A Celebration of Art Featuring the 61st Venice Biennale

The A Celebration of Art Featuring the 61st Venice Biennale is a 8-night Mediterranean cruise aboard Le Soleal, operated by Ponant. Departing Malta on July 1, 2026, the voyage visits 7 ports.

Length: 8 nights
Departs: Jul 1, 2026
Returns: Jul 9, 2026
Ports of call: 7

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Itinerary

Day 1 Jul 1, 2026 Malta Departs 18:00 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 1 Jul 1, 2026 Malta Departs 18:00 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 2 Jul 2, 2026 Syracuse,Italy A journey through culture and art. With an MSC Cruise you will immerse yourself in one of the most fascinating and historical regions in Italy. Welcome to Sicily: in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by crystal clear waters, this magical and welcoming land preserves traces of ancient civilizations. With a hike in the Val di Noto, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, you will be able to fully enjoy the sicilian baroque, on the trail of “Commissioner Montalbano”, the famous character created by the author Andrea Camilleri. Passing through Ragusa Ibla, the ancient historical center of Ragusa, with its numerous churches and many buildings of times gone by, continuing to Scicli, where you will be able to admire the Byzantine settlements in the area of Chiafura, to finally arrive in Modica, famous not only for the delicious chocolate of Aztec origin but also for the artistic value of its buildings. Moving on to Syracuse, you will reach the island of Ortygia, the old town, connected to the mainland by the Umbertino bridge. Here, great civilizations have come and gone: from the Greeks and Phoenicians to the Romans, from the Arabs to the Byzantines, to the Normans and the Aragonese. To experience life in this city to the full you shouldn't miss a visit to the market: lose yourself among the stalls, where the sellers of fish, meat, fruits and vegetables are all proposing their goods with the typical vanniate, screams/rhymes in the local dialect. Or take an excursion to the archeological Park of Syracuse. In this site you will be able to admire, among other things, relics of Greco-Roman eras, like the Greek Theatre of the V century BC, where the playwright Aeschylus staged The Women of Aetna in 476 BC; The ear of Dionysus, 23 meter high artificial cave; the Roman Amphitheatre, carved into the rock and among the largest in Sicily; and the Ara of Ierone, the altar that was originally about 198 meters long and over 20 wide. Syracuse,Italy port guide Search cruises visiting Syracuse,Italy

Syracuse,Italy photo — Day 2 Jul 2, 2026 Syracuse,Italy A journey through culture and art. With an MSC Cruise you will immerse yourself in one of the most fascinating and historical regions in Italy. Welcome to Sicily: in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by crystal clear waters, this magical and welcoming land preserves traces of ancient civilizations. With a hike in the Val di Noto, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, you will be able to fully enjoy the sicilian baroque, on the trail of “Commissioner Montalbano”, the famous character created by the author Andrea Camilleri. Passing through Ragusa Ibla, the ancient historical center of Ragusa, with its numerous churches and many buildings of times gone by, continuing to Scicli, where you will be able to admire the Byzantine settlements in the area of Chiafura, to finally arrive in Modica, famous not only for the delicious chocolate of Aztec origin but also for the artistic value of its buildings. Moving on to Syracuse, you will reach the island of Ortygia, the old town, connected to the mainland by the Umbertino bridge. Here, great civilizations have come and gone: from the Greeks and Phoenicians to the Romans, from the Arabs to the Byzantines, to the Normans and the Aragonese. To experience life in this city to the full you shouldn't miss a visit to the market: lose yourself among the stalls, where the sellers of fish, meat, fruits and vegetables are all proposing their goods with the typical vanniate, screams/rhymes in the local dialect. Or take an excursion to the archeological Park of Syracuse. In this site you will be able to admire, among other things, relics of Greco-Roman eras, like the Greek Theatre of the V century BC, where the playwright Aeschylus staged The Women of Aetna in 476 BC; The ear of Dionysus, 23 meter high artificial cave; the Roman Amphitheatre, carved into the rock and among the largest in Sicily; and the Ara of Ierone, the altar that was originally about 198 meters long and over 20 wide. Syracuse,Italy port guide Search cruises visiting Syracuse,Italy

Day 3 Jul 3, 2026 Otranto Otranto is a coastal town in southern Italy’s Apulia region. It’s home to the 15th-century Aragonese Castle and 11th-century Otranto Cathedral, with a rose window and ornate mosaic flooring. At the harbor, Torre Matta tower has sweeping sea views. Nearby beaches include the popular Alimini Beach. Inland are 2 lakes: the saltwater Alimini Grande and spring-fed Alimini Piccolo. South is the Punta Palascìa lighthouse. Otranto port guide Search cruises visiting Otranto

Otranto photo — Day 3 Jul 3, 2026 Otranto Otranto is a coastal town in southern Italy’s Apulia region. It’s home to the 15th-century Aragonese Castle and 11th-century Otranto Cathedral, with a rose window and ornate mosaic flooring. At the harbor, Torre Matta tower has sweeping sea views. Nearby beaches include the popular Alimini Beach. Inland are 2 lakes: the saltwater Alimini Grande and spring-fed Alimini Piccolo. South is the Punta Palascìa lighthouse. Otranto port guide Search cruises visiting Otranto

Day 4 Jul 4, 2026 Bari Bari, capital of the province of Apulia, lies on southern Italy's Adriatic coast. Its busy port is a leading commercial and industrial centre as well as a transit point for travellers catching ferries across the Adriatic to Greece. Bari comprises a new and an old town. To the north, on a promontory between the old and new harbours, lies the picturesque old town, or Citta Vecchia, with a maze of narrow, crooked streets. To the south is the spacious and regularly planned new town, which has developed considerably since 1930, when the Levant Fair was first held here. The heart of the modern town is Piazza della Liberta. The busy thoroughfare, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, separates the new town from the old. At the eastern end of the Corso begins the Lungomare Nazario Sauro, a magnificent seafront promenade that runs along the old harbour. Bari and the Apulian region were long recognized for their strategic location, attracting a succession of colonizers such as the Normans, Moors and Spaniards, each leaving their mark. Romanesque churches and powerful castles built by 13th-century Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II of Swabia are among the most impressive buildings in the region. Bari's Basilica of San Nicola became famous as the final resting place of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus). According to local tradition, sailors from Bari went to Myra in Turkey, stole the saint's remains and brought them back to Bari. St. Nicholas was the popular bishop of Myra, who was revered as the patron of sailors, virgins and children. In addition to unspoiled scenery and historical sites, Apulia is also known for its hearty cuisine that has evolved from more than 2,000 years of foreign influences. While not as famous as other areas in Italy, Bari and its surrounding region hold many surprise attractions that make it well worth exploring this ancient land and its capital at the heel of Italy's boot. Bari port guide Search cruises visiting Bari

Bari photo — Day 4 Jul 4, 2026 Bari Bari, capital of the province of Apulia, lies on southern Italy's Adriatic coast. Its busy port is a leading commercial and industrial centre as well as a transit point for travellers catching ferries across the Adriatic to Greece. Bari comprises a new and an old town. To the north, on a promontory between the old and new harbours, lies the picturesque old town, or Citta Vecchia, with a maze of narrow, crooked streets. To the south is the spacious and regularly planned new town, which has developed considerably since 1930, when the Levant Fair was first held here. The heart of the modern town is Piazza della Liberta. The busy thoroughfare, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, separates the new town from the old. At the eastern end of the Corso begins the Lungomare Nazario Sauro, a magnificent seafront promenade that runs along the old harbour. Bari and the Apulian region were long recognized for their strategic location, attracting a succession of colonizers such as the Normans, Moors and Spaniards, each leaving their mark. Romanesque churches and powerful castles built by 13th-century Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II of Swabia are among the most impressive buildings in the region. Bari's Basilica of San Nicola became famous as the final resting place of St. Nicholas (Santa Claus). According to local tradition, sailors from Bari went to Myra in Turkey, stole the saint's remains and brought them back to Bari. St. Nicholas was the popular bishop of Myra, who was revered as the patron of sailors, virgins and children. In addition to unspoiled scenery and historical sites, Apulia is also known for its hearty cuisine that has evolved from more than 2,000 years of foreign influences. While not as famous as other areas in Italy, Bari and its surrounding region hold many surprise attractions that make it well worth exploring this ancient land and its capital at the heel of Italy's boot. Bari port guide Search cruises visiting Bari

Day 5 Jul 5, 2026 Ancona Discover the Renaissance spirit in Urbino, with its towering city walls built according to designs by Leonardo daVinci. Visit the Ducal Palace, the architectural masterpiece, which has stood for over 500 years in the Piazza Duca Frederico. Browse through the bookstore then stroll to Raphael’s House, birthplace of the great painter. Galleries and shops invite exploration: look for simple glazed white ware ceramics unique to Urbino, fine leather goods, wines, locally made cheese and smoked meats. View the incredible frescoes of Saint John the Baptist in the Oratorio di San Giovanni. Take lunch in an outdoor café, enjoying dishes made with locally harvested truffles, fresh cheese, prosciutto and homemade pasta. Enjoy an after lunch espresso and gelato in this vibrant cultural center set high amid the Appenines. Ancona port guide Search cruises visiting Ancona

Ancona photo — Day 5 Jul 5, 2026 Ancona Discover the Renaissance spirit in Urbino, with its towering city walls built according to designs by Leonardo daVinci. Visit the Ducal Palace, the architectural masterpiece, which has stood for over 500 years in the Piazza Duca Frederico. Browse through the bookstore then stroll to Raphael’s House, birthplace of the great painter. Galleries and shops invite exploration: look for simple glazed white ware ceramics unique to Urbino, fine leather goods, wines, locally made cheese and smoked meats. View the incredible frescoes of Saint John the Baptist in the Oratorio di San Giovanni. Take lunch in an outdoor café, enjoying dishes made with locally harvested truffles, fresh cheese, prosciutto and homemade pasta. Enjoy an after lunch espresso and gelato in this vibrant cultural center set high amid the Appenines. Ancona port guide Search cruises visiting Ancona

Day 6 Jul 6, 2026 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 Ravenna, Italy port guide Search cruises visiting Ravenna, Italy

Day 7 Jul 7, 2026 Venice, Italy The first settlement of the marshy islands in the lagoon was for protection from barbarian tribes that terrorized mainland farms and villages. Island living quickly led to the development of skills in handling boats, then ships. Maritime trade conducted by shrewd merchants brought great wealth, which permitted the building of palaces, churches and monuments. The city became the center of the vast Venetian empire, its name forever summoning visions of grandeur, magnificence, richness, graciousness and beauty. Although later linked to the mainland, first by a railway bridge built in 1848 and then by a motor causeway in 1930, this island city will always be considered the "Queen of the Sea." There are no cars in Venice; all transportation is by boat or on foot along the time-worn, cobblestone streets and across some 400 bridges that span the city's 177 canals. Enchanting Venice truly offers an atmosphere that exists nowhere else. Venice, Italy port guide Search cruises visiting Venice, Italy

Pricing

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Show all 32 cabin grades

Cabin grades and pricing
Name	Supplier code	Type
Prestige Deck 4	1	Balcony
Prestige Deck 5	2	Balcony
Prestige Deck 6	3	Balcony
Alizés Stateroom with balcony	A	Balcony
Alizés Prestige Stateroom with balcony	AP	Balcony
Deluxe Stateroom	D	Balcony
Superior Stateroom	6	Oceanview
Mistral Stateroom	M	Oceanview
Mistral Prestige Stateroom	MP	Oceanview
Prestige Deck 5 Suite	10	Suite
Prestige Deck 6 Suite	11	Suite
Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6	12	Suite
Privilege Suite Deck 6	13	Suite
Prestige Deck 5 Suite	4	Suite
Prestige Deck 6 Suite	5	Suite
Deluxe Suite Deck 6	7	Suite
Privilege Suite Deck 5	8	Suite
Privilege Suite Deck 6	9	Suite
Alizés Privilege Suite with balcony	APS	Suite
Deluxe Suite	DS	Suite
Deluxe Suite Deck 6	DS6	Suite
Deluxe Suite Deck 7	DS7	Suite
Deluxe Suite Deck 8	DS8	Suite
Grand Deluxe Suite Deck 6	GDS	Suite
Grand Privilège Alizés Suite with balcony	GPAS	Suite
Grand Privilege Suite	GPS	Suite
Grand Prestige Suite on Deck 6	GPS6	Suite
Grand Suite GS – Deck 8	GS	Suite
Mistral Junior Suite	MJ	Suite
Mistral Prestige Suite	MPS	Suite
Owner's Suite	OS	Suite
Privilège Suite Deck 6	PS	Suite