Price based on lowest available cruise only fare for double occupancy. Subject to change at any time.
Voted 2020 Best Service - Large Ship Category – Cruise Critic Cruiser's Choice Awards
Celebrity Equinox® is now making even more waves in the cruise world. From adding elevated design concepts and technology across the ship to The Retreat®, an exclusive experience for guests of The Retreat that includes The Retreat® Sundeck and The Retreat® Lounge, the change is phenomenal. These new venues combined with our award-winning Luminae are sure to please. Slip into new eXhale® bedding featuring Cashmere℠ Mattresses that will surround you in luxury—literally. The very essence of premium cruising. And after some extensive upgrades, that's more true than ever before. With new amenities not available on any other Celebrity ship, prepare to have your expectations exceeded as soon as you step on board. Delight in your choice of ten exceptional dining venues. Enjoy craft beer and comfort food in the new Craft Social and sip refreshing frozen cocktails on the pool deck at Slush. A unique experience at sea, feel grass beneath your feet at the relaxing Lawn Club. Every imaginable comfort complimented by Celebrity's unrivaled guest services promises an unsurpassed cruise experience no matter your destination.
Celebrity Equinox is sailing with Starlink - the world's most advanced broadband satellite internet - to bring you high-speed connectivity for a better onboard experience.
Cruise ID: 39768
Hot Glass Show
Don't just appreciate art, experience it. Witness the incredible, gorgeous art of glass-blowing with intimate live demonstrations. Watch and learn from professional glass-blowers in this one-of-a-kind exhibition on Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox, and Celebrity Eclipse.
The Lawn Club
A freshly manicured lawn on the highest deck. Enjoy casual outdoor activities in a decidedly Country Club atmosphere, and let the grass between your toes take you places no cruise.
has gone before.
Celebrity iLounge
Featuring 26 Apple Macbook Pro workstations, with Apple products for sale. Classes on how to use Mac products and software are available on most sailings.
Dancing with the Stripes
Dance tournament. Guests are partnered with ship officers during a dance competition. A panel of judges vote on each round until there is only one couple left.
A service gratuity will be automatically applied to each guest's SeaPass® account on a daily basis for sailings*, excluding guests in Excluding Bookings.** Current amounts*** for the daily gratuity are listed below. The gratuities described above are distributed to the crew, such as dining, bar and culinary services staff, stateroom attendants and other hotel services teams, and others who work to enhance the overall cruise experience.
A 20% gratuity will be automatically added to spa and salon purchases and a 20% gratuity will also be automatically added to specialty dining, beverage, beverage package, room service and mini bar purchases.
Gratuities may be adjusted at the guest's discretion onboard at Guest Relations up until the morning of their departure.
* Guests sailing in group reservations should check with their group's leader or travel agent for details.
**Excluded Bookings include all staterooms booked either (i) at the All Included rate (formerly Always Included on or before October 4, 2023); or (ii) in the Retreat or AquaClass stateroom category from July 14, 2022, to October 4, 2023. Stateroom and restaurant service gratuities, and a 20% beverage package gratuity, are included in the fare of all guests in an Excluded Booking.
***Gratuity amounts are subject to change.
Date | Time | Price * | Booking |
---|---|---|---|
30 October 2026 | 17:00 | €1,643 | Call us to book |
09 November 2026 | 17:00 | €1,643 | Call us to book |
* Price based on lowest available cruise only fare for double occupancy. Subject to change at any time.
Take your Celebrity vacation to new heights in a Sky Suite. Be welcomed with a bottle of sparkling wine and enjoy the luxury of your butler throughout your stay. Plus enjoy exclusive access to dining and lounge areas reserved only for guests of The Retreat. Accessible Sky Suites available.
Perfectly designed Sky Suites offer a blend of expansive views and intimate luxury. These large suites feature our signature Cashmere™ Mattress with eXhale® bedding and a spacious, private veranda.
Be welcomed with a bottle of sparkling wine and enjoy the luxury of your butler throughout your stay. Plus, enjoy access to Luminae and The Retreat Lounge, exclusive for guests of The Retreat.
Highlights
*Bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed.
Exclusive services and amenities
The best amenities, all included.*
As a guest of The Retreat, you'll also enjoy a long list of thoughtfully curated amenities that start with premium drinks and premium Wi-Fi, in addition to a private restaurant and exclusive lounge.
Premium Drinks | Enjoy your favorite beverages throughout the ship. Whether dining in our restaurants, out exploring, or relaxing by the pool.
Premium Wi-Fi | Always stay connected, no matter where you are, with complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi.
*Special fares and MoveUp upgrades from non-suite staterooms do not receive these amenities.
Services & amenities for Sky Suite guests
Intuitive Service
World-class cuisine
Thoughtfully curated amenities
Little details make a world of difference, and now our meticulously thought out Concierge Class staterooms are even better. Featuring services, amenities, and exclusive events, step inside and discover a space that is so much more than a room—it's an experience. As a Concierge Class guest, your team of dedicated professionals will take care of all your vacation needs.
*Imagery of Revolutionized Celebrity Silhouette.
Amenities
Stateroom Features
Services
Dining
*Additional charges apply
**Bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed
† $9.95 service fee and 20% gratuity may apply
Your personal veranda lets you greet the day, enjoy fresh sea breezes, and soak in breathtaking sunsets.
Spacious staterooms located in the aft of the ship, each with its own private veranda to enjoy the beautiful sunsets. Sunset Veranda staterooms offer superb ocean views at the stern of the ship. Your personal veranda lets you greet the day, enjoy fresh sea breezes, and soak in breathtaking sunsets.
Amenities
Stateroom Features
Services
Dining
*Additional charges apply
**Bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed
† $9.95 service fee and 20% gratuity may apply
Indoor and outdoor space come together to create your private sanctuary at sea. Relax in a spacious stateroom and enjoy amenities that all contribute to your luxury experience. Prime Veranda staterooms are well-appointed, personal retreats located in the most-desirable locations on the ship.
Amenities
Stateroom Features
Services
Dining
*Additional charges apply
**Bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed
† $9.95 service fee and 20% gratuity may apply
Solstice AquaClass guests enjoy a private veranda, Exhale® bedding, premium bathroom amenities, massaging showerhead and complimentary fitness classes. Plus, unlimited access to the Persian Garden, complimentary dining at Blu, and personal spa concierge.
Wellness is so fundamental to our philosophy, we offer AquaClass® staterooms for a fully immersive, next-level wellness experience. Elements are thoughtfully infused throughout your stateroom. Savour clean cuisine, including new healthy options, at your exclusive restaurant, Blu. Plus, you'll enjoy access to the Persian Garden, a spa concierge, a complimentary fitness pass, preferential rates on AquaClass spa packages, daily in-room bottled water service, healthy room-service menu options, and a yoga mat for use on board. We've thought of everything so that you can focus on nourishing your mind, body, and spirit.
Available on Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Silhouette & Celebrity Solstice
Spa Benefits
Amenities
Dining
*Additional charges apply
† $9.95 service fee and 20% gratuity may apply
**Bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed
Indoor and outdoor space come together to create your private sanctuary at sea. Relax in a spacious stateroom and enjoy amenities that all contribute to your luxury experience. Your personal veranda lets you greet the day and enjoy fresh sea breezes.
Amenities
Stateroom Features
Services
Dining
*Additional charges apply
**Bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed
† $9.95 service fee and 20% gratuity may apply
Your escape at sea, Inside staterooms offer ample living space, including a sitting area and a flat screen TV. Each inside stateroom on board Celebrity includes world-class amenities. Prime Inside staterooms are well-appointed, personal retreats located in the most-desirable locations on the ship.
Amenities
Stateroom Features
Services
Dining
*Additional charges apply
**Bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed
† $9.95 service fee and 20% gratuity may apply
Ocean View staterooms, the ideal place to unwind at sea. These perfectly indulgent spaces come furnished with Celebrity's eXhale® bedding featuring the luxury king sized* mattress and everything else a modern traveler needs.
Amenities
Stateroom Features
Services
Dining
*Additional charges apply
**Bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed
† $9.95 service fee and 20% gratuity may apply
With spaces fit for a king or queen, our Royal Suites deliver on style and comfort. Separate living, dining, and sleeping areas provide all the room you need to relax in luxury.
Unwind in a luxuriously large living area featuring floor to ceiling panoramic windows. The Royal Suite features our luxury Cashmere™ Mattress, a primary bathroom with a large soaking tub, a separate shower, a double sink vanity, and a spacious private veranda. No matter where you are in this suite, you'll enjoy stunning views of the sea, the way every royal should.
Highlights
*Bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed.
Exclusive services and amenities
The best amenities, all included.*
As a guest of The Retreat, you'll also enjoy a long list of thoughtfully curated amenities that start with premium drinks and premium Wi-Fi, in addition to a private restaurant and exclusive lounge.
Premium Drinks | Enjoy your favorite beverages throughout the ship. Whether dining in our restaurants, out exploring, or relaxing by the pool.
Premium Wi-Fi | Always stay connected, no matter where you are, with complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi.
*Special fares and MoveUp upgrades from non-suite staterooms do not receive these amenities.
Services & amenities for Royal Suite guests
Intuitive Service
World-class cuisine
Thoughtfully curated amenities
Your escape at sea, Inside staterooms offer ample living space, including a sitting area and a flat screen TV. Each inside stateroom on board Celebrity includes world-class amenities.
Amenities
Stateroom Features
Services
Dining
*Additional charges apply
**Bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed
† $9.95 service fee and 20% gratuity may apply
Our Penthouse Suites feature a primary bedroom, bathroom, dining area, guest bedroom and bathroom, terrace, and private hot tub. They even have an attentive butler on hand to ensure you never have to lift a finger during your vacation.
Unwind in modern spaces that will make you feel on top of the world. Relax in ultimate luxury on your private veranda. Lounge in the king-size Cashmere™ Mattress in your bedroom. Enjoy VIP treatment with your butler, expansive lounge areas and much more.
Highlights
*Bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed.
Exclusive services and amenities
The best amenities, all included.*
As a guest of The Retreat, you'll also enjoy a long list of thoughtfully curated amenities that start with premium drinks and premium Wi-Fi, in addition to a private restaurant and exclusive lounge.
Premium Drinks | Enjoy your favorite beverages throughout the ship. Whether dining in our restaurants, out exploring, or relaxing by the pool.
Premium Wi-Fi | Always stay connected, no matter where you are, with complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi.
*Special fares and MoveUp upgrades from non-suite staterooms do not receive these amenities.
Services & amenities for Penthouse Suite guests
Intuitive Service
World-class cuisine
Thoughtfully curated amenities
Expansive views make Ocean View staterooms the ideal place to unwind at sea. These perfectly indulgent spaces come furnished with Celebrity's eXhale(R) bedding featuring the luxury king sized* mattress and everything else a modern traveler needs. Prime Ocean View staterooms are well-appointed, personal retreats located in the most-desirable locations on the ship.
Amenities
Stateroom Features
Services
Dining
*Additional charges apply
**Bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed
† $9.95 service fee and 20% gratuity may apply
Little details make a world of difference, and now our meticulously thought out Concierge Class staterooms are even better. Featuring services, amenities, and exclusive events, step inside and discover a space that is so much more than a room—it's an experience. As a Concierge Class guest, your team of dedicated professionals will take care of all your vacation needs.
*Imagery of Revolutionized Celebrity Silhouette.
Amenities
Stateroom Features
Services
Dining
*Additional charges apply
**Bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed
† $9.95 service fee and 20% gratuity may apply
Ample indoor and outdoor space come together to create your private sanctuary at sea. Relax on your spacious veranda and enjoy amenities that all contribute to your luxury experience. Your personal veranda lets you greet the day and enjoy fresh sea breezes.
Amenities
Stateroom Features
Services
Dining
*Additional charges apply
**Bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed
† $9.95 service fee and 20% gratuity may apply
Take your Celebrity vacation to new heights in a Sky Suite. Be welcomed with a bottle of sparkling wine and enjoy the luxury of your butler throughout your stay. Plus enjoy exclusive access to dining and lounge areas reserved only for guests of The Retreat. Accessible Sky Suites available.
Perfectly designed Sky Suites offer a blend of expansive views and intimate luxury. These large suites feature our signature Cashmere™ Mattress with eXhale® bedding and a spacious, private veranda.
Be welcomed with a bottle of sparkling wine and enjoy the luxury of your butler throughout your stay. Plus, enjoy access to Luminae and The Retreat Lounge, exclusive for guests of The Retreat.
Highlights
*Bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed.
Exclusive services and amenities
The best amenities, all included.*
As a guest of The Retreat, you'll also enjoy a long list of thoughtfully curated amenities that start with premium drinks and premium Wi-Fi, in addition to a private restaurant and exclusive lounge.
Premium Drinks | Enjoy your favorite beverages throughout the ship. Whether dining in our restaurants, out exploring, or relaxing by the pool.
Premium Wi-Fi | Always stay connected, no matter where you are, with complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi.
*Special fares and MoveUp upgrades from non-suite staterooms do not receive these amenities.
Services & amenities for Sky Suite guests
Intuitive Service
World-class cuisine
Thoughtfully curated amenities
ALL EXCLUSIVE, ALL INCLUDED, WELLNESS-INSPIRED SUITES
Introducing our Aqua Sky Suites, which combine our well-being inspired AquaClass experience with exclusive spaces, services, and amenities of The Retreat® to leave you more renewed than ever. These suites feature a king-sized bed with exclusive eXhale® bedding and a spacious, private veranda. Spa-inspired elements are thoughtfully infused throughout, including eco-friendly bathroom products, on-demand wellness programming on your stateroom TV, yoga mats, in-stateroom fitness amenities, daily bottled water service, and an enhanced air filtration system—which you'll now find in all our staterooms.
Wellness is so fundamental to our philosophy, we've created a whole new way to nourish your mind and body. Aqua Sky Suites combine the best of our rejuvenating AquaClass® experience with the ultimate luxury of The Retreat®. These suites feature a king-sized** bed with exclusive eXhale® bedding and a spacious, private veranda. Spa-inspired elements are thoughtfully infused throughout, including eco-friendly bathroom products, yoga mats, in-stateroom fitness amenities, and daily bottled water service..
As an Aqua Sky Suite guest, you'll also enjoy a long list of thoughtfully curated amenities combining the best of AquaClass and access to The Retreat.
Highlights
Exclusive services and amenities
The best amenities, all included.*
As a guest of The Retreat, you'll also enjoy a long list of thoughtfully curated amenities that start with premium drinks and premium Wi-Fi, in addition to a private restaurant and exclusive lounge.
Premium Drinks | Enjoy your favorite beverages throughout the ship. Whether dining in our restaurants, out exploring, or relaxing by the pool.
Premium Wi-Fi | Always stay connected, no matter where you are, with complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi.
*Special fares and MoveUp upgrades from non-suite staterooms do not receive these amenities.
Services & amenities for Aqua Sky Suite guests
Intuitive Service
World-class cuisine
Thoughtfully curated amenities
It's time you got the Celebrity treatment. Your butler will assist you at every step and you'll receive exclusive restaurant and lounge access.
These two-room suites feature a large living area with floor to ceiling panoramic windows, private veranda, and a primary bedroom with a king-sized bed from our signature mattress. When you stay in a Celebrity Suite, you'll enjoy the luxury of a butler. This includes assistance with unpacking and packing. In-suite lunch and dinner service. Afternoon tea. Evening hors d'oeuvres and complimentary in-suite specialty coffees from Café al Bacio.
Highlights
*Bed as large or larger than average standard international king-size bed.
Exclusive services and amenities
The best amenities, all included.*
As a guest of The Retreat, you'll also enjoy a long list of thoughtfully curated amenities that start with premium drinks and premium Wi-Fi, in addition to a private restaurant and exclusive lounge.
Premium Drinks | Enjoy your favorite beverages throughout the ship. Whether dining in our restaurants, out exploring, or relaxing by the pool.
Premium Wi-Fi | Always stay connected, no matter where you are, with complimentary unlimited Wi-Fi.
*Special fares and MoveUp upgrades from non-suite staterooms do not receive these amenities.
Services & amenities for Celebrity Suite guests
Intuitive Service
World-class cuisine
Thoughtfully curated amenities
Day 1 Barcelona, Spain
The infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tile and stained glass of Art Nouveau facades, the art and music, the throb of street life, the food (ah, the food!)—one way or another, Barcelona will find a way to get your full attention. The capital of Catalonia is a banquet for the senses, with its beguiling mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafés and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. A stroll along La Rambla and through waterfront Barceloneta, as well as a tour of Gaudí's majestic Sagrada Famíliaand his other unique creations, are part of a visit to Spain's second-largest city. Modern art museums and chic shops call for attention, too. Barcelona's vibe stays lively well into the night, when you can linger over regional wine and cuisine at buzzing tapas bars.
Day 2 Cruising
Day 3 Valletta, Malta
Malta's capital, the minicity of Valletta, has ornate palaces and museums protected by massive fortifications of honey-color limestone. Houses along the narrow streets have overhanging wooden balconies for people-watching from indoors. Generations ago they gave housebound women a window on the world of the street. The main entrance to town is through the City Gate (where all bus routes end), which leads onto Triq Repubblika (Republic Street), the spine of the grid-pattern city and the main shopping street. Triq Mercante (Merchant Street) parallels Repubblika to the east and is also good for strolling. From these two streets, cross streets descend toward the water; some are stepped. Valletta's compactness makes it ideal to explore on foot. City Gate and the upper part of Valletta are experiencing vast redevelopment that includes a new Parliament Building and open-air performance venue. The complex, completed mid-2013, has numerous pedestrian detours in place along with building noise and dust. Before setting out along Republic Street, stop at the tourist information office on Merchant Street for maps and brochures.
Day 4 Cruising
Day 5 Soúda, Crete, Greece
Day 6 Katakolon, Greece
Katakolon could not seem less of a cruise port if it tried. A tiny enclave clinging to the western Peloponnese coast, it's a sleepy place except when ships dock. But it's a popular cruise destination because of its proximity to Olympia. Ancient Olympia was one of the most important cities in classical Greece. The Sanctuary of Zeus was the city's raison d'être, and attracted pilgrims from around the eastern Mediterranean, and later the city played host to Olympic Games, the original athletic games that were the inspiration for today's modern sporting pan-planetary meet. At the foot of the tree-covered Kronion hill, in a valley near two rivers, Katakolon is today one of the most popular ancient sites in Greece. If you don't want to make the trip to Olympia, then Katakolon is an ideal place for a leisurely Greek lunch while you watch the fishermen mend their nets, but there's just not much else to do there.
Day 7 Messina, Italy
Home to the Museo Regionale of Messina, known for featuring two of Caravaggio's paintings, the city is also famous for having been the capital of the ancient kingdom of Sicily.
Day 8 Naples, Italy
Naples, in the Campania region, is Italy's third largest city. Its claim to fame is the spectacular location along one of the world's most splendid bays, backed by the perfect cone of Mount Vesuvius. In addition to its beautiful setting, Naples' surprises with other outstanding attractions such as the Royal Palace, San Carlos Opera House, the impressive National Archaeological Museum and the Castel Nuovo, dating from the 13th-century. The city's central area is best explored on foot. Chaotic traffic conditions make driving around the city a very frustrating experience. Naples provides a convenient starting point for trips to such favored destinations as Pompeii, Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius. The Isle of Capri can be reached via a 45-minute hydrofoil service. The region of Campania was home to Greeks settlers some 300 years before Rome was founded. Pompeii, too, was a Greek town before being conquered by the Romans during the 5th century BC. It was under the Romans that Pompeii flourished and grew prosperous. When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, the population of 20,000 was wiped out, but dozens of buildings were preserved under layers of cinder more than 20 feet deep. The most important finds from Pompeii are displayed in Naples' National Archaeological Museum. A visit here will no doubt enhance a visit to ancient Pompeii.
Day 9 Civitavecchia, Italy
Italy's vibrant capital lives in the present, but no other city on earth evokes its past so powerfully. For over 2,500 years, emperors, popes, artists, and common citizens have left their mark here. Archaeological remains from ancient Rome, art-stuffed churches, and the treasures of Vatican City vie for your attention, but Rome is also a wonderful place to practice the Italian-perfected il dolce far niente, the sweet art of idleness. Your most memorable experiences may include sitting at a caffè in the Campo de' Fiori or strolling in a beguiling piazza.
Day 10 Cruising
Day 11 Barcelona, Spain
The infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tile and stained glass of Art Nouveau facades, the art and music, the throb of street life, the food (ah, the food!)—one way or another, Barcelona will find a way to get your full attention. The capital of Catalonia is a banquet for the senses, with its beguiling mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafés and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. A stroll along La Rambla and through waterfront Barceloneta, as well as a tour of Gaudí's majestic Sagrada Famíliaand his other unique creations, are part of a visit to Spain's second-largest city. Modern art museums and chic shops call for attention, too. Barcelona's vibe stays lively well into the night, when you can linger over regional wine and cuisine at buzzing tapas bars.
Day 1 Barcelona, Spain
The infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tile and stained glass of Art Nouveau facades, the art and music, the throb of street life, the food (ah, the food!)—one way or another, Barcelona will find a way to get your full attention. The capital of Catalonia is a banquet for the senses, with its beguiling mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafés and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. A stroll along La Rambla and through waterfront Barceloneta, as well as a tour of Gaudí's majestic Sagrada Famíliaand his other unique creations, are part of a visit to Spain's second-largest city. Modern art museums and chic shops call for attention, too. Barcelona's vibe stays lively well into the night, when you can linger over regional wine and cuisine at buzzing tapas bars.
Day 2 Cruising
Day 3 Valletta, Malta
Malta's capital, the minicity of Valletta, has ornate palaces and museums protected by massive fortifications of honey-color limestone. Houses along the narrow streets have overhanging wooden balconies for people-watching from indoors. Generations ago they gave housebound women a window on the world of the street. The main entrance to town is through the City Gate (where all bus routes end), which leads onto Triq Repubblika (Republic Street), the spine of the grid-pattern city and the main shopping street. Triq Mercante (Merchant Street) parallels Repubblika to the east and is also good for strolling. From these two streets, cross streets descend toward the water; some are stepped. Valletta's compactness makes it ideal to explore on foot. City Gate and the upper part of Valletta are experiencing vast redevelopment that includes a new Parliament Building and open-air performance venue. The complex, completed mid-2013, has numerous pedestrian detours in place along with building noise and dust. Before setting out along Republic Street, stop at the tourist information office on Merchant Street for maps and brochures.
Day 4 Cruising
Day 5 Soúda, Crete, Greece
Day 6 Katakolon, Greece
Katakolon could not seem less of a cruise port if it tried. A tiny enclave clinging to the western Peloponnese coast, it's a sleepy place except when ships dock. But it's a popular cruise destination because of its proximity to Olympia. Ancient Olympia was one of the most important cities in classical Greece. The Sanctuary of Zeus was the city's raison d'être, and attracted pilgrims from around the eastern Mediterranean, and later the city played host to Olympic Games, the original athletic games that were the inspiration for today's modern sporting pan-planetary meet. At the foot of the tree-covered Kronion hill, in a valley near two rivers, Katakolon is today one of the most popular ancient sites in Greece. If you don't want to make the trip to Olympia, then Katakolon is an ideal place for a leisurely Greek lunch while you watch the fishermen mend their nets, but there's just not much else to do there.
Day 7 Messina, Italy
Home to the Museo Regionale of Messina, known for featuring two of Caravaggio's paintings, the city is also famous for having been the capital of the ancient kingdom of Sicily.
Day 8 Naples, Italy
Naples, in the Campania region, is Italy's third largest city. Its claim to fame is the spectacular location along one of the world's most splendid bays, backed by the perfect cone of Mount Vesuvius. In addition to its beautiful setting, Naples' surprises with other outstanding attractions such as the Royal Palace, San Carlos Opera House, the impressive National Archaeological Museum and the Castel Nuovo, dating from the 13th-century. The city's central area is best explored on foot. Chaotic traffic conditions make driving around the city a very frustrating experience. Naples provides a convenient starting point for trips to such favored destinations as Pompeii, Herculaneum and Mount Vesuvius. The Isle of Capri can be reached via a 45-minute hydrofoil service. The region of Campania was home to Greeks settlers some 300 years before Rome was founded. Pompeii, too, was a Greek town before being conquered by the Romans during the 5th century BC. It was under the Romans that Pompeii flourished and grew prosperous. When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, the population of 20,000 was wiped out, but dozens of buildings were preserved under layers of cinder more than 20 feet deep. The most important finds from Pompeii are displayed in Naples' National Archaeological Museum. A visit here will no doubt enhance a visit to ancient Pompeii.
Day 9 Civitavecchia, Italy
Italy's vibrant capital lives in the present, but no other city on earth evokes its past so powerfully. For over 2,500 years, emperors, popes, artists, and common citizens have left their mark here. Archaeological remains from ancient Rome, art-stuffed churches, and the treasures of Vatican City vie for your attention, but Rome is also a wonderful place to practice the Italian-perfected il dolce far niente, the sweet art of idleness. Your most memorable experiences may include sitting at a caffè in the Campo de' Fiori or strolling in a beguiling piazza.
Day 10 Cruising
Day 11 Barcelona, Spain
The infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tile and stained glass of Art Nouveau facades, the art and music, the throb of street life, the food (ah, the food!)—one way or another, Barcelona will find a way to get your full attention. The capital of Catalonia is a banquet for the senses, with its beguiling mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafés and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. A stroll along La Rambla and through waterfront Barceloneta, as well as a tour of Gaudí's majestic Sagrada Famíliaand his other unique creations, are part of a visit to Spain's second-largest city. Modern art museums and chic shops call for attention, too. Barcelona's vibe stays lively well into the night, when you can linger over regional wine and cuisine at buzzing tapas bars.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has up-to-date advice for Irish citizens on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more security, local laws, health, passport and visa information see https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/ and follow dfatravelwise