately, the line turned to Italian film legend Sophia Loren when seeking a godmother for several of its vessels.

Two MSC ships sail weekly cruises out of Barcelona, the Musica and the Melody. Itineraries are a bit more exotic, with both ships calling at Tunis, the coastal capital of the north African country of Tunisia. Join an excursion that allows time to explore the narrow alleys, small shops and mosques of the medina, or old town. Guided MSC outings also stop at the village of Sidi Bou Said. Founded by Andalusian Arabs expelled from Spain, it is notable for its white houses fronted by blue doors.

Both ships also visit Naples, but beyond that, itineraries vary. The Melody travels to Livorno, Messina and the glamorous French Riviera town of St. Tropez, where you can spend the day on the beach or in the stores and cafes, or join an excursion to the villages and vineyards of Provence. The ship pulls into Ibiza late one evening, just in time to sample the lively nightlife for which this Spanish island is known. The next morning, linger over coffee at a harborside cafe in the main town, or climb the steep, cobbled streets to a cathedral and fortress.

The Musica spends time in Marseille on France's southeast coast, where you can stroll the Vieux Port (old port), head to Notre Dame de la Garde for terrific views of the city, or join an excursion to Aix-en-Provence, a village depicted in landscapes by Paul Cezanne. In Genoa, Italy, passengers can roam the largest aquarium in Europe, see the house where Christopher Columbus was born, or join a half-day trip to enchanting Portofino, with its colorful homes and outdoor cafes facing a small harbor. The ship also visits Palermo and Palma de Mallorca.

The brand-new Musica is the largest vessel in the MSC fleet, carrying 3,013 guests. Amenities include a stylish sushi bar, cigar room, wine-tasting bar, golf simulator and spa with thalassotherapy treatments. It is in the Mediterranean through Oct. 26, 2007, departing from Barcelona every Friday. Summer sailings from Vacations To Go start at $1,195 per person, a savings of 32 percent off the brochure rate. In late October, the rate drops to $995 per person. For a list of seven-night cruises from Barcelona aboard MSC's Musica, click here.

The smaller and older Melody, which carries 1,492 passengers, sails from Barcelona each Monday through Oct. 22, 2007. Save up to 45 percent on cruises departing June 18 and 25, when discounted rates start at $995 per person. Four end-of-season cruises in October begin at $895 per person. For a list of seven-night cruises from Barcelona aboard MSC's Melody, click here.

Information: For more information about these seven-night cruises from Barcelona, visit Vacations To Go or call (800) 338-4962.

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