4 nights · France Riviera · Departs Marseille (France) · Visiting Genoa, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Livorno, Civitavecchia-Rome · Aboard MSC Explora Journeys on the MSC Explora 2
Image courtesy of MSC Explora Journeys ©
| Cruise line | MSC Explora Journeys |
|---|---|
| Ship | MSC Explora 2 |
| Duration | 4 nights |
| Port calls | 5 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $2,275 per person |
| Year built | 2024 |
| Guests | 1473 |
| Cabins | 461 |
| Crew | 640 |
| Length | 248 m |
| Beam | 32 m |
| Cruising speed | 18.0 kn |
Marseille is France’s oldest city, founded by Greek settlers around 600 BC, and it still faces the Mediterranean with confidence. Begin at the Vieux-Port, where fishing boats share the waterfront with cafés and ferries bound for nearby islands. Climb to Notre-Dame de la Garde for sweeping views, or explore Le Panier’s narrow lanes and lively squares. The Calanques’ limestone coves lie beyond the city; local markets bring Provençal flavors closer.
Genoa is a city shaped by the sea, with a busy port framed by hills and centuries of trade. In the old town, narrow caruggi lead to grand squares and Romanesque churches. The Palazzi dei Rolli, a UNESCO-listed group of aristocratic residences, reveal the city’s former wealth. Walk the restored Porto Antico, then sit down to basil-scented pesto or freshly caught seafood. Genoa rewards those who explore on foot.
Villefranche-sur-Mer makes an unusually graceful first impression: pastel houses rise above one of the Riviera’s deepest natural harbors. Wander the old town’s narrow lanes, then visit the 16th-century citadel and its museums. Jean Cocteau’s painted Chapel of Saint-Pierre adds a distinctive local detail. Nearby trains connect you with Nice; roads lead to Èze and the wider Côte d’Azur.
Livorno rewards those who look beyond the cruise terminal. Its canals, built in the style of Venice, wind through historic Venezia Nuova. The seafront promenade leads to Terrazza Mascagni, where black-and-white paving frames the sea. At Mercato Centrale, locals shop beneath a vast iron-and-glass roof. Try cacciucco, the city’s rich fish stew. Florence and Pisa are within reach, but Livorno merits time of its own.
Your ship docks at Civitavecchia, Rome’s seaport, about 50 miles northwest of the capital. Rome’s great monuments are within reach, but the port town rewards a closer look. Walk the waterfront to Forte Michelangelo, a 16th-century fortress begun under Pope Julius II; explore the old streets and market. Prefer a quieter day? The town’s seafront and nearby beaches offer an easy change of pace. Choose Rome for art and antiquity, or Civitavecchia for coastal life beyond the terminal.
Published August 29, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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.
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