First Trip to Italy: Try a Cruise

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Advisor - Josh Thompson
Curated By

Josh Thompson

  • Cruises

  • Italy

  • France

  • Croatia

  • Spain

  • Europe

  • Bucket List

First Trip to Italy: Try a Cruise
Curator’s statement

Italy and the Mediterranean are amazing destinations but which region or city is right for you? This is a question that I was grappling with last year. I learned that a cruise is a great way to check out several locations throughout southern Europe and it helped me identify where I'd want to spend more time.

The Fora Difference

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Insider knowledge

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Where to stay

Norwegian Cruise Line

Known for its laid-back culture and ambiance, Norwegian Cruise Line offers trips to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska Cruises, Hawaii and Europe.

Hyatt Centric Murano Venice

Experience the artistic allure of Venice from the comfort of Hyatt Centric Murano Venice, where contemporary design, island tranquility and a convenient location on the island of Murano create a unique and memorable stay in the heart of the Venetian Lagoon.

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    Breakfast daily.

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    Welcome amenity.

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    Upgrade & extended check-in/out, whenever possible.

Unlock perks by contacting Josh to book your trip.

In early 2023, I decided that I wanted to visit Italy, but having never been there, I didn't know where exactly I wanted to go. Over the last few years I had been gravitating towards cruises, so I decided to try a Mediterranean cruise. Wow, I'm so glad I did. Turns out that a cruise is a great way to learn about many different locations without having to make too much of a commitment.

I took an 11-day cruise on the beautiful Norwegian Epic, which embarked in Trieste, Italy — near Venice — and disembarked in Marseille, France. The cruise itself stopped in Dubrovnik, Croatia; Naples, Rome and Livorno (near Florence/Pisa), Italy; Barcelona, Spain; and Cannes and Marseille, France. An extra benefit of this cruise's itinerary was that it included overnights in Livorno, which allowed me to visit both Florence and Pisa, as well as an overnight in Barcelona. I also arrived in Venice, Italy, two days before the cruise to visit Venice and ensure I arrived to the ship on time.

If you've never been to Europe, I highly recommend a cruise, as it is a great way to visit several locations and learn just enough about it to determine if it's a location you'd like to spend more time in.

The Roman Colosseum from a balcony across the street with trees in front.


Cruises allow you to unpack your belongings once and tour the various stops without having to move your luggage.

I would definitely recommend adding time at the beginning and possibly the end of your cruise to allow time to explore another location while also giving you time to adapt to any delays or challenges you may occur while getting to/from the ship.

The Sagrada Familia in Barcelona under construction

If there's an area or location that you especially interested in, consider looking for an itinerary that contains an overnight stop in that area.

Need to know

Venice, Italy no longer allows most cruise ships to dock in the city center. However, Trieste is a beautiful Italian city on the Adriatic Sea, just a two-hour train ride from Venice. The trains in Italy are very clean and easy to navigate.

The Hyatt Centric Murano Venice was a beautiful hotel with a wonderful restaurant — I recommend the Tomahawk steak.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Italy. In need of further inspiration? Check out Jonah Muyano’s guide, Things to Do in Amalfi, Italy.

Advisor - Josh Thompson

Travel Advisor

Josh Thompson

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