2022 Italy Cruise Departure Ports

If you are trying to narrow down your Italy cruise vacation options, discover what you can expect in departure ports such as Venice, Rome, or Barcelona.

Venice, Italy

Venice is one of the most beautiful and magical cities in the world. The views while sailing are spectacular as you cruise from Venice. No matter what your interests are, Venice offers something for everyone. Movie buffs enjoy wandering around and checking out filming locations for the dozens of movies filmed here. Food lovers can eat their way through the city, especially at iconic cicchetti bars. Enjoy some high-end shopping, visit the beautiful glass-blowing island of Murano, and be sure to stop in at Harry's Bar to have a Bellini in its birthplace. If you are short on time after your cruise ends, but you still want to explore Venice, consider booking a Venice Highlights with Transfer excursion. This five-hour tour takes you through the main highlights of Venice before dropping you off at the airport for your flight.

Rome, Italy

A cruise from Rome is out of the Civitavecchia Port, which is just over an hour's drive away from Rome itself. If you plan to spend a few days in Rome before your cruise, you'll discover plenty to see and do. You can book a variety of shore excursions as well. Explore iconic sights such as the Vatican and the Vatican Museums, where you can marvel at the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, and more. Unsure what to do? Book the Ultimate Rome excursion that will take you to the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Vatican Museums.

If you want to visit more than Rome itself, consider spending the day in Orvieto, a village in Umbria. On the drive, you'll pass beautiful tiny villages and medieval castles and churches. Another option is Tarquinia, an Etruscan city not far from Civitavecchia. It's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its Etruscan Necropolis and 15th-century Gothic-style castle.

Depending on the itinerary you choose, you may be on a cruise to Rome. It's a port city on many Italy cruises departing from other destinations.

Barcelona, Spain

You could choose a cruise from Barcelona, pick an Italy cruise that stops in Barcelona, or select a trans-Atlantic cruise that departs from Rome. When in Barcelona, take advantage of your time and save money at the same time.

Consider purchasing the Barcelona Unlimited Attraction Pass that includes entrance fees and transportation costs to some of the city's most popular attractions. You'll use the hop-on-hop-off buses, and you'll have the ability to skip lines. An attraction pass is an ideal option since you get to choose what attractions you get to see. Popular options include Antoni Gaudi's Church of the Sacred Family, UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Colònia Güell, the Aquarium Barcelona, and more.

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Ports To Visit On an 2022 Italy Cruise

Norwegian cruise vacations include different stops in Italy in addition to Venice and Rome.

Naples

Narrowing down how to spend your day in Naples may be one of the most challenging aspects of this port city. You can stay local, explore attractions, and sample all the delicious eats, including some of the best pizzas in the world. Head toward iconic attractions such as Pompeii, where you can learn about the deadly Mount Vesuvius eruption that devastated the area. Other options include exploring coastal towns, such as Sorrento, or other islands, such as Capri.

Messina (Sicily)

Messina is the third-largest city in Sicily. In Messina's port, you'll find beautiful architecture and stunning views. It is hard to believe that much of the architecture managed to survive an earthquake followed by a tidal wave in 1908. To explore more of Sicily, consider booking an excursion to Taormina and Castelmola, where you can spend the day getting to know these two medieval villages.

Another option is Savoca and Forza d'Agro which takes you to these two other villages. Savoca is both beautiful and has an important artistic heritage. In Forza d'Agro, don't miss the views overlooking the Arab-Norman castle of Capo Sant'Alessio and the coastline. You can also explore options to do some wine tasting, learn about prior volcanic eruptions, and more.

Florence and Pisa (Livorno)

In Florence, don't miss attractions such as the famous Leaning Tower in Pisa or Michelangelo's David. You can also embark on a Pisa tower climb! Take a cruise along the Ligurian coast or explore Tuscany and do some wine tasting. Visit the famous seaside area of Cinque Terre. You can also book an excursion to visit the medieval town of San Gimignano and have lunch at a nearby farm. Another option from Florence is to take a Jeep tour of the marble quarries in the Apuan Alps, where you can see how craftspeople have excavated the world-famous Carrara marble for centuries.

Now all that remains for you is to decide which Italy cruise you are booking. While you are making up your mind, don't forget to sign up for Norwegian cruise deals. You'll get all the latest specials and offers delivered right to your inbox.