Eastern Mediterranean from Marseilles

Itinerary

Day 6 Jun 3, 2027 Palermo 08:00 – 17:00 9.0 hrs ashore The capital of Sicily is situated on a crescent-shaped bay on the island's north coast. Once the intellectual capital of southern Europe, Palermo has always been at the crossroads of civilization. Due to its favourable location, Sicily's most interesting city has attracted almost every people and culture touching the Mediterranean world. Its most unique characteristic is a harmonious blend of Arab-Norman cultures mixed with Byzantine and Jewish elements, which created some unforgettable and resplendent works of art. Phoenician traders first colonized Palermo in the 6th-century BC, but it was the Carthaginians, who built the important fortress here that caught the covetous eye of the Romans. After the first Punic War, the Romans took control of the city in the 3rd-century BC. Following several invasions by the Vandals, Sicily was settled by Arabs, who made the country an emirate and Palermo a showpiece capital that rivalled in splendour both Cordoba and Cairo. The city became a magical place of palaces and mosques, minarets and palm trees. In the 11th-century Palermo was conquered by the Norman ruler, Roger de Hauteville. During the Normans' hundred-year occupation, the city experienced a remarkable period of enlightenment and a flourishing of the arts. Counting a population of more than 300,000, Palermo became the centre of Norman rule and one of the most important trading centres between East and West. Eventually, Palermo was incorporated into the “Kingdom of the Two Sicilies” under the Swabian ruler Frederick II, known as the Holy Roman Emperor. After the bloody Sicilian Vespers uprising in 1282, the Spanish took control and brought the Inquisition to Palermo. Some historians believe that the nature of the Inquisition helped foster the protective secret societies that eventually evolved into the Mafia. Today, visitors can still experience the legacy of Palermo's rich past. Great Arab-Norman buildings include the Cappella Palatina, La Martorana, San Giovanni degli Eremiti and, a few miles outside the city, the Cathedral of Monreale. Palermo's bustling streets and animated markets give the town an Oriental feel. The Quattro Canti, or Four Corners, is the monumental crossroads laid out in 1608-1620 at the central intersection of the four longest and straightest streets of the city. North of Piazza Castelnuovo lie the avenues of the new city. Most sights are scattered along three major streets: Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Via Maqueda and Via Roma. A vigorous metropolis with a strong historical profile, Palermo is packed with interesting sights, which make it an enriching and enjoyable place to explore. Palermo port guide Search cruises visiting Palermo

Palermo photo — Day 6 Jun 3, 2027 Palermo 08:00 – 17:00 9.0 hrs ashore The capital of Sicily is situated on a crescent-shaped bay on the island's north coast. Once the intellectual capital of southern Europe, Palermo has always been at the crossroads of civilization. Due to its favourable location, Sicily's most interesting city has attracted almost every people and culture touching the Mediterranean world. Its most unique characteristic is a harmonious blend of Arab-Norman cultures mixed with Byzantine and Jewish elements, which created some unforgettable and resplendent works of art. Phoenician traders first colonized Palermo in the 6th-century BC, but it was the Carthaginians, who built the important fortress here that caught the covetous eye of the Romans. After the first Punic War, the Romans took control of the city in the 3rd-century BC. Following several invasions by the Vandals, Sicily was settled by Arabs, who made the country an emirate and Palermo a showpiece capital that rivalled in splendour both Cordoba and Cairo. The city became a magical place of palaces and mosques, minarets and palm trees. In the 11th-century Palermo was conquered by the Norman ruler, Roger de Hauteville. During the Normans' hundred-year occupation, the city experienced a remarkable period of enlightenment and a flourishing of the arts. Counting a population of more than 300,000, Palermo became the centre of Norman rule and one of the most important trading centres between East and West. Eventually, Palermo was incorporated into the “Kingdom of the Two Sicilies” under the Swabian ruler Frederick II, known as the Holy Roman Emperor. After the bloody Sicilian Vespers uprising in 1282, the Spanish took control and brought the Inquisition to Palermo. Some historians believe that the nature of the Inquisition helped foster the protective secret societies that eventually evolved into the Mafia. Today, visitors can still experience the legacy of Palermo's rich past. Great Arab-Norman buildings include the Cappella Palatina, La Martorana, San Giovanni degli Eremiti and, a few miles outside the city, the Cathedral of Monreale. Palermo's bustling streets and animated markets give the town an Oriental feel. The Quattro Canti, or Four Corners, is the monumental crossroads laid out in 1608-1620 at the central intersection of the four longest and straightest streets of the city. North of Piazza Castelnuovo lie the avenues of the new city. Most sights are scattered along three major streets: Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Via Maqueda and Via Roma. A vigorous metropolis with a strong historical profile, Palermo is packed with interesting sights, which make it an enriching and enjoyable place to explore. Palermo port guide Search cruises visiting Palermo

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 90-day span: $1,444 · range $1,444–$1,754

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

from $1,446

$131 / night

Fare rows

Interior

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,446

$131 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Interior

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,476

$134 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Interior

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,506

$136 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Interior

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,526

$138 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Oceanview

from $1,786

$162 / night

Fare rows

Oceanview

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,786

$162 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Oceanview

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,856

$168 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Balcony

from $2,076

$188 / night

Fare rows

Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,076

$188 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,126

$193 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Suite

from $3,466

$315 / night

Fare rows

Suite with Balcony

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,466

$315 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Grand Suite

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,926

$356 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Prices verified Jun 23, 2026

Prices come from third-party data feeds via Costa Cruises and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works

Show all 28 cabin grades

Name	Supplier code	Type
Balcony	B1	Balcony
Balcony	B2	Balcony
Balcony	B3	Balcony
Balcony Group	BA1	Balcony
Balcony Group	BA2	Balcony
Classic Outside with Balcony	BC	Balcony
Premium Outside with Balcony	BP	Balcony
Balcony Guarantee	BV	Balcony
Single Inside	CI	Inside
Interior	I1	Inside
Interior	I2	Inside
Interior	I3	Inside
Interior	I4	Inside
Classic Inside Stateroom	IC	Inside
Interior Group ( I1 + I2 )	IN1	Inside
Interior Group ( I3 + I4 )	IN2	Inside
Premium Inside Stateroom	IP	Inside
Inside Guarantee	IV	Inside
Single Oceanview	CE	Oceanview
Oceanview	E1	Oceanview
Oceanview	E2	Oceanview
Classic Outside with Window	EC	Oceanview
Premium Outside with Window	EP	Oceanview
Oceanview Group ( E1 + E2 )	ET1	Oceanview
Outside Guarantee	EV	Oceanview
Grand Suite	GS	Suite
Mini Suite with Balcony	MS	Suite
Suite with Balcony	S	Suite

Ship

Your ship Costa Serena 4★ **114,147** GT **3,780** guests Built **2006** Let yourself be seduced by the unique elegance and enticing atmosphere of the goddess of the sea: Costa Serena is a ship inspired by classical legends. Jupiter, Apollo, Bacchus, Clio... all the divinities of the ancient world will captivate you with their singular charm and golden aura in every area of the ship. A ship inspired by fun, well-being and relaxation: bars and restaurants, spacious, panoramic decks, swimming pools covered by a sliding glass roof, virtual reality and sports areas in which to challenge your friends as you sail the ocean waves. 6,000 square metres of space devoted to well-being and arranged across two floors, one measuring 2,100 square metres, entirely given over to the Samsara Spa, one of the largest spas currently in existence on a cruise ship. Costa Serena ship guide Search cruises on Costa Serena

Eastern Mediterranean from Marseilles

Itinerary

Pricing

Current prices

Inside

Oceanview

Balcony

Suite

Price history

Ship

Similar cruises

Compare similar cruises