Set sail from the southern shores of France through the Mediterranean Sea, visiting marvellous ports of call in Italy, Tunisia and Spain during the course of your voyage. Steeped in culture and history, and renowned for art and fine wines, you'll benefit from cruise travel's ability to explore several Mediterranean destinations in a relatively short period of time. Embarking in Marseille, France's largest city on the Mediterranean, you'll voyage to Genoa in Northern Italy, known as la Superba ("the Superb one"), and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Sail to Naples in the south of Italy, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities, dating back to the 9th-8th century BC. You'll continue on to Sicily, where you'll visit Palermo, a city rich in history, culture, art and food, and renowned for it's ideal Mediterranean climate. Find yourself in North Africa, visiting La Goulette, the port of Tunis, situated near the ruins of the glorious ancient city of Carthage. Enjoy a call to port in Barcelona, the cultural centre of Spain, glowing with magnificent Gaudi architecture. You'll be sure to find that the Mediterranean has much to explore.

Available Cruise Departure Dates (2012):
Apr 7, Apr 14, Apr 21, Apr 28, May 5, May 12, May 19, May 26, Jun 2, Jun 9, Jun 16, Jun 23, Jun 30, Jul 7, Jul 14, Jul 21, Jul 28, Aug 4, Aug 11, Aug 18, Aug 25, Sep 1, Sep 8, Sep 15, Sep 22, Sep 29, Oct 6, Oct 13

Paris is confident that it's the world's most beautiful, fashionable and artistic capital. After visiting the city you will no doubt find it hard to disagree. Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with over 30 million foreign visitors per year. Three of the most famous Parisian landmarks are the twelfth century cathedral Notre Dame de Paris on the Île de la Cité, the nineteenth century Eiffel Tower, and the Napoleonic Arc de Triomphe. The city's most prized museum is the Louvre, though there are dozens of other important ones.

Enjoy a private airport transfer in Paris in a private vehicle with a professional driver.

The Quartier Latin Paris (3*) is located in the heart of the Latin quartier, just a few steps from the Mouffetard and Monge open-air market, also has direct access to the Opera, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. The Saint Germain neighbourhood, the Sorbonne, Luxembourg gardens and Notre Dame cathedral are all nearby. The hotel is in a typical Parisian style building, and the interior is very airy with large windows and wooden furnishings and flooring. The tastefully decorated lobby offers a peaceful atmosphere, while the comfortable salon is the perfect place to relax and avail of the complimentary WIFI and tea and coffee.

Overnight at Quartier Latin (3*) .

Discover Versailles Palace, the symbol of France's grandeur during the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV.  You will be picked up at your Paris hotel in luxury air conditioned minibus with a professional interpreter-guide and whisked away to the famous palace. Your guide will take you straight in without standing in line and lead you through the most beautiful rooms including the Royal Apartments, the Hall of Mirrors and the Queen’s private Apartment.
Then enjoy some free time to explore the palace gardens.  Please note that on "Special Musical Fountain" days (in summer: every Saturday and Sunday) there is an additional charge to visit the gardens (8€ per person, the entrance is not included).

Overnight at Quartier Latin (3*) .

Marseille formerly known as Massalia is the 2nd most populous French city as well as the oldest city in France. It forms the third-largest metropolitan area, after those of Paris and Lyon. Located on the south east coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea, Marseille is France's largest commercial port. Its inhabitants are called Marseillais.

Enjoy a guided walking tour of the Louvre. The tour will focus on 3 world-famous works: The “Venus de Milo”, “the Winged Victory” and “the Mona Lisa” by Leonardo De Vinci.  You will then continue on to visit the main exhibition rooms.  You may use your ticket the whole afternoon to visit on your own the other departments of the biggest museum in the world. Your ticket gives you access to all the temporary exhibitions (except Napoleon Hall) as well as the Eugène Delacroix museum on the same day. Tour includes hotel pick-up (return to your hotel on your own), entrance ticket to the Louvre, guide and best of all – no line ups!

Enjoy a private airport transfer in Paris in a private vehicle with a professional driver.

Meet your driver for an airport transfer.

Centrally located in Marseille, New Hotel of Marseille Le Pharo (4*) is near Fort Saint Nicholas, Abbaye de Saint Victor, and Musee des Docks Romains. Additional nearby points of interest include Vieux Port. Guestrooms have air conditioning, minibars, and in-room safes; rooms also include coffee/tea makers and hair dryers. In addition to a restaurant and a business center, this property features a bar/lounge, complimentary high-speed (wired) Internet access, and 24-hour room service.

Overnight at Le Pharo (4*).

Cruise the historic waters of the Mediterranean aboard your luxury cruise vessel, making calls-to-port at many of the region's most triumphant cities of bygone eras. Your onboard experience will be enriched with shore excursions out to explore the local culture, the beaches, or well-preserved relics of the past, such as great mosques or hand-masoned city walls.

Enjoy a 4 hour private city tour of Marseille in the company of a private vehicle and driver, and discover the old port created by the Greeks in the 6th century BC. Start the tour by visiting the Notre Dame de la Garde, a 19th century basilica, that will offer you an exceptional view of the phocean city, the Frioul islands and the If Castle. Passing by the Cité Radieuse (Classified Historic Monument) of Le Corbusier, you'll be taken to the traditional fishermen vilalges of Callelongue and Goudes. Returning by the coastal road,  you'll pass by Vallon des Auffes, where typical little fish boats and cabins jostle side by side. Then, you'll reach the Abbey of Saint Victor (11st century) which guards the entry of the Old Port. Take in the hussle and bussle as you are driven down the Canebière, Marseille's historic High street  located in the old quater of town, and take in the Longchamp Palace and its majestic fountain as you drive by.

Welcome aboard!
Take some time to get settled in before attending the welcome dinner, where you can meet your fellow cruisemates.

MSC Fantasia is the largest cruise ship ever built for a European ship owner. Greater in length than the height of the Eiffel Tower, she has 1,637 staterooms 80% oceanview, many with private balconies, 5 restaurants, 4 swimming pools, 12 hydro-massage pools, coffee bars, shops, a children’s area which includes a swimming pool with waterslide, an Aqua Park, a Formula 1 simulator and an interactive 4-D cinema, you can truly rediscover yourself as you relax into your vacation. Built with the environment in mind, the MSC Fantasia cruise liner is constructed in a modern spirit, as we help preserve the environment without sacrificing guests’ comfort. MSC Fantasia is not only a voyage of pleasure, but one of discovery.

Overnight at MSC Fantasia (7N) (MRS).

The Port of Genoa is an Italian seaport on the Mediterranean Sea. Genoa's bustling old streets running down to the port retain a gritty character all but lost in most modern cities. It's easy to wander around the back streets of the old town and not come across another tourist for hours. The streets are brimming with beautiful Renaissance architecture, ornate churches vying for attention with luxurious palaces housing some magnificent works of art, including many Old Masters. Many of these palaces line a single street, via Garibaldi, which was the home of the Genoese nobility in the 16th century and has preserved its graceful buildings in beautiful condition.

Overnight at MSC Fantasia (7N) (MRS).

Naples sprawls along the shores of the Bay of Naples between the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean and the towering Versuvius volcano. It is a chaotic and colourful city, its grittiness, noise and old grandeur makes it nothing short of compelling. Home of the pizza, there is no shortage of good restaurants providing their take on the classic Margerita, as well as an abundance of seafood dishes and great desserts. The historical centre is a labyrinth of narrow streets and piazzas, divided in two by a long narrow cobbled street full of craftsman, cafes and shops.

Overnight at MSC Fantasia (7N) (MRS).

Few places in the world can match Palermo's alluring mystique. Sicily's largest city is flanked by rocky peaks and straddles an azure sea along the rim of the Conca d'Oro and the Gulf of Palermo. At street level, the Sicilian capital is a busy and exciting metropolis that reflects 3,000 years of history as the Mediterranean's most important cultural crossroads. Its urban fabric is rich with baroque palaces from the Bourbon reign, mosaics, museums and colorful outdoor fish markets. Unlike any other, the city straddles past and present and north and south.

Overnight at MSC Fantasia (7N) (MRS).

La Goulette is the port of Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. The town's Kasbah fortress was built in 1535 by Charles I of Spain but was later captured by the Ottoman Turks in 1574. The ancient ruins of Carthage lay near the town of La Goulette.

Overnight at MSC Fantasia (7N) (MRS).

Today is a relaxing day spent at sea, en route to your next destination, Barcelona. There are plenty of entertainment options aboard your ship, or for pure relaxation, grab a drink and settle in with a book. This is the carefree beauty of cruise travel.

Overnight at MSC Fantasia (7N) (MRS).

The Port of Barcelona has a 2000-year history and a great contemporary commercial importance. The Port is divided into three zones: Port Vell (the Old Port), the commercial port and the logistics port (Barcelona Free Port). The Port Vell houses the Maremagnum (a commercial mall), a multiplex cinema, the IMAX Port Vell and Europe's largest aquarium, containing 8,000 fish and 11 sharks contained in 22 basins filled with 6 million litres of sea water. The Maremagnum, due to being situated a designated tourist zone, is the only commercial mall in the city that can open on Sundays and public holidays.

Overnight at MSC Fantasia (7N) (MRS).

Nice is the capital of the French Riviera and a glittering jewel of the Côte d'Azur. It is a city built on wealth and prestige, and not a little pretension. Head away from the Promenade and you'll find a different, more thoughtful Nice. History shows itself in the Roman and Grecian ruins in the Parc du Château, art manifests itself in the form of the outstanding Chagall and Matisse collections, and the old town simply oozes Mediterranean charm.

After breakfast this morning, you'll be disembarking your ship back in Marseille. Bid farewell to your fellow cruisemates as your voyage has come to conclusion.

Meet your private driver for a train transfer.

Sit back and enjoy the train ride to Nice. The journey is around 2hr 30mins direct.

Train station transfer with private vehicle and English speaking Driver.

Splendid Hotel & Spa (4*) is a boutique hotel ideally located in the heart of Nice city and only 7 km from the airport. The hotel boasts 85 harmony rooms, 28 deluxe rooms and 15 suites which are an invitation to relaxation. Tastefully decorated in Mediterranean style which will remind you of the Côte of Azur, most rooms feature a balcony and some have a balneo bathtub. All of them have large openings allowing spaces to be flooded with daylight. The "Chez Hugo " Restaurant offers Mediterranean cuisine and panoramic views of the city and the sea. On the eight floor is a spectacular heated swimming pool with impressive views, a sunny terrace and Jacuzzi.

Overnight at Splendid (4*).

Drive along the coast road with its medieval villages, marinas and panoramic viewpoints. Continue through the medieval town of Monaco and set down at Palace and free time to stroll. Then tour the Grand Prix circuit. Stop in Monte-Carlo. Free time for dinner (not included) and enjoy the ambience in Casino Square and maybe try your luck on the tables or slot machines.

Overnight at Splendid (4*).

Airport transfer with private vehicle and English speaking driver. (A supplement for transfer between 8pm and 7am may be charged).

 End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart .