Italy Cruise from Civitavecchia to Durban — 26 Days

25 nights · Italy · Departs Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy) · Visiting Messina, Rhodes Island, Limassol, Alexandria, Suez Canal, Sharm El Sheikh, Safaga, Mahe Island Seychelles, Port Louis, Saint-Denis, Durban · Aboard MSC Cruises on the MSC Sinfonia

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MSC Sinfonia
Civitavecchia Cruise Port: Shore Excursions & Expert Guide Messina Cruise Port: Shore Excursions & Expert Guide Rhodes Cruise Port Limassol Cruise Port: Shore Excursions & Expert Guide
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Cruise lineMSC Cruises
ShipMSC Sinfonia
Duration25 nights
Port calls12
Departures1 sailings
From fare$2,013 per person
Year built2002
Guests2340
Cabins975
Crew721
Length275 m
Beam32 m
Cruising speed21.0 kn
  1. Day 1

    Civitavecchia-Rome, Italy

    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.

  2. Day 2

    Messina, Italy

    Messina faces Calabria across the narrow Strait of Messina, with mainland Italy visible from its waterfront. At noon, figures move across the cathedral’s clock tower, a daily spectacle best seen from the square. Nearby, Montorsoli’s 16th-century Fountain of Orion rewards a closer look. Excursions reach Taormina and Mount Etna, but Messina’s compact center also merits an unhurried walk.

  3. Day 4

    Rhodes Island, Greece

    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.

  4. Day 5

    Limassol, Cyprus

    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.

  5. Day 6

    Alexandria, Egypt

    Alexandria rewards travellers who look beyond its famous name. Founded by Alexander the Great, Egypt’s Mediterranean city brings Greek, Roman and modern histories to a lively waterfront. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina recalls the ancient library, while Roman catacombs reveal a city shaped by many cultures. Leave time for seafood beside the harbour and a walk along the Corniche. Here, the past remains part of daily life.

  6. Day 7

    Suez Canal, Egypt

    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.

  7. Day 9

    Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

    At Sinai’s southern tip, Sharm el-Sheikh sets the Red Sea against a spare landscape of mountains and desert. Its clear waters and coral gardens draw divers and snorkelers, with Ras Mohammed National Park among the region’s marine reserves. Naama Bay has cafés and shops; the Old Market offers spices, produce, and a glimpse of everyday local trade. Beyond the resorts, a drive into the Sinai interior reveals rugged peaks and broad desert horizons.

  8. Day 10

    Safaga, Egypt

    Safaga is a working Red Sea port, with little to detain you at the quayside. Its value is access to Luxor, roughly 220 kilometres inland. At Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, and Hatshepsut’s temple, ancient Thebes becomes tangible. Prefer the coast? Safaga’s clear waters invite diving and snorkelling, while steady winds attract water-sports enthusiasts. Choose your day before leaving the ship; long road journeys make improvisation costly.

  9. Day 18

    Mahe Island Seychelles, Seychelles

    Mahé is the Seychelles’ largest island, where granite peaks rise above beaches and a capital built beside the sea. In Victoria, browse the lively market, see the miniature Big Ben clock tower, and visit the National Museum of History. Beyond town, winding roads lead to botanical gardens, quiet coves and viewpoints over the Indian Ocean. Choose a beach day or a drive across the island; Mahé makes both easy.

  10. Day 21

    Port Louis, Mauritius

    Port Louis brings Mauritius into focus: a working harbour, a lively market and green volcanic peaks behind the city. Start at Central Market, where vendors sell tropical fruit, spices and street food. Nearby, the Blue Penny Museum traces the island’s maritime and postal history. Fort Adelaide rewards the climb with broad harbour views. Allow time for the waterfront’s restaurants and shops; this is a port best explored on foot.

  11. Day 22

    Saint-Denis, France

    Saint-Denis is Réunion’s compact, French-speaking capital, set between the Indian Ocean and the island’s steep volcanic interior. Walk Rue de Paris past Creole mansions to Jardin de l’État, then visit the nearby museums. At the Petit Marché, island produce and spices fill the stalls; the Grand Marché showcases local crafts. Come ashore for architecture and local life, then look inland: Réunion’s dramatic mountain landscapes begin just beyond town.

  12. Day 26

    Durban

    Durban meets the Indian Ocean on South Africa’s east coast, with long beaches and cosmopolitan energy. Along the Golden Mile, the beachfront promenade offers a bracing walk and views of Moses Mabhida Stadium. Try bunny chow, the city’s celebrated curry-filled bread, then browse spices and crafts at Victoria Street Market. Durban’s Zulu heritage and Indian influence give the city a character—and a cuisine—well worth exploring.

MSC Sinfonia Cruises

Published August 15, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard

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