Everyone needs a holiday - perhaps now more than ever. The cost of living is forcing many households to work longer and harder.
So if you're wondering how to make the most of your annual leave and visit as many amazing destinations as you can without breaking the bank, MSC Cruises can help.
Whether you need a well-earned break now that your children have flown the nest, you're taking the kids on an experience of a lifetime, or you're a singleton looking to meet new friends and travel the world in luxury, there's something for you.
A key component of MSC Cruises' offerings is providing unique and enriching holiday experiences at the highest level for guests.
It knows your time is precious and wants to help you make the most of it.
And the good news is that you don't need to set sail on an epic voyage for a truly fantastic break.
For instance, MSC Cruises' amazing value-for-money Mediterranean Fly & Cruise holiday will take you to Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Messina, Valletta and back again in just seven days with prices starting at £1,469pp.
That really is a lot of exploring for not a lot of annual leave.
Holiday your way
With eye-popping scenery, historic cities, endless excursion possibilities, and short cruising distances, the Mediterranean is the perfect place to visit by ship.
MSC Cruises UK & Ireland Managing Director, Antonio Paradiso smiled: "I think there's something really special about this captivating destination.
"The intersection of these landscapes, histories, and cultures makes the Mediterranean one of our favourite destinations.
"With a cruise experience, you can drink in those sights and sounds in a stress-free way. There's no pressure on you at all.
"If you want to disembark the ship and visit romantic coastal towns, shop til you drop in the markets, eat in a local restaurant or see historic cultural sites, we have a host of excursions that offer options for every type of traveller.
"Equally, if you fancy a day just lazing around by the pool, watching a film, reading a book, enjoying a theatre show or watching the little ones at the Kids' Club, you'll also find that aboard the ship.
"In these uncertain times, you'll find it's great value too. Depending on your package, you can have everything included from food and drinks, to entertainment, and even your transport.
"So once you've paid, there are no worries about how much spending money you'll need - you can just relax, sit back and enjoy your holiday."
Tell me more about this Mediterranean cruise
Picture the scene. You start your fabulous cruise by flying straight to beautiful Barcelona from London Heathrow with British Airways or Dublin Airport with Aer Lingus, all conveniently organised thanks to Fly & Cruise packages.
With the flight you will get to where you're going much faster, leaving more time to explore the exciting ports on your itinerary.
Once in Barcelona, you'll board the brand-new and ground-breaking MSC World Europa - described as 'The Future Of Cruising' and designed to 'elevate the delights of a traditional cruise ship to entirely new levels'.
Bringing together innovative technologies and industry-first design features, it truly has to be seen to be believed.
From thereon in, you'll enjoy an enriching, stress-free and safe cruise experience, sampling international dining, thrilling world-class entertainment, award-winning family programmes, and the very latest user-friendly technology onboard.
You only need to unpack once and your cabin will be your home for the duration of the trip - all the better to savour the sights, aromas, and sounds of the many different destinations along the way...
Six destinations in seven days
Day 1 - Barcelona
One of the most sought-after cruise ports in the Mediterranean, Barcelona is known for its iconic architecture, colourful culture, and world-class drinking and dining. Explore Antoni Gaudí’s breathtaking Sagrada Família, the famous Las Ramblas boulevard, the medieval Barri Gótic, and the Museu Picasso, as well as hidden tapas bars, fabulous food markets and Europe’s biggest football stadium.
Day 2 - Marseille
On the spectacular coastline of the French Riviera lies Marseille. This atmospheric port city is known for its unique mix of cultures, as well as its labyrinth of streets and historical architecture. Travel just a few miles from Marseille’s charismatic cafes and bustling Vieux Port to visit Aix-en-Provence, the birthplace of Cézanne, or take in the ancient beauty of Avignon.
Day 3 - Genoa
Genoa is eclectic, vibrant and full of style. Explore its old town - a warren of medieval alleyways home to large 16th- and 17th-century palazzi now transformed into museums and galleries. Seek out the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, the Palazzo Ducale, and the Renaissance palaces of Via Garibaldi. The Acquario di Genova boasts 70 tanks housing sea creatures from all the world’s major habitats. Just 35 km south of Genoa you'll find Portofino, a tiny A-list town with a plethora of fancy shops, bars and restaurants.
Day 4 - Naples
Naples is a vast Mediterranean port with a centre that has many different aspects just waiting to be discovered. Take an excursion to Pompeii, which was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, and to the glamorous island of Capri, home to the mythical Sirens and the much-eulogised playground of the super-rich. Naples is also the birthplace of pizza so be sure to find a moment to enjoy an authentic slice or two in a local pizzeria.
Messina may well be your first sight of Sicily, the city travelling up the hillside beyond its harbour. One of its most important monuments, the Duomo, is reputed to be the largest astronomical clock in the world and puts on its best show at noon every day, when a bronze lion unleashes a mighty roar over the city. Just beyond the Duomo, the 12th-century Chiesa Annunziata dei Catalani is Messina’s only surviving example of Arab/Norman church-building. Take an excursion to the charming hill town of Taormina, located on a rocky bluff between the Ionian Sea and the peak of Mount Etna.
Day 6 - Malta
Valletta, the capital of Malta, is one of the must-see stops for every Mediterranean cruise. It offers more than 300 historical attractions in just half a square kilometre, as well as beaches, seaside locales and restaurants. Valletta boasts many churches including one of Malta’s biggest attractions, the St John’s Co-Cathedral. By the Grand Harbour, you can visit the underground passages of Auberge de Castille and the beautiful Baracca Gardens. To get a taste of the life of Malta’s ancient nobility, visit Casa Rocca Piccola - a 16th-century Palazzo.
Day 7 - Barcelona
And like waking from a dream, you're back in Barcelona - relaxed, reinvigorated, refreshed and ready to return home.
Even more great-value holidays
If the Mediterranean cruise doesn't float your boat, check out these other great-value holidays courtesy of MSC Cruises:
Northern Europe sailing from the UK – Summer 2023
Ship:MSC Virtuosa
Date: June 3, 2023
Duration: 14 nights
Destinations: Southampton, Greenock, Stornoway, Isafjordur, Reykjavik, Alesund, Maloy, Flaam
Price: From £1,089pp
Caribbean & Antilles - Fly & Cruise Summer 2023
Ship:MSC Meraviglia
Date: May 25, 2023
Duration: 10 nights (3 nights in New York City and 7 nights on board)
Destinations: New York, Port Canaveral, Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve
Airport: Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JKF)
Airline: Delta Airlines
Outbound flight: May 25, 2023
Inbound flight: June 04, 2023
Price: From £1,129
This package includes a return flight from Edinburgh to New York City, a 3-night stay in the city (3 hotels to choose from), a guided city tour and 7 nights on board.
Egypt, Red Sea & Saudi Arabia Cruises – Winter 2023/24
Ship: MSC Orchestra
Date: November 19, 2023
Duration: 7 nights
Destinations: Safaga, Jeddah, Aqaba (Petra), Sharm el-Sheikh, Sokhna
Price: From £459
Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Qatar Cruise – Winter 2023/24
Ship:MSC Virtuosa
Date: December 1, 2023
Duration: 6 nights
Destinations: Qatar, Sir Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Saudi Arabia
Price: From £549pp
Caribbean & Antilles - Fly & Cruise Winter 2023/24
Ship:MSC Seaside
Date: December 12, 2023
Duration: 14 nights
Destinations: Bridgetown (Barbados), Port of Spain, Saint George, Fort de France, Pointe-a-Pitre, Roseau, Philipsburg, St John’s, Basseterre, Castries
Airport: London Gatwick LGW to Barbados BGI (return)
Airline: British Airways
Price: From £2,699
Discover your dream destination with our fun quiz
If you STILL can't decide where you want to go, we'll make things nice and easy for you.
Take our short Dream Destination Decider quiz, above, to discover your next perfect holiday with MSC Cruises.
Don't forget to encourage friends and family to take the test as well.
Share and compare results and who knows, maybe you'll even uncover the perfect travel buddy too.
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