Italy Cruise from Civitavecchia to Istanbul — 7 Days

6 nights · Italy · Departs Civitavecchia-Rome (Italy) · Visiting Messina, Katakolon, Rhodes Island, Istanbul · Aboard Cunard on the Queen Elizabeth

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Queen Elizabeth
Civitavecchia Cruise Port: Shore Excursions & Expert Guide Messina Cruise Port: Shore Excursions & Expert Guide Katakolon Cruise Port Rhodes Cruise Port
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Cruise lineCunard
ShipQueen Elizabeth
Duration6 nights
Port calls5
Departures1 sailings
From fare$1,819 per person
Year built2010
Guests2503
Cabins1043
Crew900
Length293 m
Beam32 m
Cruising speed24.0 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 3

    Katakolon, Greece

    Katakolon is a compact seaside port on the western Peloponnese, with cafés and shops lining its waterfront. Most visitors come for ancient Olympia, about 35 kilometres inland and readily reached by road. There, the sanctuary, archaeological museum and ancient stadium bring the story of the Olympic Games into focus. Back in Katakolon, allow time for a stroll along the harbour before returning to your ship.

  4. Day 5

    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.

  5. Day 7

    Istanbul, Turkey

    Istanbul makes a compelling first impression: minarets rise above the Bosphorus, while ferries cross between Europe and Asia. On the historic peninsula, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace place centuries of empire within walking distance. Istanbul rewards curiosity beyond its landmarks. Browse the Grand Bazaar, linger over Turkish coffee, then take a ferry to the Asian shore. Allow time for traffic and queues; the city’s scale is part of the experience.

Queen Elizabeth Cruises

Published September 13, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard

Cruise Disclosure

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