10 nights · Spain · Departs Barcelona (Spain) · Visiting Valletta, Heraklion, Rhodes Island, Limassol, Port Said, Suez Canal, Jeddah · Aboard MSC Explora Journeys on the MSC Explora 1
Image courtesy of MSC Explora Journeys ©
| Cruise line | MSC Explora Journeys |
|---|---|
| Ship | MSC Explora 1 |
| Duration | 10 nights |
| Port calls | 8 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $4,965 per person |
| Year built | 2023 |
| Guests | 1473 |
| Cabins | 461 |
| Crew | 640 |
| Length | 248 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 18.0 kn |
Barcelona is a Mediterranean port city built on Roman foundations, with Gothic lanes and striking modernist architecture. La Rambla runs from Plaça de Catalunya towards the waterfront and the old town. Gaudí’s Sagrada Família and Park Güell show the city at its most distinctive. Set aside time for a market lunch and a walk through El Born, where medieval streets meet lively cafés. Barcelona’s beaches offer a welcome pause between visits.
Valletta makes a powerful first impression, its honey-coloured walls rising above Grand Harbour. Founded by the Knights of St John in 1566, Malta’s compact capital rewards exploration on foot. Enter St John’s Co-Cathedral for Caravaggio’s monumental paintings, then follow Republic Street to cafés, palaces and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. From the terraces, watch ferries cross the harbour and look towards the Three Cities. Allow time for steep lanes and quiet side streets.
Heraklion is Crete’s capital, with treasures beyond its city walls. At Knossos, about five kilometres south, palace ruins reveal the scale of Minoan life. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum brings that world into focus through frescoes, jewellery and its celebrated Snake Goddess figurines. In town, Venetian walls and the harbour’s Koules fortress frame cafés, markets and a lively waterfront. Crete’s olive oil, local cheeses and generous island cooking reward a pause between visits.
Rhodes pairs a fortified medieval capital with a sunlit Aegean coast. The UNESCO-listed Old Town stands just beyond the harbour, enclosed by formidable walls built by the Knights of St John. Walk its cobbled lanes to the Palace of the Grand Master, then pause over coffee in a shaded square. Beyond the city, beaches and whitewashed Lindos reward a longer outing; an ancient acropolis crowns the bay.
Limassol puts Cyprus’s layered history within easy reach of a lively Mediterranean waterfront. Begin in the old town, where narrow streets lead to the medieval castle and its museum. Local tradition links the city to Richard the Lionheart’s 1191 marriage to Berengaria. Along the seafront, cafés and the modern marina reveal Limassol’s contemporary side. Beyond town, Kourion’s Greco-Roman theatre opens to sweeping coastal views.
Port Said stands at the Mediterranean entrance to the Suez Canal, shaped by one of the world’s great shipping routes. Watch ships pass from the waterfront, then take the short ferry across the canal to Port Fouad. Founded during the canal’s construction in 1859, Port Said retains broad boulevards, old villas and a distinctly maritime character. Look for the historic lighthouse and local cafés, or browse the city’s markets before returning to the quay.
Few waterways alter a voyage as decisively as the Suez Canal. Cutting through Egypt’s desert, this 120-mile route links the Mediterranean with the Red Sea, avoiding the long passage around Africa. Opened in 1869, the canal has no locks, and ships cross it in convoy. From deck, watch banks of sand, passing freighters, and the changing light over Great Bitter Lake. Ismailia offers a glimpse of the canal’s history, while Port Said and Suez mark its northern and southern gateways.
Jeddah meets the Red Sea with the confidence of a city built on trade. Beyond its modern waterfront, Al-Balad preserves coral-stone merchants’ houses and narrow lanes shaped by centuries of commerce. Look for carved wooden balconies, lively souks and the old city’s UNESCO-listed architecture. This is a Red Sea port with a past still visible at street level.
Published September 9, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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