Italy Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
141 ships from 32 cruise lines
Italy cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 2,070 upcoming sailings on 141 ships from 32 cruise lines visiting Italy, calling at 68 places. Cruises can start in Civitavecchia, Venice, Trieste, Genova, Chioggia, Naples and 2 more and end in Civitavecchia, Venice, Trieste, Genova, Chioggia, Naples and 2 more. Of 2,070 upcoming sailings, 899 start in Italy and 896 end there.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare Italy cruise lines
See every Italy cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About Italy
Italy is the ideal milestone destination for the American traveler: deep history, extraordinary food, and a coastline that rewards slow, small-ship exploration. The combination of Mediterranean ocean cruising, Po River sailings, and well-run private guides lets you see Rome, Florence, Venice, and the southern coast without feeling herded. Plan for moderate distances, dress modestly at churches, and prioritize a few great experiences over many quick stops.
Typical routes
- Mediterranean ocean cruise circuit
- Po River and Venetian lagoon small-ship itinerary
Ports overview
Italy's cruise geography is remarkable: long Mediterranean coastlines on five seas, a navigable Po River system, and the Venetian lagoon. Ocean ports range from industrial-scale Civitavecchia to charming small ports like Portofino; river ports are intimate and walkable.
Cruise season
March through November. April-June and September-October are ideal for weather and fewer crowds. July-August can be hot and busy; Po River navigation may be temporarily affected by low water or floods.
Find your Italy sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at Italy, earliest departure first.
8 Days Naples, Italy Round Trip
Starts and ends in Italy. Also visits Tunisia, Spain, France
MSC Euribia
6 Days Genoa, Italy Round Trip
Starts and ends in Italy. Also visits France, Spain
MSC Magnifica
8 Days Izmir, Turkey Round Trip
Visits Italy. Also visits Turkey, Greece
MSC Orchestra
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8 Days Genoa, Italy Round Trip
Starts and ends in Italy. Also visits Spain, France
MSC Sinfonia
8 Days Livorno, Italy Round Trip
Starts and ends in Italy. Also visits Malta, Spain, France
MSC Splendida
8 Days Messina, Italy Round Trip
Starts and ends in Italy. Also visits Malta, Spain, France
MSC World Europa
8 Days One-Way from Istanbul to Trieste
Ends in Italy. Also visits Turkey, Greece, Montenegro
Seven Seas Voyager
7 Days One-Way from Civitavecchia-Rome to Piraeus-Athens
Starts in Italy. Also visits Crete Greece, Turkey, Greece
Viking Vela
8 Days Palermo, Italy Round Trip
Starts and ends in Italy. Also visits Tunisia, Spain, France
MSC Euribia
10 Days Istanbul, Turkey Round Trip
Visits Italy. Also visits Turkey, Greece
MSC Fantasia
11 Days One-Way from Venice to Split
Starts in Italy. Also visits Greece, Cyprus, Egypt
MSC Lirica
12 Days Venice, Italy Round Trip
Starts and ends in Italy. Also visits Greece, Cyprus, Egypt
MSC Lirica
Where Italy cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (18)
Coastal and island ports
Ancona (19) (cruises from) · Bari (240) (cruises from) · Brindisi (71) (cruises from) · Cagliari (163) (cruises from) · Chioggia (78) (cruises from) · Civitavecchia (1,438) (cruises from) · Genova (263) (cruises from) · Giardini Naxos (211) (cruises from) · Livorno (628) (cruises from) · Messina (540) (cruises from) · Naples (584) (cruises from) · Palermo (246) (cruises from) · Ravenna (76) (cruises from) · Rome Italy (36) (cruises from) · Trieste (177) (cruises from) · Venice (508) (cruises from)
River ports
Como (5) (cruises from) · Mantua (3) (cruises from)
Disembarkation ports (18)
Coastal and island ports
Ancona (19) · Bari (240) · Brindisi (71) · Cagliari (163) · Catania (89) · Chioggia (78) · Civitavecchia (1,438) · Genova (263) · Livorno (628) · Messina (540) · Naples (584) · Palermo (246) · Ravenna (76) · Rome Italy (36) · Trieste (177) · Venice (508)
River ports
Ships by type: 133 ocean 6 river 7 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
Italy is also in: Western Europe, Mediterranean
Plan your Italy cruise
Italy cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
Italy cruise port guide →Frequently asked questions about Italy cruises
How many places do cruises visit in Italy?
68 Italy places are visited by 141 ships from 32 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a Italy cruise?
March through November. April-June and September-October are ideal for weather and fewer crowds. July-August can be hot and busy; Po River navigation may be temporarily affected by low water or floods.
Sources and further reading
Background on Italy draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA World Factbook: Italy - The World Factbook
- Wikipedia: Italy
- Italian National Tourist Board: Italia.it
- Wikimedia Commons: Commons: API
- Unsplash Developers: Unsplash API
- Pexels: Pexels API
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 41 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 585 ships visiting 1,731 ports across 7,194 unique cruises, creating 13,822 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!