AMALFI
Who goes there: Azamara Club Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea, Star Clippers, Windstar Cruises.
Cruisers like: Amalfi is known for its beautiful cathedrals, black-pebble beaches and its lemon liqueur, Limoncello. Visit Saint Andrew’s Cathedral which overlooks the Piazza Duomo. The cathedral dates back to the 11th century and is adorned in the late Baroque style. Another fascinating place to visit is the Museum of Handmade Paper where you can see how Amalfi celebrates its paper-making traditions.
Best for: Families.
Getting around: Tenders will take you from the cruise ship to the port. It is easy to explore on foot.
CAPRI
Who goes there: Costa Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Silversea, Swan Hellenic, Windstar Cruises.
Cruisers like: Capri is famous for the Blue Grotto, a sea cave that fills filled with blue or emerald light which makes it a popular with swimmers and divers. It is one of many sea caves on this tiny Italian island. Other major attractions include Villa San Michele, a house built at the top of the Phoenician Steps which is now a museum. The gardens have spectacular views of Mount Vesuvius and are adorned with relics and works of art from ancient Egypt and other ancient cultures. Just off the coast, the faraglioni are striking coastal and ocean rock formations that have been eroded by waves. Don’t leave without trying Limoncello, a local lemon-flavoured liqueur, and a plate of totani e patate (cuttlefish with potatoes).
Best for: Divers and families.
Getting around: Capri is a destination for smaller ships and passengers are usually tendered ashore. There are taxis and buses available.
CIVITAVECCHIA, ROME
Who goes there: AIDA Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Phoenix Reisen, Princess Cruises, Pullmantur Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Silversea, Star Clippers, TUI Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, Voyages of Antiquity, Windstar Cruises.
Cruisers like: Civitavecchia is 70 kilometres northwest of Rome, the capital of Italy and one of the most architecturally beautiful cities in the world. Rome has countless historical sites, from Ancient Rome to the Neoclassicism period, and an abundance of museums, galleries, churches, gardens and parks. Vatican City, a city-state surrounded by Rome, is worth visiting to see St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Other major attractions include the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum and The Pantheon. Rome is also one of the best places to eat and shop – you can pick up everything from high-end fashion designers such as Prada and Dolce and Gabbana to trinkets at the flea markets. Rome’s three famous fashion streets are Via Condotti, Via Borgognona and Via Frattina. But if you want to stay close to port, Civitavecchia has some pebbled beaches.
Best for: Everyone.
Getting around: There are three trains cruisers can take if they want to visit Rome. It’s advised cruise guests take either the Fast train or the Fast Track Express Train to Rome which takes around 40 minutes each way. Or you can organise your own shuttle/taxi but it can cost up to around €130 upwards per car.
GENOA
Who goes there: AIDA Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Phoenix Reisen, Princess Cruises, Pullmantur Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruise, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Silversea, Star Clippers, TUI Cruises, Viking Oceans, Voyages of Antiquity, Windstar Cruises.
Cruisers like: Genoa is a beautiful city known for its rolling hills and historic centre. The city centre is a maze of squares flanked by buildings from the Baroque period with shops, cafes and restaurants. Some of the highlights include the ancient seaside district of Boccadasse with its multi-coloured boats bobbing in the harbour. The promenade runs along the Lido d’Albaro and is known for its delicious gelato. Other sites to visit include the Edoardo Chiossone Museum of Oriental Art, for one of the largest collections of Asian art in Europe. Genoa is known for its pesto, a pasta sauce made with basil, pine nuts, garlic and parmigiano-reggiano cheese. It is usually served over pasta or cooked with potatoes and green beans. Genoa also has a thriving nightlife with bars, clubs and cabaret venues lining the streets.
Best for: Everyone.
Getting around: The port is surrounded by an industrial area off a highway, but the cruise terminal is close to town. You may need a taxi if you have luggage but otherwise, it’s only a five- to 10-minute walk.
LIVORNO
Who goes there: AIDA Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Phoenix Reisen, Princess Cruises, Pullmantur Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Silversea, Star Clippers, TUI Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, Voyages of Antiquity, Windstar Cruises.
Cruisers like: The port at Livorno in Tuscany is about 13 kilometres from Pisa and 80 kilometres from Florence. Pisa, which is famous for its Leaning Tower, has more than 20 historic churches, several medieval palaces and a number of elegant bridges across the River Arno. Highlights include the Santa Maria della Spina, a small white marble church known for its Gothic architecture. Florence has been home to some of the world’s best artists and at the Uffizi gallery you will find Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Adoration of the Magi, Rembrandt’s Self-portrait as a Young Man and many more. Michelangelo’s famous statue of David stands in the Gallery of the Academy of Florence. Florence is also known for its antipasti, which includes chicken-live pate and sliced meats often served with melon. Livorno itself is an attractive town with historic fortifications, a colourful waterfront and beaches nearby.
Best for: Families and art lovers.
Getting around: Livorno’s new cruise terminal is about 500 metres from the town centre, but larger ships dock at the container terminal. Shuttle buses are provided for around five euro and will drop you off at the Piazza Grande in the town centre. If you want to head to Pisa or Florence, the train station is about three kilometres from the port. It takes 15-20 minutes by train to Pisa and about 90 minutes to Florence.
NAPLES
Who goes there: AIDA Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Phoenix Reisen, Princess Cruises, Pullmantur Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Silversea, Star Clippers, TUI Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, Voyages of Antiquity, Windstar Cruises.
Cruisers like: Naples is one of the most picturesque cities in Italy and has long been known as a centre of art and architecture. It has an abundance of medieval, Baroque and Renaissance-era churches, castles and palaces. Artists such as Domenico Morelli were educated at Neapolitan Academy of Fine Arts. Visit the San Francesco di Paola church on the west side of the Piazza del Plebiscito, the city’s main square. When visiting Naples, cruisers cannot go past its cuisine. Naples is famous for margherita pizza, cooked in a wood-burning ovens, and pasta, such as spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams), a specialty at seaside restaurants.
Best for: Families.
Getting around: Ships dock in the centre of Naples so it’s easy to get around.
SICILY
Who goes there: AIDA Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Phoenix Reisen, Princess Cruises, Pullmantur Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Silversea, Star Clippers, TUI Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, Voyages of Antiquity, Windstar Cruises.
Cruisers like: Sitting off the tip of Italy’s “boot”, Sicily has five ports – Catania, Messina, Palermo, Syracuse and Trapani. The city of Palmero is fast-paced with a mix of Arabic and Norman influences. One of the most notable sites is the Palermo Cathedral. With a mix of architectural styles, it is one of the most striking buildings in the city. In Messina, Mount Etna is popular spot for hikers and climbers. One of the highlights in Catania is u Liotru, or Fontana dell’Elefante, a statue of an elephant carved from volcanic stone, topped by an Egyptian obelisk, which stands in the Piazza Duomo. Legend has it that the original elephant was neuter, which the men of Catania took as an insult to their virility. The architect Giovanni Battista Vaccarini then added testicles to the statue. Syracuse is notable for its rich Greek history, culture and architecture. Visit the Temple of Apollo or the Roman amphitheatre. Trapani has no existing ancient remains and much of the city was built during the medieval and early modern periods. Notable buildings include 14th-century church of San Agostino and Santuario dell’Annunziata, the cathedral, the church of Santa Maria di Gesù, and the Baroque Palazzo della Guidecca.
Best for: History lovers and couples.
Getting around: Catania’s port is a 15 minute walk from the town centre and there are taxis available. In Messina, ships dock about half a block from the main streets and the train station is about a 10 minute walk. Palermo’s cruise port is only a few metres away from downtown. Syracuse has only a few berths for big ships, so you may be tendered into the centre of town where it’s easy to walk around and you can catch a bus to surrounding towns. In Trapani, smaller ships dock right in front of the old town and from larger cruise ships, you will be tendered to a floating pier in the centre of town.
POSITANO
Who goes there: Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club, Star Clippers.
Cruisers like: This beautiful town on the Amalfi coast is known for its pastel-coloured houses built along the cliff face. The church of Santa Maria Assunta features a black Madonna which, according to local legend, was stolen from Byzantium and transported across the Mediterranean by pirates. Positano is also known for its beaches.
Best for: Families.
Getting around: Cruise ships are not allowed to dock in Positano so you will be tendered ashore.
VENICE
Who goes there: AIDA Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Phoenix Reisen, Princess Cruises, Pullmantur Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, Silversea, Star Clippers, TUI Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises, Voyages of Antiquity, Windstar Cruises.
Cruisers like: Known as The Floating City, Venice is one of the most iconic cities in Italy and, without a doubt, one of the most romantic places in the world. Guests can take a gondola ride down one of Venice’s many canals. Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square) is one of the most visited places in Venice – just be careful of the pigeons! Other tourist attractions include the Clock Tower, a Renaissance tower where visitors can have a look at the clock mechanisms. Venice is also a great place for shopping and many of the fashion boutiques and jewellery shops are located near the Rialto Bridge in the Piazza San Marco. Men can pick up an Ermenegildo Zegna suit from the famous flagship store. If you want something to remember Venice, buy one of the famous hand-painted porcelain Venetian masks. Venice is also known for its seafood and as well as the produce from the islands of the lagoon. Game and polenta are other popular foods that are common in Venetian cuisine.
Best for: Foodies, history and literature buffs, romantics.
Getting around: The Port of Venice has several passenger terminals and all are just around the corner from Piazza San Marco. As soon as you step off your ship, are you are in the centre of Venice. The Venezia Mestre Railway station is about 10km away and can be reached by public bus or taxis.