Cruise Program

Cruise Details

West Mediterrannean- Oceana P&O Cruise

Step aboard Oceana in Southampton and sail into the springtime sunshine of the Mediterranean. After rounding the Pillars of Hercules in Gibraltar (not to mention some fantastic duty-free shopping) the many treasures of the Mediterranean await. Endless rugged coastal scenery, mouth-watering culinary delights, an ever-changing tapestry of cultures. Delve into Gaudi’s modernist masterpieces and Renaissance riches, climb leaning towers and meander in Marseilles. Let Rome (tours from Civitavecchia) seduce you with its vibrant colourful history, then sail into the Grand Harbour of Valletta, on tiny but mighty Malta before flying home to the UK.

Main stops of your itinerary:

Gibraltar

Britons love cruising to 'home from home' Mediterranean cruise port Gibraltar - and not just because it has some excellent pubs and tax free shops (good buys include glassware, china, leather goods, alcohol, perfume, silk and cashmere garments).
Birdwatchers can spot more than 230 species and there are clearly marked nature trails you can follow to discover the country's flora and fauna.
The most famous 'fauna' of course, are Gibraltar's Barbary apes - get off the cable car at the halfway station to see these, then proceed to the top and hire an audio tape charting the Rock's fascinating history.
Alternatively spend a day at the beach - Catalan Bay is the prettiest, with its colourful fishing boats and excellent seafood restaurants.

Barcelona-Spain

The Catalonian capital of Barcelona provides a vivid mix of ancient and modern but is probably best know for the bizarre Art Nouveau architecture of Antonio Gaudi, in particular the iconic Sagrada Familia, Europe's most extraordinary - and still unfinished - cathedral.
Boosted by hosting the Olympic Games in 1992, Barcelona's Old Port area has been transformed into a thriving area of cafés and restaurants. From there, it is an easy stroll up the famous Rambla to the old town. Las Ramblas is thronged with street entertainers, stalls and bars and is most lively at night and weekends. Not to be missed is the La Boqueria food market with its extraordinary displays of fish, meat, fruit and vegetables.
Some of the best food in Spain can be found in the city - paella is a speciality - and the restaurant Cal Pep was recently named as one of the top 50 places to eat in the world.

Marseille-France

'The more the merrier' seems to be the motto in the artistic melting pot of Marseille. And not just at dinner, where a Bouillabaisse fish stew is best shared en masse. France's oldest (and second largest) city is a crossroads for migration, and so a kaleidoscope of history and culture has been gently simmering since The Greeks first arrived in 600BC.
Of course, take in the must-see sights - the historic Canebière boulevard stretching from the Old Port to the Réformés quarter, and the fortressed Vieux-Port harbour packed with theatres, bars and restaurants; its mellow buildings staggering the hillside topped like a wedding cake with the Notre-Dame de la Garde. Then there's the romance of the Art Deco-style opera house or the crashing waves of Calanques' rugged limestone cliffs.

La Spezia-Italy

Tucked into the Ligurian coastline between Genoa and Pisa, is the pretty town of La Spezia - one of Italy's most important military and commercial harbours. But it's not this that attracts so many. La Spezia is the gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site called Cinque Terre - a collection of five coastal villages perched on the coastline. Monterosso al Marc is famous for its beaches. Vernazza is a charming fishing port decorated with colourful buildings. Cornigilia is perched high above sea level with painted houses clinging to the cliff face. Peaceful Manarolais is modern in comparison and boasts a rocky cove. While Riomaggiore is a pretty town with attractive tall houses marching up the hillside.

Rome-Italy

Standing in the Colosseum, visiting Vatican City and tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain are all unique experiences of a lifetime to be had in the Eternal City of Rome, reached from your Italian cruise port Civitavecchia.
Rome's breathtaking monuments, palaces, churches and classical features are quite unlike anything you will find in any other European city. They will always leave you wanting to come back for more - hence the coin-tossing, which is said to guarantee your return.
The city's other must-sees include the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon (probably the most complete ancient Roman building in the city) and the Sistine Chapel, home to Michelangelo's masterpieces.
While steeped in history, Rome is also a modern, bustling city with designer shops and chic boutiques at every turn. Reasonably priced department stores selling all the latest fashions can be found in the many pedestrianised shopping streets, while restaurants and cafés spill out onto piazzas offering authentic Italian dishes and sensational ice cream.

Malta

The fortifications at Malta's Grand Harbour speak volumes about her past, indeed her reputation for valour during the Second World war earned her the George Cross and there aren't too many islands you can say that of!
Mosta and Medina (the silent city) will vie for your attention if you want to go wandering.