Port guides

Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)

Florida · Caribbean & Bahamas

With its heady mix of Creole culture and French sophistication, there is more than a pinch of je ne sais quoi in Fort de France. The capital of Martinique, and by far the biggest city in the whole of the French West Indies, if you are looking for Paris in the Caribbean, you’ll find it in Fort de France. The island has been under French govern since 1638 when the first governor of Martinique Jacques Dyel du Parquet commissioned a fort (from which the city takes its name) to keep out invaders. Not even an unsuccessful attack by the British in 1720, nor the French Revolution in 1789, has been able to shake the French govern of the island and today the city’s French and Creole heritage are impossible to untangle. The colonial past is everywhere, take a stroll down the narrow streets and enjoy the remarkable architecture of the Schœlcher Library, St. Louis Cathedral and the Old Town Hall. Among the many legacies Dyel du Parquet left on the island is sugarcane. A drive through the tropical forests will not only reward you with trees bending under the weight of papayas, mangoes and bananas, but will also afford superb vistas of the elegant plant swaying in the breeze. The arrival and subsequent export of sugar brought the French bourgeoisie in their droves and many of their mansions are still standing. Josephine de Beauharnais, the Napoleonic Empress of “not tonight” fame, hails from the island and those interested will find her childhood home, La Pagerie in nearby Trois Ilets.

1,593 cruises

Corfu

Greece · Mediterranean

This sickle-shaped island of Mediterranean bliss flaunts its sun-kissed sophistication with effortless grace - having cherry-picked the best influences from Venetian, French and British occupiers. With over 3,000 years of history, The Grand Lady of the Ionian has played a starring role in Greek history and mythology, and legendary tales swirl around you, as you explore sparkling beaches, mountains splashed with wildflowers, and historical, perched fortresses. The soft hues of Corfu’s UNESCO World Heritage List Old Town brings together Corfu’s mesh of European influences, with its romantic stone floors and vine-clad cafes. Find somewhere to settle in for a morning coffee ritual like a true Corfiat, and sip at the laid-back pace of the locals - allowing the thick bitter concoction to settle before indulging. The oddly out-of-place sound of leather on willow can be heard in Spianada Square – the largest city square in the Balkan region - where a manicured cricket pitch spreads out incongruously below the Mediterranean sun. Take the hike up to the 13th-century Paleokastritsa Monastery, where you’ll be escorted by the resident goats, and have to step over cats contentedly rolling around your feet on arrival. This beautiful, daffodil-yellow building is splashed with a fresco of vivid purple fuchsias, and a crowning triad of bells. Inside, explore gold-framed frescoes, and watch as monks squeeze oil from the monastery’s trees’ bounty. Wander out among the groves to views of Corfu’s never-ending sea reaching out to the horison below you. Corfu’s sweeping sand beaches and hidden coves display the full spectrum of vivid Mediterranean seaside colours – which shift from turquoise greens to cobalt blues. The famous Canal d’Amour is a gorgeous inlet, and island legend says couples who swim together in this narrow channel of water stay together forever. Enjoy an afternoon sit-down and drink of ginger tea, or something a little stronger in the form of Corfu’s famous, radiant orange, kumquat liqueur.

1,568 cruises

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Caribbean & Bahamas

Blessed with some of the oldest buildings in the Western Hemisphere, San Juan, Puerto Rico’s cap-ital, is romantically charming with its bright pastel Spanish colonial facades, wrought-iron balconies abloom with flowers, narrow cobblestone streets and beloved park squares. Once you arrive on an MSC Caribbean and Antilles cruise at the port, explore Old San Juan (Viejo San Juan), a UNESCO World Heritage district, widely renowned for the fortresses of Castillo San Felipe del Morro and the Castillo San Cristóbal. The old town occupies the headland of a 2.5-mile-long island (connected by bridge to the mainland) that shelters San Juan Bay, for centuries a key port in the New World. It was originally known as Puerto Rico, or “rich port,” because its location made it the perfect stop for shipping. Several MSC excursions offer walking tours that let you soak up amazing views of San Juan, while making cultural discoveries of a lifetime. Wander through the old town along the Paseo de la Princesa, San Juan’s oldest tree-lined avenue; head up its southern city wall, La Muralla, which until the late 19th century encircled all of Old San Juan with sandstone; and tour the 16th-century fortress of El Morro, with its six different lines of defence. Take a coffee-tasting walking tour to explore Puerto Rico’s rich coffee culture, and learn how the island’s rich volcanic soil and climate have contributed to the rise of coffee as one of its main crops. Taste a delicious cup of freshly brewed Puerto Rican café con leche, learn about the island's historical ties with the caffeine-rich beverage, and explore how coffee and the church are connected on this MSC excursion through the streets of Old San Juan. Or savour San Juan’s culinary delights, in a Martha Stewart excursion curated exclusively for MSC that will have you tasting local cuisine and drinks at five destinations along the route through the fortified colonial city. From Puerto Rican fritters at historic El Convento Hotel, to chocolate tasting at a fourth-generation chocolatier, you won’t want to miss this tour, which ends at La Casita de Rones for a rum lesson and a piña colada, the national drink of Puerto Rico. With more than 80% of the world's rum coming from Puerto Rico, delve deeper into the spirit on an MSC excursion to Casa Bacardí in the town of Cataño. Discover the story behind Bacardí’s legendary cocktails, sniff the products on display and learn about the rum-making process including wood barrelling, ageing and finishing. For the grand finale, enjoy a fascinating mixology show. Nature lovers will not want to miss a visit to El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. territory and one of Puerto Rico's finest spots of natural beauty. Marvel at its small horsetail waterfalls, giant ferns and tropical hardwoods. For an enchanting experience, kayak into the enchanting bioluminescent bay at Laguna Grande of Fajardo on another MSC excursion. Under the blanket of the night sky and the lighthouse of Fajardo, paddle through the water and watch it glow with the bioluminescence of millions and millions of tiny organisms.

1,520 cruises

Luxor

Egypt · Middle East & Red Sea

Safaga will set your imagination spinning as the gateway to Luxor. Head back to the start of human history and find yourself at Karnak’s staggering complex of temples. Let Egyptologists fill in the missing pieces at Luxor Temple, built with prolific pharaoh patronage. Sail high over the Valley of Kings on a private hot air balloon and go underground to unlock the mystery at Tutankhamun’s tomb. Pay respect to the only woman Pharaoh and salute Egypt’s most considerable, Colossi of Memnon. Sparkly Safaga Red Sea escapades to stony burial chambers, mighty monuments and expressive artistry – this region offers a millennia-old flavour of the world’s greatest ancient wonders.

1,496 cruises

Aswan

Egypt · Middle East & Red Sea

Aswan, a city on the Nile River, has been southern Egypt’s strategic and commercial gateway since antiquity. It contains significant archaeological sites like the Philae temple complex, on Agilkia Island near the landmark Aswan Dam. Philae’s ruins include the columned Temple of Isis, dating to the 4th century B.C. Downriver, Elephantine Island holds the Temple of Khnum, from the Third Dynasty. ―

1,485 cruises

Cairo

Egypt · Mediterranean

Cairo, Egypt’s sprawling capital, is set on the Nile River. At its heart is Tahrir Square and the vast Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities including royal mummies and gilded King Tutankhamun artifacts. Nearby, Giza is the site of the iconic pyramids and Great Sphinx, dating to the 26th century BC. In Gezira Island’s leafy Zamalek district, 187m Cairo Tower affords panoramic city views.

1,485 cruises

Edfu/Esna

Middle East & Red Sea

Edfu is an Egyptian city, located on the west bank of the Nile River between Esna and Aswan, with a population of approximately sixty thousand people. Edfu is the site of the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus and an ancient settlement, Tell Edfu. About 5 km south of Edfu are remains of ancient pyramids.

1,485 cruises

Esna

Middle East & Red Sea

Esther Nara Yoon, better known by her stage name Esna, is a Korean-American singer-songwriter active in South Korea. Her first extended play, eSNa The Singer, was released in October 2015. She has also written songs for other artists, including the 2014 hit single "Some".

1,483 cruises

Durnstein

Northern Europe & Baltic

The small town is part of the Lower Austrian cultural landscape of Wachau, is located directly on the Danube and is surrounded by vineyards. Those arriving by ship have a beautiful view of the two main attractions of Dürnstein: The ruins of the Kuenringerburg towering high above the city, in which Richard the Lionheart was held for several months in 1192/93, and the Dürnstein monastery. The latter is a monastery of the Augustinian Canons which was closed at the end of the 18th century and is known for its blue and white bell tower.

1,472 cruises

Juneau

Alaska · Alaska

Extraordinary adventures amid nature's wildest staging await at Juneau. The majestic Mendenhall Glacier sprawls down from Juneau Icefield, which provides an icy cap to the area's rip-roaring scenery. State capitals simply don't get more dramatic than this isolated, remote city lost amid the Alaskan wilds. Even the roads eventually peter out, absorbed by forests and viewpoints, firmly underlining the isolated location, hidden behind an impenetrable wall of rigid mountains. Rise up to Mount Roberts Tramway's viewpoint, to see the city swallowed by this most colossal backdrop. View less This is glacier country, and no fewer than 38 ice flows branch off from the main Juneau Icefield, slowly carving out valleys in their wakes. Taku Glacier cuts deep into the mountain, forming a colossal sculpture that is one of the world's thickest - almost a mile deep. Mendenhall Glacier cascades down, just 12 miles away from downtown, terminating in its own lake and visitor centre. With 1,500 square miles of ice field to explore, one of the best ways to take in the magnitude and majesty of this epic ice sculpture is to hold on tight on as the propeller whirs, and you soar into the skies on an exhilarating sightseeing flight. Cruising up above the icy world that fills in these serrated mountain peaks is a once in a lifetime experience. The animals that inhabit the Southeast Alaskan wilds are just as inspiring as the landscapes – families of bears patrol the riverbanks, bald eagles survey the surroundings watchfully, and Pacific humpbacks migrate from Hawaii's waters to feast on the krill rich, icy waters. Fish for huge catches, power across the ice in a snow-sledge, or kayak just below glaciers. However you choose to immerse yourself in it, Juneau's incredible outdoor adventures never disappoint.

1,463 cruises

Ketchikan

Alaska · Alaska

The Salmon Capital of the World is a thrilling introduction to wild and wonderful Alaska, sitting at the southern gateway to the Inside Passage's famed route of larger than life scenery. Cruise through the waters, or soar just above in a sightseeing plane, to take in the full majesty of the magnificent Misty Fjords National Monument. Home to grizzly and black bears - as well as cruising whales and swimming seals - the wildlife spotting opportunities in this majestic corner of the world are nothing short of spectacular. View less Towered over by steep banks and valley walls, Ketchikan's ocean inlet is peppered with granite stacks, looming from the waters. Surrounded by glorious landscapes, head to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary, which is alive with bald eagles, black bears and remarkable, thick, yellow banana slugs - the squeamish are advised to keep well clear. Visit Ketchikan's Heritage Centre, where a collection of intricately carved totem poles rise up, preserving the heritage of the indigenous Tlingit and Haida people of these lands. Ketchikan has the world's largest collection, and some of the oldest and most precious totems in existence. This frontier city hasn’t always been so wholesome, however. See the colourful historic street that is built on crooked stilts over Ketchikan Creek, which has a crude history as the main red-light district in the city. The brothels closed in the 1950s, but you can explore this legendarily seedy past at Dolly’s House - a brothel turned museum. See the Married Man trail, a historical route used to enter Creek Street away from prying eyes.

1,438 cruises

Split

Croatia · Mediterranean

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.

1,438 cruises

Bamberg

Germany · Northern Europe & Baltic

Bamberg is a town in northern Bavaria, Germany, laid out over 7 hills where the Regnitz and Main rivers meet. Its old town preserves structures from the 11th to 19th centuries including the muraled Altes Rathaus (town hall), which occupies an island in the Regnitz reached by arched bridges. The Romanesque Bamberg Cathedral, begun in the 11th century, features 4 towers and numerous stone carvings. ―

1,436 cruises

Krems

Austria · Northern Europe & Baltic

The 1,000-year-old city of Krems lies at the end of the Wachau valley. With its medieval buildings and the Steiner Tor – a city gate and popular landmark – it’s a lovely place for a leisurely stroll. Its historic monuments include the Bürgerspitalkirche, a church built in 1470 under Frederick III, Holy Roman Emperor. It has a high altar, which was created by Johann Bernhard Grabenberger between 1860 and 1882. Further sites of interest include the Kunsthalle Krems – a museum which focuses on contemporary art – and the Caricature Museum Krems. At the latter, regular special exhibitions as well as permanent exhibitions by the artists Manfred Deix and Gustav Peichl are sure to put a smile on your face.

1,435 cruises

Wurzburg

Northern Europe & Baltic

The Bavarian city of Würzburg with its impressive buildings in Baroque and Rococo styles is definitely worth a visit. Below the Marienberg Fortress, which is well worth seeing, there are walking paths through the beautiful vineyards that stretch right down to the Main. This is where the good Franconian wine comes from in Bocksbeuteln. The Würzburg Residence is a special attraction, as is the monumental Käppele pilgrimage church. The cathedral and the striking old bridge over the Main are also special points of contact. The Haus zum Falken on the market square is built in Rococo and Gothic styles.

1,431 cruises

Pinhao, Portugal

Western Europe & Atlantic

The little town of Pinhão is located in the famous port wine region, in the area where the Douro and its surrounding landscape are at their most picturesque. It is surrounded by enchanting vineyards and the quintas that produce the wine. You can visit them from Pinhão and enjoy tours and wine tasting. To get there, you can either follow walking trails with glorious views or take a boat that also ferries visitors to interesting stretches of the river. One of the best-known walking trails takes you from the Douro bridge up seven kilometres of the hilly Rua Praça de Oliveira as far as the Casal de Loivos viewing point. The town itself is very unspoilt and has a lovely atmosphere, which makes it a splendid place for a stroll. Be sure to take a look at the Linha do Douro train station, which is decorated with richly coloured azulejo tiles. There are numerous restaurants in town, many of them right on the riverside.

1,424 cruises

Rouen, France

Northern Europe & Baltic

Situated in a natural amphitheater on the Seine River, Rouen's status as a commercial and cultural center reaches as far back as the Middle Ages. As a result of its importance, the city was the target of many sieges. During the English occupation in the Hundred Years' War, Rouen was the site where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake in 1431. Other tragedies include the destruction of a major part of the commercial and industrial center during bombing raids in World War II. Today the city presents an interesting mix of medieval and modern architecture. Rouen expanded outward during the 20th century with the development of industries; its increasingly busy port is now the fourth largest in France. The city's greatest attraction is its historic center. Known as the “City of a Hundred Spires,” many of its important edifices are churches. Dominating the large central square is the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of French Gothic architecture. You may recognize the west façade of the cathedral from a series of studies by Claude Monet, which are now displayed in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris. Surrounding the square are picturesque half-timbered houses with steeply pointed roofs. The wealth of architectural treasures and the ambiance of Rouen's historic center never fail to impress visitors. Rouen also serves as a gateway to Paris. Driving distance is 2 hours by car or 1.5 hours by train. (Trains arrive in Paris at St. Lazare Station.)

1,419 cruises

Rorvik

Northern Europe & Baltic

Rørvik is a port village in the municipality of Nærøysund in Trøndelag county, Norway. It is on the eastern side of the Vikna archipelago on the island of Inner-Vikna. The 1.82-square-kilometre village has a population of 3,129 and a population density of 1,719 inhabitants per square kilometre.

1,381 cruises

Malaga

Spain · Mediterranean

The elegant central zone of Málaga – a stop-off on your MSC cruise of the Mediterranean – is largely pedestrianized with the focal point, marble-paved Calle Marqués de Larios, lined with fashionable stores, its most elegant thoroughfare. Plaza de la Constitución, Málaga’s main square, hosts a monumental fountain flanked by slender palms and the terraces of numerous cafés and restaurants. Málaga centre has a number of interesting churches and museums, not to mention the birthplace of Picasso and the Museo Picasso Málaga, housing an important collection of works by Málaga’s most famous son. Perched on the hill above the town are the formidable citadels of the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro, magnificent vestiges of the seven centuries that the Moors held sway here. Málaga is also renowned for its fish and seafood, which can be sampled at tapas bars and restaurants throughout the city, as well as at the old fishing villages of El Palo and Pedregalejo, now absorbed into the suburbs, where there’s a seafront paseo lined with some of the best marisquerías and chiringuitos (beachside fish restaurants) in the province. The impressive Alcazaba is the place to make for if you’re joining a shore excursion. Clearly visible from your cruise ship, to the left of its entrance on c/Acazabilla stands the Roman Theatre accidentally discovered in 1951, and – following excavation and restoration – now a venue for various outdoor entertainments. The citadel, too, is Roman in origin, with blocks and columns of marble interspersed among the Moorish brick of the double- and triple-arched gateways. Above the Alcazaba, and connected to it by a long double wall (the coracha), is the Gibralfaro castle. Like the Alcazaba, it has been wonderfully restored and now houses an interesting museum devoted to its history.

1,352 cruises

Celebration Key, Grand Bahama Island

1,322 cruises

Qena, Egypt

1,301 cruises

Berlevag

Northern Europe & Baltic

With 1,000 inhabitants, Berlevåg is one of the largest fishing villages in Finnmark County. Several fish processing plants encircle its large harbour. The film “Cool and Crazy” (Heftig og begeistret) from 2001 made Berlevåg well-known worldwide. The documentary on the local male choir touched hearts, and both the film and the choir were invited to events all around the world. The Berlevåg Harbour Museum documents the coastal culture and the amazing story of the 70-year process of building the breakwaters in Berlevåg. Before roads came to Berlevåg in 1959, a safe harbour was a life necessity for the community. The story of the breakwater is a testimony of the strong will and ability to survive in this little fishing village. The breakwater also offers an inspiring walk - whether you want to experience the roaring ocean, the midnight sun or the northern lights.

1,286 cruises

Mehamm

Northern Europe & Baltic

This intimate community is located on the small Vedvik peninsula, a part of the greater Nordkinn Peninsula. While small, Mehamn is active and growing and has a long heritage. Every year, several festivals and cultural events are hosted here. The settlement also has a vibrant nightlife, including a nightclub, with frequent live music performances. It offers several accommodation establishments; a hotel, a guesthouse and a hostel as well as a campsite for RVs/coaches. The primary industry in Mehamn has always been fishing, and the area was originally settled because of its natural harbour and proximity to the fishing grounds. The town is a traditional fishing settlement with about 800 inhabitants, and is the transport hub of the Nordkyn Peninsula. It is also the northernmost port of Hurtigruten. In addition to boats and ships, the preferred means of transport is the snowmobile.

1,286 cruises

Stamsund

Northern Europe & Baltic

This charming fishing village is located on the south side of the island of Vestvågøy in the Lofoten archipelago, along the Vestfjord. With a population of 1,000, Stamsund is an important fishing port and the largest base for Lofoten trawl fishing. Gradually, more and more tourists discover Lofoten, with its marvelous scenery, enhanced by the midnight sun in the summer and the northern lights in the winter. Lofoten’s legendary seasonal fishery takes place from January to April, with bustling activity on land and sea. The waters off Stamsund offer excellent opportunities for fishing, especially in March. The surrounding mountains offer ample opportunities for hiking.

1,286 cruises