7-night Western Mediterranean cruise: Ravenna, Italy to Barcelona on Norwegian Gem
The 7-Day Mediterranean from Venice to Barcelona: Italy, Greece & Croatia is a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise aboard Norwegian Gem, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line. Departing Ravenna, Italy on October 17, 2027 and arriving in Barcelona on October 24, 2027, the voyage visits 7 ports including Split, Dubrovnik, Kotor. Fares start from $1,299 per person.
Fixed editorial images from the places on this itinerary. They stay stable each time you return to this sailing.
Ravenna, Italy
Ravenna is one of the great cultural sites in Europe. The city's monuments bear witness to the succession of three major civilizations. In the 5th century, Ravenna was the last capital of the Roman Empire. The city then served as the seat of Theodoric I's short-lived barbarian kingdom. After its collapse, Ravenna became a major hub in the Byzantine Empire. The city is thus renowned and revered for churches and mausoleums decorated with superb mosaics spanning all three civilizations. Often Roman, Arian, and Byzantine art adorns the same building. Ravenna is also your gateway to the cities of the Po plain. Bologna is home to magnificent medieval buildings and Europe's oldest university. Ferrara was the stronghold of the Renaissance's fabled d'Este clan. And tiny San Marino clings to the slopes of Mt. Titano.
In 402, the Emperor Honarius moved the capital of the Western Empire from Milan to Ravenna
Split
With its seafront cafés and ancient alleyways, shouting stallholders and travellers on the move, bustling, exuberant Split is one of Croatia’s and the Mediterranean’s most compelling cities, it’s easy to see this feeling when you step aground from your MSC cruise.
It has a unique historical heritage too, having grown out of the palace built here by the Roman Emperor Diocletian in 295AD. The palace remains Split’s central ingredient, having been gradually transformed into a warren of houses, tenements, churches and chapels by the various peoples who came to live here after Diocletian’s successors had departed.
Adapted long ago to serve as Split’s town centre, Diocletian’s Palace is certainly not an archaeological “site”. Although set-piece buildings such as Diocletian’s mausoleum (now the cathedral) and the Temple of Jupiter (now a baptistery) still remain, other aspects of the palace have been tinkered with so much by successive generations that it is no longer recognizable as an ancient Roman structure. Best place to start exploring with an MSC excursion the seaward side of the palace is Split’s broad and lively Riva.
Running along the palace’s southern facade, into which shops, cafés and a warren of tiny flats have been built, the Riva is where a large part of the city’s population congregates day and night to meet friends, catch up on gossip or idle away an hour or two in a café. Nearly everything worth seeing in Split is concentrated in the compact Old Town behind the waterfront Riva, made up in part of the various remains and conversions of Diocletian’s Palace itself, and the medieval additions to the west of it. You can walk across this area in about ten minutes, although it would take a lifetime to explore all its nooks and crannies.
Dubrovnik
Croatia’s crowning glory rears up vertically from the tranquil waters of the Adriatic, and Dubrovnik’s daunting fortresses town is a truly imposing sight to behold. Encircled by chunky stone walls so thick and dramatic they could have been purpose-built as a film set, this city’s unmatched old town is the setting for countless films and shows - from Star Wars to Robin Hood, Game of Thrones and every production in-between seeking a truly authentic medieval flavour.
This fantasy fortress’s walls - which are no less than 12-metres thick at places - are certainly not just for show, however. They kept Dubrovnik safe when it was a maritime republic and they were besieged as recently as 1991, when Serbian and Montenegrin forces attacked, as Yugoslavia broke apart. Fully restored now, the stone streets of the city take you through a beautiful mosaic of architectural splendour, baroque churches and splashing fountains. Tapering alleys rocket up from the central boulevard of Stradun, offering spectacular views down, but you’ll need to walk the city walls to appreciate the fortress city’s full scale. Banking up sharply to the rear, you can gaze across an ocean of terracotta roofs and church spires, clamouring together before the sparkling Adriatic. Visit the neighbouring fort of Lovrijenac, for another perspective, or swing up to Srd fortress’s glorious panorama on a cable car. Dubrovnik’s streets are crammed with eateries and candlelit tables, where couples splash wine into glasses and enjoy gnocchi mixed with creamy truffle sauces. Nearby beaches like Banje are also close by, and hidden bays reward the intrepid who venture out beyond the old town. Take sunset drinks to sit back and watch as flotillas of sea kayaks roll by, or sail on the pristine waters to explore island gems like Lokrum - where peacocks are the only permanent residents.
Prices come from third-party data feeds via Norwegian Cruise Line and may differ from the cruise line's current fare. Confirm the final price before booking. How our pricing works
Lowest fares with no residency, age, or service requirement — verify eligibility at booking. How our pricing works
Not ready to book?
Get price alerts
We’ll email you when fares drop or return.
Check your email to finish
We sent a confirmation link to your inbox. Your alert is not on yet — click that link to switch it on.
Enjoy the more intimate, relaxed atmosphere of our mid-size ship, Norwegian Gem® while sailing to top destinations. This sparkling cruise ship is the perfect choice for year-round cruises in style. Sail to the The Caribbean, Bermuda, or Bahamas and toss your schedule to the breeze. Fuel up for the day's activities with your favourite beverage from Starbucks. With the award-winning Mandara Spa and Thermal Suite, hot tubs and pool, pampering “me time” is a must! Then roll into good times in the casino. The excitement doesn’t end when the sun goes down, with live entertainment and unique bars and lounges, from Sugarcane Mojito Bar to Maltings Beer & Whiskey and more. Savour every moment with a wide range of delicious specialty and complimentary dining options, including Cagney's Steakhouse and La Cucina Italian restaurant. You won’t want to miss cruising to unforgettable destinations on this gem!
We count visits anonymously without cookies. Accept cookies to let us remember you across visits and connect activity if you create an account, or decline and we'll still count you anonymously. Read our privacy policy
ESC
The Captain
I'm the Captain. Tell me what you're after — "Caribbean under $2,000" or "7 nights from Miami" — and I'll find the sailing and its price history.
