Port guides

Seville

Spain · Mediterranean

Hanging off the southwestern edge of Spain, Cádiz is one of Andalucía’s regional capitals and a place bursting with personality. Europe’s oldest continually inhabited city, with a history stretching back 3,000 years, has fallen on hard times in recent years, but a combination of pride, good humor and stoicism keeps it on an even keel. The famous Carnival, one of Spain’s most important in the genre, is a thrilling fiesta into which Cádiz pours all its energy and ingenuity. The city’s fond nickname, la tacita de plata ("little silver cup"), alludes to its curious geography—it juts out on a long peninsula into a sheltered bay. Old town Cádiz is a warren of cobbled streets where the houses, painted white or dusty ochre, have the weather-beaten look of a place subjected to centuries of wind and salt. This ancient city has one good example of everything that matters: a great food market, a theater (the Teatro Falla, a grand Art Nouveau Moorish gem), a gorgeous cathedral, impressive fortifications and a beach—the picturesque and famous La Caleta.

442 cruises

Sibenik

Croatia · Mediterranean

Lesser known than the beautiful, yet well-trodden cities of Split and Dubrovnik, Sibenik offers all of the quintessential delights than one might have come to expect from destinations situated on Croatia’s glorious Adriatic Coast. Sibenik is situated within a deep bay, one of the best-protected harbours found anyway in the Adriatic region, and boasts spectacular surrounding landscapes, while the city itself is a sight to behold from the first moment it comes into view; typically Croatian scenes of white-washed, terracotta-topped buildings hint at the type of treasures awaiting discovery ashore. Wander the little, steeply-angled streets and attractive squares framed by a mix of centuries-old architectural gems, shops and cafés reveal themselves; particular highlights to see-out include the impressive town hall, the churches of St Barbara and St Fran, and the piece de resistance: Cathedral Sveti Jakov. Built in the early 15th century, UNESCO-listed Sveti Jakov is considered one of Croatia’s finest and most important Renaissance-era landmarks, built from limestone and marble under the supervision of the great Croatian stone masters Juraj Dalmatinac and Nikola Firentinac.

440 cruises

Santos, Brazil

South America

Santos, one of Portugal’s first New World settlements, was founded in 1535. Today your MSC ship will be docking in Latin America’s largest port, through which passes a large proportion of the world’s coffee, sugar and oranges. The city stands partly on São Vicente island, its docking facilities and old town facing landwards, with ships approaching by a narrow, but deep, channel. Its compact centre retains a certain charm that’s massively popular with local tourists, and there is a good deal of historical and maritime interest around the city. On an MSC South America cruise excursion to the city centre you’ll find the ruins of some of Santos’s most distinguished buildings along Rua do Comércio. Although sometimes only the facades remain, some of the nineteenth-century former merchants’ houses that line the street are gradually being restored, the elaborate tiling and wrought-iron balconies offering a hint of the old town’s lost grandeur. MSC South America cruises also offer excursions to the local Santos Futebol Clube. It’s best known as the club for which the great Pelé played for most of his professional life (from 1956 to 1974); their stadium, the Vila Belmiro, is open to the public when there’s no game on. In addition to honouring Pelé at the club’s small museum, you can take an hour-long guided tour including the players’ bar and dressing rooms. Santos’s beaches are across town from Centro on the south side of the island. The beaches are huge, stretching around the Atlantic-facing Baía de Santos, and popular in summer.

435 cruises

Golubac

Serbia · Mediterranean

Golubac is a village and municipality located in the Braničevo District of the eastern Serbia. Situated on the right side of the Danube river, it is bordered by Romania to the east, Veliko Gradište to the west and Kučevo to the south.

430 cruises

Belize

Belize · Mexico & Central America

Formerly British Honduras, Belize hosts a melting pot of cultures - Garifuna, Mayan, Mestizo, Chinese, Indian, Creole and Mennonite - each having made their distinct mark on the country’s traditions and its cuisine. In the heart of Central America, bordered by Mexico and Guatemala, Belize offers bountiful nature: from unspoiled jungles, rainforests and caves to the largest offshore barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, a mecca for snorkelers and scuba divers alike. While Belmopan is the country’s administrative capital, Belize City is the country’s business capital, with banks, offices and shops lining the streets, a place where fruit and fast-food vendors jostle with those selling knickknacks. Divided by Haulover Creek, a tributary of the Belize River, Belize City’s north and south sides are connected by the Swing Bridge, the oldest manually operated swing bridge in South America, an admirable example of 1920s architecture and a historical landmark. Built in Liverpool, England, and transported by sea to Belize City, the bridge requires four men to manually operate it - marking it as one of the few manually operated swing bridges in the world still used today. As you arrive in Belize City on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise, you have the perfect starting point for offshore MSC excursions, offering water sports in the crystal blue Caribbean and a wealth of inland excursions, from Mayan ruins and howler monkey sanctuaries to cave tubing and ziplines. To experience something really special, there’s even an exclusive Martha Stewart excursion in the jungle that’ll have you tasting street food, cacao and artisanal cheese, while exploring rainforest botany during a full day adventure. Don’t miss an MSC excursion to one of three major Mayan archaeological sites: Altun Ha (Rock Stone Water), Lamanai (Submerged Crocodile) and Xunantunich (Stone Woman). Here, among the foliage of a spectacular jungle, discover the magnificent ruins of a civilization that had survived for centuries. See where the famous Jade Head “Kinich Ahau” was uncovered by Dr David Pendergast of the Royal Ontario Museum, visit the Temple of the Mask with its huge crocodile-shaped mask, or explore the Temple of El Castillo, the administrative hub of elite rulers of the time.

429 cruises

Long Beach

CA · US & Canada Pacific Coast

Long Beach is a coastal city and port in Southern California. Moored in its Queensway Bay, RMS Queen Mary is a retired ocean liner and museum ship. The waterfront Aquarium of the Pacific features touch tanks and a shark lagoon. Modern and contemporary works are on display at the Museum of Latin American Art. Rancho Los Cerritos is a 19th-century adobe home and museum set in expansive gardens.

429 cruises

Belfast

Northern Ireland · Northern Europe & Baltic

Reborn as a cool, modern city, Belfast has successfully left its troubles behind, emerging as a hotbed of culture and architecture, where the comfort of a cosy pub is never far away. Take a voyage of discovery in its maritime quarter, home to a celebrated museum dedicated to the most famous ship ever built, which was constructed right here in the city’s shipyards. A walk across the Lagan Weir Footbridge brings you to Belfast’s fascinating Titanic District – an area of the city devoted to its rich ship-building heritage. The state-of-the-art Titanic Museum brings the story of the doomed vessel to life, and is the largest museum dedicated to the infamously ‘unsinkable’ ship. Wind up a nautical-themed ramble along the Maritime Mile with a visit to SS Nomadic, the smaller cousin of the Titanic, and a ship which serves as a fascinating time capsule back to the pomp and grandeur of the Titanic, while also telling its own stories of service in both World Wars. There’s just enough time to give the 10-metre long Salmon of Knowledge sculpture a quick peck for luck, before continuing to explore. A stark barbed wire and graffitied sheet metal barrier marks an abrupt scar through the city’s residential areas. The Peace Line was constructed during the height of the Troubles, when Belfast was plagued by sectarian divisions between Protestants and Catholics. Nowadays, you can jump in a black taxi tour to see the colourful murals and living history of the walls, which stand as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace. After exploring the city’s historic divisions, a reminder of Belfast’s uniting creativity can be found at the Metropolitan Arts Centre – a seven-storey tall building, which invites light to gloriously cascade inside. The Cathedral Quarter is a cobbled blend of flower-adorned pubs, restaurants and theatres, and venues where music spills out onto the streets at night, and many a pint is cheerily shared.

427 cruises

Esztergom, Hungary

Northern Europe & Baltic

This former royal seat is the cradle of the Hungarian nation – and a very attractive one at that. The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption and Saint Adalbert, a neoclassical basilica that stands high above the city, is particularly worth visiting. Esztergom can look back on a long history. Celts settled on the prominent Várhegy (Castle Hill) back in 150 BCE. The Romans also built a settlement there after conquering the region. At one point, the city was part of the Ottoman Empire, whose rulers also recognised the value of its strategic location right on the Danube. All of these influences are still apparent in Esztergom today – and they are what makes it so special.

427 cruises

Mohacs

Hungary · Mediterranean

Mohács is a town in Baranya county, Hungary on the right bank of the Danube.

427 cruises

New York

USA · US East Coast & Canada

Wake up to be part of a city that never sleeps. Fly by helicopter over the Manhattan Skyline for flawless images of the Statue of Liberty, neon-lit Times Square, sprawling Central Park, the skyscraping Empire State Building and Brooklyn Bridge. Explore Picasso, Pollock and others at the Museum of Modern Art. Then create your own kitsch masterpiece from a blank canvas at a painting party in Havana’s emporium. Pay your respects and honour gallant heroes at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum mission. Listen to backstage stories in the Broadway theatre district, shop in the East Village, eat streetside hotdogs, sip cocktails in elegant bars, take in a show. And as evening falls, take a walk with your loved one over Brooklyn Bridge. Big, bold and brash – there's a lot to bite off in the Big Apple.

427 cruises

Libourne

Mediterranean

Libourne is a commune in the Gironde department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwestern France. It is a sub-prefecture of the department. It is the wine-making capital of northern Gironde and lies near Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.

426 cruises

Le Pecq

Northern Europe & Baltic

Le Pecq is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France. It is located in the western suburbs of Paris, 18.4 km from the center of Paris

422 cruises

St Georges, Grenada

Caribbean & Bahamas

Scents of spices such as cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg waft through the air as you arrive on MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise to St. George’s, the capital of the island of Grenada. Nicknamed the “Spice Island” for its agriculture, Grenada’s symbol is the nutmeg, the island’s most famous product, which also appears on the nation’s flag. Originally colonized by the French in the 1600s, who wiped out the native Carib peoples during conflicts, Grenada was captured by the British in 1762 and remained under British rule until its independence in 1974. St. George’s offers many attractions starting with its beautiful views, botanical gardens, parks and heavenly beaches, most notably the Grand Anse Beach nearby. Start your journey with a guided walk on an MSC excursion through the capital’s winding maze of streets from the Carenage, the horseshoe-shaped harbour, with its lively waterfront promenade. Gaze at picturesque 19th-century pastel-coloured Creole houses made of brick and stone with red-tile roofs made from ship ballasts. Get a first-hand look at the wonderful palette of spices and scents of the island on an MSC excursion that stops at Dougaldston Estate. At this rustic, 300-year-old cocoa plantation in Gouyave, discover what drying trays for spices and cacao look like and learn how these spices are processed from seed pods, or how cinnamon is harvested from the bark of a tree. From there, proceed to an old-fashioned nutmeg cooperative plant where the work is done by hand. Grenada features a host of beautiful waterfalls, the most spectacular of which are Annandale Falls, about 7 miles from St. George’s. Hidden by a grotto of dense vegetation in the mountains, the waterfall cascades 30 feet down into the midst of leaves and branches, creating a natural pool where you can swim. For a throw-back to Grenada’s past, hop on a Creole bus on a guided MSC excursion along a labyrinth of steep roads to higher elevations. Enjoy sumptuous panoramas from the 18th-century forts of Fort George and Fort Frederick, nicknamed “The Backward Facing Fort,” for the cannons facing the land and not the sea.

422 cruises

Johannesburg

Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa's biggest city and capital of Gauteng province, began as a 19th-century gold-mining settlement. Its sprawling Soweto township was once home to Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Mandela’s former residence is now the Mandela House museum. Other Soweto museums that recount the struggle to end segregation include the somber Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill, a former prison complex.

421 cruises

Victoria Falls

Africa

Victoria Falls is a waterfall on the Zambezi River in southern Africa, which provides habitat for several unique species of plants and animals. It is located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and is considered to be one of the world's largest waterfalls due to its width of 1,708 m.

421 cruises

Kagoshima

Japan · Asia

One of Japan's most southerly major cities, Kagoshima is dominated by the imposing Sakurajima volcano's cone – a legendary active volcano that broods, churns and puffs out ash nearby. A pretty old-time ferry chugs across the still waters to the gently sloping foothills of the volcano's cone, and it's easy to imagine where the comparisons with its sister city Naples materialised, as you sail the glorious sweeping Kinko Bay, below beaming sunshine, towards the immense volcanic spectacle. View less This is certainly no historic relic, and the volcano remains revered and feared, with the most dramatic recent eruption taking place in 1914, and spewing out a new bridge of land into the sea. Make the most of the geothermal activity in the area by indulging in a stress-simmering black sand bath. Incredibly relaxing, you'll be submerged in the warm sand, as you feel your muscles relaxing in the heat, and rejuvenating blood pumping around your body. Enjoy a privileged view of the iconic volcano's loom from the terraced garden of Senganen Garden. Built in 1658, this elegant, traditional garden has belonged to the Shimadzu family for 350 years. Wander the gardens - which bloom with Japan's renowned cherry tree blossoms and feature tiny bridges looping over ponds and rock pools - before sitting back and sipping a wholesome green matcha latte. Elsewhere, museums offer Feudal Era and Satsuma Province history, as well as insights into the Kamikaze squadrons of World War II. Lake Ikeda is also close by, so be sure to keep an eye out for the legendary Issie monster.

417 cruises

Brisbane

Australia · Australia, NZ & South Pacific

They don’t call it the Sunshine State for nothing, and Brisbane’s modern metropolis fully exploits its sun-blessed location, basking in Queensland’s generous year-round glow. The envied climate makes Brisbane a city of outdoor adventure, activity and relaxation, where days drift by surfing rollers, or relaxing in the shade of swaying palms. While Brisbane may play second fiddle to Sydney and Melbourne at times, it radiates a creative and contemporary energy, offering visitors a refreshing combination of laidback waterfront luxury and urban sophistication. Sandy islands nearby provide scenic diving and oceanside relaxation opportunities, while the city's animal santuaries offer opportunities to meet unbearably cute koalas and kangaroos. Brisbane’s impressive skyline of metallic cylinders rises high above the broad Brisbane River below, which curves lazily through downtown. The rolling waves of the Pacific are close by, but there’s something special about relaxing on soft sand in the very heart of the city, on the beautifully executed South Bank Parklands man-made beach. With golden sand and shallow lagoon waters to cool off in, it’s a dreamy spot to lie back with a book, amid the landscaped gardens. Nestled in a river meander of its own, Brisbane Botanic Park glows with colour, tropical plants and wading ibis birds, and is easily walkable from the Parklands. The South Bank is the cultural hub of city, and houses the celebrated Queensland Gallery of Modern Art - a surreal and vibrant jaunt through contemporary Australian art. The city’s award-winning restaurants also serve up elite food, matched with generous splashes of wine, direct from the nearby Granite Belt’s wine regions.

416 cruises

Angkor Ban, Cambodia

Angkor Ban is a khum of Sampov Loun District in Battambang Province in north-western Cambodia.

415 cruises

Bimini

Bahamas · Caribbean & Bahamas

Located on the island of New Providence, Nassau is a colorful Caribbean capital, with white-sand beaches, green golf courses, pink Colonial buildings, and warm turquoise waters. Naturally, water sports are very popular here. Take your pick of scuba diving, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, and sailing excursions.

412 cruises

Kehl

Northern Europe & Baltic

The Roman commander Drusus founded Strasbourg as a military outpost in 12 BCE. Today it is a thriving metropolis that has maintained many small half-timbered houses and an historic old town. Even the briefest glance at Strasbourg Cathedral will tell you that you are standing before one of the most important of its kind in Europe – and one of the largest sandstone buildings in the world.

412 cruises

Machu Picchu

South America

Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains in Peru, above the Urubamba River valley. Built in the 15th century and later abandoned, it’s renowned for its sophisticated dry-stone walls that fuse huge blocks without the use of mortar, intriguing buildings that play on astronomical alignments and panoramic views. Its exact former use remains a mystery.

412 cruises

San Diego, California

United States

Free from smog and jungle-like freeways, San Diego sits gracefully around a beautiful curving bay. Although affluent and conservative, this second largest city in California is also amiable and easygoing. San Diego has a vibrant and active downtown area, and since the late 1970s several blocks of early 20th century architecture have been stylishly renovated, while the sleek modern bank buildings symbolize the city's growing economic significance on the Pacific Rim. San Diego is the birthplace of California. Portuguese explorer Juan Rodrigues Cabrillo landed here in 1542; since then, San Diego has been under Spanish, Mexican and after 1846, American rule. The city really took off with the arrival of the Santa Fe Railroad in the 1880s, but in terms of trade and significance it has long played second fiddle to Los Angeles. However, during World War II the U.S. Navy made San Diego their Pacific Command Center and the military continue to dominate the local economy, along now with tourism. Within easy reach of the downtown area, encompassing 1,400 acres of cultural, recreational and environmental delights, San Diego's Balboa Park is a sumptuous place with trees, gardens, traffic-free promenades and a large concentration of Spanish-colonial style buildings. The Hillcrest area is the lively and artsy center of the city, and Old Town San Diego is now a historical park where the city's Spanish and Mexican history and heritage are most evident. The Gaslamp Quarter, once the heart of frontier San Diego, is today filled with smart streets lined with chic cafés, antique stores, art galleries and gas lamps (powered by electricity). Most of the eastern part of the county is taken up by the 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert. Another must-see is the city's most famous attraction, the San Diego Zoo.

410 cruises

Osijek

Mediterranean

Osijek is the fourth largest city in Croatia with a population of 108,048 in 2011. It is the largest city and the economic and cultural centre of the eastern Croatian region of Slavonia, as well as the administrative centre of Osijek-Baranja County.

409 cruises

Roseau

Dominica · Caribbean & Bahamas

Discover Roseau, Dominica’s attractive capital that is entirely accessible on foot. A French outpost founded in the 16th century, it offers captivating landscapes with spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea, botanical gardens, colonial-style architecture and the impressive St. Patrick’s cathedral, all worth exploring on this MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise. In Dominica, nature reigns. Called the island of 365 rivers, the sound of water is nearly ever-present, beginning with the thermal springs around Roseau. Lush in vegetation, the volcanic origin of the island has created waterfalls, rivers and bubbling pools of hot water rich in minerals flowing from deep within the earth. One MSC excursion not to miss is Hibiscus Falls, with an enchanting waterfall and beautiful pool where you can take a dip amid breath-taking nature. From there, your tour continues on through the central rainforest reserve to the Hibiscus eco-village, followed by a river tubing experience through some of the last and only remaining Carib Indian territory. Or take a guided hiking tour through the rainforest to Emerald Pool, an exquisite waterfall and pool that is among Dominica’s favourite gems. For another natural wonder, take an MSC excursion to the impressive Titou Gorge, a natural crevice in the mountain that spouts hot and cold water at once. Scenes from “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” were also filmed at the gorge. Then at Wotten Waven, relax in the natural hot springs. A long therapeutic soak in the mineral-rich waters will leave you feeling rejuvenated. Looking for something offshore? Dominica is known for whale and dolphin watching. Board a catamaran on an MSC excursion for a chance to spot a dolphin, pilot whale, or a giant humpback whale. Or touch a live volcano as you snorkel above it in the marine reserve, feeling the sulphur heat escaping from the sea bed below.

407 cruises