7 nights Western Mediterranean from Messina (Taormina)

The 7 nights Western Mediterranean from Messina (Taormina) is a 7-night Mediterranean cruise aboard MSC World Asia, operated by MSC Cruises. Departing Messina, Italy on December 29, 2026, the voyage visits 6 ports. Fares start from $1,846 per person.

Length: 7 nights
Departs: Dec 29, 2026
Returns: Jan 5, 2027
Ports of call: 6
Days at sea: 1

from $1,846

$263 / night per person, incl. taxes & fees

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Itinerary

Day 1 Dec 29, 2026 Messina, Italy Departs 20:00 Messina may well be your first sight of Sicily, and – from your MSC holiday cruise ship – it’s a fine one, the glittering town spread up the hillside beyond its sickle-shaped Mediterranean harbour. On a shore excursion you can discover Messina’s most important monument, the Duomo, which epitomizes the city’s phoenix-like ability to re-create itself from the ashes of its last disaster. It’s the reconstruction of a twelfth-century cathedral erected by Roger II, one of a series of great Norman churches of Sicily that include the sumptuous cathedrals of Palermo and Cefalù. The Duomo’s detached campanile, or bell tower, claims to be the largest astronomical clock in the world, and puts on its best show at noon every day, when a bronze lion (Messina’s ancient emblem) unleashes a mighty roar over the city that can be quite alarming if you’re not expecting it! Just back from the Duomo, the truncated section of the twelfth-century Chiesa Annunziata dei Catalani squats below pavement level, and is Messina’s only surviving example of Arab/Norman church-building. When you are cruising the Mediterranean Sea with MSC Cruises, the most obvious excursion from Messina is to the almost too charming hill town of Taormina, spectacularly located on a rocky bluff between the Ionian Sea and the soaring peak of Mount Etna, whose summit with its bleak lava wilderness is one of the most memorable landscapes Italy has to offer. Once the beloved retreat of poets and writers, Taormina is now the most illustrious resort on the entire island, captivating its visitors with its famous ancient theatre, grand hotels and engaging small-town charm. Messina, Italy port guide Search cruises visiting Messina, Italy

Messina, Italy photo — Day 1 Dec 29, 2026 Messina, Italy Departs 20:00 Messina may well be your first sight of Sicily, and – from your MSC holiday cruise ship – it’s a fine one, the glittering town spread up the hillside beyond its sickle-shaped Mediterranean harbour. On a shore excursion you can discover Messina’s most important monument, the Duomo, which epitomizes the city’s phoenix-like ability to re-create itself from the ashes of its last disaster. It’s the reconstruction of a twelfth-century cathedral erected by Roger II, one of a series of great Norman churches of Sicily that include the sumptuous cathedrals of Palermo and Cefalù. The Duomo’s detached campanile, or bell tower, claims to be the largest astronomical clock in the world, and puts on its best show at noon every day, when a bronze lion (Messina’s ancient emblem) unleashes a mighty roar over the city that can be quite alarming if you’re not expecting it! Just back from the Duomo, the truncated section of the twelfth-century Chiesa Annunziata dei Catalani squats below pavement level, and is Messina’s only surviving example of Arab/Norman church-building. When you are cruising the Mediterranean Sea with MSC Cruises, the most obvious excursion from Messina is to the almost too charming hill town of Taormina, spectacularly located on a rocky bluff between the Ionian Sea and the soaring peak of Mount Etna, whose summit with its bleak lava wilderness is one of the most memorable landscapes Italy has to offer. Once the beloved retreat of poets and writers, Taormina is now the most illustrious resort on the entire island, captivating its visitors with its famous ancient theatre, grand hotels and engaging small-town charm. Messina, Italy port guide Search cruises visiting Messina, Italy

Day 2 Dec 30, 2026 Malta 09:00 – 17:00 8.0 hrs ashore The UNESCO-protected port of Valletta, the capital of the island of Malta, is one of the must-see stops for every Mediterranean cruise of merit. You can admire this port, constructed in the second half of the 16th century by the Frenchman Jean de la Valette and moulded by the religious and military Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, from your MSC ship even before disembarking. The over 300 monuments rising in little more than half a square kilometre make this a place with one of the greatest density of historical attractions to visit during a cruise, not mentioning other attractions such as its beaches, seaside locales and restaurants. An excursion to the island can start right from its capital, Valletta, which enchants the cruise-goer with its famous Maltese balconies, which decorate the facades of houses in its old quarter. Surrounded by a multitude of churches, which the islanders assure are as many as the days of the year, the St. John’s Co-Cathedral is one of Malta’s biggest tourist attractions. The National Museum of Archaeology, on the other hand, hosts prehistoric artefacts found on the island. By the Grand Harbour, one can visit the underground passages of Auberge de Castille and the beautiful Baracca Gardens, which overlook the harbour; at night, when the city gates would close, its porticoes served as shelter for travellers. To get a taste of the life of Malta’s ancient nobility, visit Casa Rocca Piccola. A 16th century Palazzo now the residence of the 9th Marquis De Piro, it has period furnishings and has a bomb shelter built for protection against bombings during the Second World War. The set of the film Popeye can still be seen from Malta’s largest beach, as well as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha with a fresco of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Christ; according to tradition, Saint Luke, who was shipwrecked on the island with Saint Paul, is the author of this Byzantine-style fresco. Malta port guide Search cruises visiting Malta

Malta photo — Day 2 Dec 30, 2026 Malta 09:00 – 17:00 8.0 hrs ashore The UNESCO-protected port of Valletta, the capital of the island of Malta, is one of the must-see stops for every Mediterranean cruise of merit. You can admire this port, constructed in the second half of the 16th century by the Frenchman Jean de la Valette and moulded by the religious and military Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, from your MSC ship even before disembarking. The over 300 monuments rising in little more than half a square kilometre make this a place with one of the greatest density of historical attractions to visit during a cruise, not mentioning other attractions such as its beaches, seaside locales and restaurants. An excursion to the island can start right from its capital, Valletta, which enchants the cruise-goer with its famous Maltese balconies, which decorate the facades of houses in its old quarter. Surrounded by a multitude of churches, which the islanders assure are as many as the days of the year, the St. John’s Co-Cathedral is one of Malta’s biggest tourist attractions. The National Museum of Archaeology, on the other hand, hosts prehistoric artefacts found on the island. By the Grand Harbour, one can visit the underground passages of Auberge de Castille and the beautiful Baracca Gardens, which overlook the harbour; at night, when the city gates would close, its porticoes served as shelter for travellers. To get a taste of the life of Malta’s ancient nobility, visit Casa Rocca Piccola. A 16th century Palazzo now the residence of the 9th Marquis De Piro, it has period furnishings and has a bomb shelter built for protection against bombings during the Second World War. The set of the film Popeye can still be seen from Malta’s largest beach, as well as the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha with a fresco of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Christ; according to tradition, Saint Luke, who was shipwrecked on the island with Saint Paul, is the author of this Byzantine-style fresco. Malta port guide Search cruises visiting Malta

Day 4 Jan 1, 2027 Barcelona 08:00 – 18:00 10.0 hrs ashore On the northeast coast of Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean, Barcelona is a vibrant port city, packed with centuries of iconic art and architecture—Gaudí and Picasso both called it home—and lined with sunny white-sand beaches. Explore the Catalan capital's tourist attractions and historic neighborhoods, Modernisme and world-renowned art museums, galleries and local crafts shops—some of which are centuries old and stock traditional Catalan wares. After you see the sights, there are lively tapas bars around every corner where you can stop for a drink, a café amb llet (Catalan for espresso with steamed milk) or a snack, no matter the hour. Green spaces for picnics, long walks and respite from the hustle and bustle are scattered throughout Barcelona's attractions: There's Gaudí's mosaic-decorated park, a neoclassical maze at the Laberint d'Horta, as well as plenty of high places (mountains, monuments and edifices) where sightseeing visitors can take in the view. A short trip from Barcelona by car or train, luxury outlets, cava wineries, a mountaintop abbey and the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean coast await. Barcelona port guide Search cruises visiting Barcelona

Barcelona photo — Day 4 Jan 1, 2027 Barcelona 08:00 – 18:00 10.0 hrs ashore On the northeast coast of Spain, overlooking the Mediterranean, Barcelona is a vibrant port city, packed with centuries of iconic art and architecture—Gaudí and Picasso both called it home—and lined with sunny white-sand beaches. Explore the Catalan capital's tourist attractions and historic neighborhoods, Modernisme and world-renowned art museums, galleries and local crafts shops—some of which are centuries old and stock traditional Catalan wares. After you see the sights, there are lively tapas bars around every corner where you can stop for a drink, a café amb llet (Catalan for espresso with steamed milk) or a snack, no matter the hour. Green spaces for picnics, long walks and respite from the hustle and bustle are scattered throughout Barcelona's attractions: There's Gaudí's mosaic-decorated park, a neoclassical maze at the Laberint d'Horta, as well as plenty of high places (mountains, monuments and edifices) where sightseeing visitors can take in the view. A short trip from Barcelona by car or train, luxury outlets, cava wineries, a mountaintop abbey and the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean coast await. Barcelona port guide Search cruises visiting Barcelona

Day 5 Jan 2, 2027 Marseille, France 08:00 – 18:00 10.0 hrs ashore Marseille is the second largest city in France after Paris. It is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Mediterranean. Cave paintings in the nearby Calanques are estimated to be 30,000 years old, and remains of brick habitations date from 6,000 BCE. The more recent history begins with a Hellenic port in about 600 BCE, some remains of which are on view at the city’s History Museum. It has been one of the world’s major seaports almost from its founding, and served as the main European terminus of the French colonial empire in Africa and the Far East. It is located in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region and is the capital of the Bouches-du-Rhone department. On an island in the expansive bay of Marseille stands the prison of Chateau d’If made famous by the Alexandre Dumas novel “The Count of Monte Cristo.” The Vieux-Port with its atmospheric buildings and wharves is the area where visitors can search for the perfect example of the local specialty bouillabaisse, a rich fish stew containing at least three, and often more varieties of local fishes. Marseille’s newly renovated port at the venerable Joliette Docks is situated very close to the striking Cathédrale de la Major and the fascinating collections at the Museum of African, Oceanic and American Indian Arts. Marseille, France port guide Search cruises visiting Marseille, France

Marseille, France photo — Day 5 Jan 2, 2027 Marseille, France 08:00 – 18:00 10.0 hrs ashore Marseille is the second largest city in France after Paris. It is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Mediterranean. Cave paintings in the nearby Calanques are estimated to be 30,000 years old, and remains of brick habitations date from 6,000 BCE. The more recent history begins with a Hellenic port in about 600 BCE, some remains of which are on view at the city’s History Museum. It has been one of the world’s major seaports almost from its founding, and served as the main European terminus of the French colonial empire in Africa and the Far East. It is located in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region and is the capital of the Bouches-du-Rhone department. On an island in the expansive bay of Marseille stands the prison of Chateau d’If made famous by the Alexandre Dumas novel “The Count of Monte Cristo.” The Vieux-Port with its atmospheric buildings and wharves is the area where visitors can search for the perfect example of the local specialty bouillabaisse, a rich fish stew containing at least three, and often more varieties of local fishes. Marseille’s newly renovated port at the venerable Joliette Docks is situated very close to the striking Cathédrale de la Major and the fascinating collections at the Museum of African, Oceanic and American Indian Arts. Marseille, France port guide Search cruises visiting Marseille, France

Day 6 Jan 3, 2027 Genoa, Italy 08:00 – 18:00 10.0 hrs ashore Genoa is marvellously eclectic, vibrant and full of rough-edged style; it’s a great cruise excursion. Indeed “La Superba” (The Superb), as it was known at the height of its authority as a Mediterranean superpower, boasts more zest and intrigue than all the surrounding coastal resorts put together. During a holiday to Genoa you can explore its old town: a dense and fascinating warren of medieval alleyways home to large palazzi built in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries by Genoa’s wealthy mercantile families and now transformed into museums and art galleries. You should seek out the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, the Palazzo Ducale, and the Renaissance palaces of Via Garibaldi which contain the cream of Genoa’s art collections, as well as furniture and decor from the grandest days of the city’s past, when its ships sailed to all corners of the Mediterranean Sea. The Acquario di Genova is the city’s pride and joy, parked like a giant ocean liner on the waterfront, with seventy tanks housing sea creatures from all the world’s major habitats, including the world’s biggest reconstruction of a Caribbean coral reef. It’s a great aquarium by any standards, the second largest in Europe by capacity, and boasts a fashionably ecology-conscious slant and excellent background information in Italian and English. Just 35 km south of Genoa, there’s no denying the appeal of Portofino, tucked into a protected inlet surrounded by lush cypress- and olive-clad slopes. It’s an A-list resort that has been attracting high-flying bankers, celebs and their hangers-on for years, as evidenced by the flotillas of giant yachts usually anchored just outside. It’s a tiny place that is attractive yet somehow off-putting at the same time, with a quota of fancy shops, bars and restaurants for a place twice its size. Genoa, Italy port guide Search cruises visiting Genoa, Italy

Genoa, Italy photo — Day 6 Jan 3, 2027 Genoa, Italy 08:00 – 18:00 10.0 hrs ashore Genoa is marvellously eclectic, vibrant and full of rough-edged style; it’s a great cruise excursion. Indeed “La Superba” (The Superb), as it was known at the height of its authority as a Mediterranean superpower, boasts more zest and intrigue than all the surrounding coastal resorts put together. During a holiday to Genoa you can explore its old town: a dense and fascinating warren of medieval alleyways home to large palazzi built in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries by Genoa’s wealthy mercantile families and now transformed into museums and art galleries. You should seek out the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo, the Palazzo Ducale, and the Renaissance palaces of Via Garibaldi which contain the cream of Genoa’s art collections, as well as furniture and decor from the grandest days of the city’s past, when its ships sailed to all corners of the Mediterranean Sea. The Acquario di Genova is the city’s pride and joy, parked like a giant ocean liner on the waterfront, with seventy tanks housing sea creatures from all the world’s major habitats, including the world’s biggest reconstruction of a Caribbean coral reef. It’s a great aquarium by any standards, the second largest in Europe by capacity, and boasts a fashionably ecology-conscious slant and excellent background information in Italian and English. Just 35 km south of Genoa, there’s no denying the appeal of Portofino, tucked into a protected inlet surrounded by lush cypress- and olive-clad slopes. It’s an A-list resort that has been attracting high-flying bankers, celebs and their hangers-on for years, as evidenced by the flotillas of giant yachts usually anchored just outside. It’s a tiny place that is attractive yet somehow off-putting at the same time, with a quota of fancy shops, bars and restaurants for a place twice its size. Genoa, Italy port guide Search cruises visiting Genoa, Italy

Day 7 Jan 4, 2027 Civitavecchia, Rome 07:00 – 18:00 11.0 hrs ashore All roads lead to Rome, and with good reason - this city is one of the world’s most thrilling, offering unmatched history along every street. An evocative, inspiring and utterly artistic capital of unrivalled cultural impact, Rome is a city of back-to-back landmarks, which will take you on an exhilarating journey through the ages. This may be one of the world’s oldest cities, but it’s well and truly lived in. The ruins are punctuated with murmuring cafes, and the outdoor seating of restaurants sprawls out across piazzas, enticing you to sample tangles of creamy pasta and crispy pizzas. Rome’s incredible Roman Forum is littered with the ruins of its ancient administrations, which have stood firm for 2,000 years, since the times when the area was the centre of the Western world. Few sites are more simultaneously beautiful and haunting than that of the storied Colosseum, which looms deep into Rome’s rich blue sky. Take a tour to learn details of the grisly goings-on within. The best way to experience Rome is to wander its streets, gelato in hand. There is a lot to see here - whether it’s the domed spectacle of the Pantheon, or the elaborate flowing waters and artistry of the Trevi Fountain. Vatican City is an astonishing, colossal display of Catholic grandeur, while the Spanish Steps – crowned by the Trinità dei Monti church – offer a beautiful spot to gather and soak up the lively atmosphere of this humming city. With so much on the to-do list, you’ll relish the breaks you take, enjoying simple pleasures like a strong espresso, or fresh pasta with tomato sauce and ripped basil. Civitavecchia, Rome port guide Search cruises visiting Civitavecchia, Rome

Pricing

Lowest fare we've tracked over the observed 91-day span: $1,846 · range $1,846–$1,846

Current prices

Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

Inside

from $1,846

$263 / night

Fare rows

Deluxe Interior Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,846

$263 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Interior Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $1,856

$265 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Interior Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,238

$319 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Interior Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,248

$321 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Interior Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,676

$525 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Interior Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $3,696

$528 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Oceanview

Not available

Balcony

from $2,146

$306 / night

Fare rows

Deluxe Balcony With Promenade View Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,146

$306 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony With Promenade View Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,156

$308 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony With Promenade View Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,166

$309 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony With Promenade & Ocean View Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,176

$310 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,256

$322 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,266

$323 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,276

$325 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,296

$328 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony With Promenade View Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,538

$362 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony With Promenade View Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,548

$364 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony With Promenade View Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,558

$365 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony With Promenade & Ocean View Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,568

$366 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,648

$378 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,658

$379 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,668

$381 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $2,688

$384 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony With Promenade View Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,276

$610 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony With Promenade View Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,296

$613 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony With Promenade View Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,316

$616 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony With Promenade & Ocean View Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,336

$619 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,496

$642 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,516

$645 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,536

$648 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Deluxe Balcony Fantastica

Cabin grade

Available

from $4,576

$653 / night

per person · incl. taxes

Suite

Not available

Prices verified Jun 22, 2026

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

Show all 36 cabin grades

Name	Supplier code	Type
Deluxe Balcony Aurea	BA	Balcony
Balcony Bella Guaranteed	BB	Balcony
Premium Balcony Aurea	BGA	Balcony
Deluxe Balcony with Partial View Fantastica	BP	Balcony
Deluxe Balcony Fantastica	BR1	Balcony
Deluxe Balcony Fantastica	BR2	Balcony
Deluxe Balcony Fantastica	BR3	Balcony
Deluxe Balcony Fantastica	BR4	Balcony
Deluxe Balcony With Promenade View Fantastica	PR1	Balcony
Deluxe Balcony With Promenade View Fantastica	PR2	Balcony
Deluxe Balcony With Promenade View Fantastica	PR3	Balcony
Deluxe Balcony With Promenade & Ocean View Fantastica	PV	Balcony
Interior Bella Guaranteed	IB	Inside
Deluxe Interior Fantastica	IR1	Inside
Deluxe Interior Fantastica	IR2	Inside
Studio Interior Fantastica	IS	Inside
Ocean View Bella Guaranteed	OB	Oceanview
Deluxe Ocean View Fantastica	OR1	Oceanview
Deluxe Ocean View Fantastica	OR2	Oceanview
Studio Ocean View Fantastica	OS	Oceanview
Infinite Ocean View Fantastica	VL1	Oceanview
Infinite Ocean View Aurea	VLA	Oceanview
Premium Suite Aurea	SL1	Suite
Premium Suite Aurea With Promenade & Ocean View	SLP	Suite
Junior Suite Aurea	SM	Suite
Junior Suite Aurea With Promenade & Ocean View	SRP	Suite
Grand Suite Aurea	SX	Suite
Grand Suite Aurea with Terrace and Whirlpool	SXJ	Suite
Grand Suite Aurea with Terrace	SXT	Suite
MSC Yacht Club Deluxe Suite	YC1	Suite
MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite with Whirlpool Bath	YC3	Suite
MSC Yacht Club Owner's Suite with Whirlpool Bath	YC4	Suite
MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suite	YCD	Suite
MSC Yacht Club Royal Suite with Whirlpool Bath	YD3	Suite
MSC Yacht Club Interior Suite	YIN	Suite
MSC Yacht Club Duplex Suite with with Whirlpool Bath	YJD	Suite

Ship

Your ship MSC World Asia 5★ **215,863** GT **6,762** guests Discover The Art of Cruising on board MSC World Asia, the new World Class ship from MSC Cruises. MSC World Asia showcases MSC Cruises' unparalleled expertise in The Art of Cruising, blending refined craftsmanship with meticulous attention to detail. This harmonious combination delivers the art of savouring, exploring and making memories. Step on board MSC World Asia, where tradition, innovation, and style come together to define The Art of Cruising. Beginning winter 2026, this extraordinary ship will journey through the stunning Mediterranean, connecting guests to Europe’s most breathtaking destinations. With Asian-inspired design elements throughout her spaces, MSC World Asia combines state-of-the-art technology with world-class dining and top-notch entertainment, providing for a truly enjoyable experience. Savor, explore, and create unforgettable memories on a ship that seamlessly blends timeless craftsmanship with Asian artistry. MSC World Asia ship guide Search cruises on MSC World Asia

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