10 Night Cruise sailing return from Lisbon onboard MSC Virtuosa.

MSC Virtuosa’s namesake comes from the word virtuoso, meaning someone highly skilled in music. Each deck will, in fact, be named after a different musical instrument. This new cruise ship will be one of the two largest in MSC Cruises’ fleet, along with her sister ship MSC Grandiosa. One of the highlights of MSC Virtuosa’s onboard entertainment will be the two brand new Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows, created exclusively for MSC Cruises’ guests.

Highlights of this cruise:

Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the capital of Catalonia. It is located on the shores of the Mediterranean and enjoys a mild climate all year round.Barcelona is one of Europe’s largest and most successful ports and one of the world’s leading cities in art and architecture. From the modern cruise terminal at the docks you will need a taxi or tour to see the artistic beauty of this unique destination, credited to the talents of Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso, Antonio Gaudi, Jose Clara and others. Stroll the mosaic-paved Ramblas, the city's social hub, with open-air cafes, street entertainers and flower displays. See its unique Catalonian cultural heritage in the ancient Gothic Quarter, the surrealistic architecture of Antonio Gaudi and some outstanding museums. Sights of interest include the Columbus Monument, the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia (1298 to 1454), the Maritime Museum, Picasso Gallery, La Sagrada Familia (Gaudi's unfinished cathedral), Palau Guell (Gaudi mansion) and the Olympic stadiums.

Marseille, France
On the spectacular coastline of the French Riviera lies Marseille, an MSC Mediterranean Cruises destination. This atmospheric port city is known for its unique mix of grit and glamour, seen in its labyrinth of streets and historical architecture. Only a few miles from Marseille’s charismatic cafes and bustling Vieux Port, stunning cities are to be found. Visit Aix-en-Provence, birthplace of Cézanne, or take in the ancient beauty of Avignon. The seaport of Marseille remains a must-see destination for its culture, colour, and atmosphere. An MSC Cruises excursion will transport you to a characterful world filled with art, architecture, and cuisine. Explore the port and its primary landmark: the Neo-Byzantine basilica Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, constructed between 1853 and 1864. From the summit, you can take in incredible views over the city and the deep blue Mediterranean. Don’t miss a stroll along Marseille’s waterfront, past the aristocratic Borély Castle and Garden. See Longchamp Palace in the town centre before spending time in the old port. Visit the southern French town of Aix-en-Provence on an MSC Cruises excursion. Explore the religious landmark of St. Saviour Cathedral, which was built over the remains of a Roman temple. Honouring the sun god Apollo, this richly decorated structure features Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque features. Next, enjoy a pleasant hike to the Four Dolphins Fountain and the Mazarin Quarter, home to honey-hued mansions from the 17th-century. If you appreciate rich medieval history and sophisticated culture, visit ancient Avignon on an MSC Cruises excursion. This amazing city is home to the Palais des Papes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site boasting medieval Gothic architecture. A former residency to Popes of history, you’ll marvel at the building’s tapestries and frescoes. Afterwards, wander the mesmerising streets and have a spot of lunch in a French brasserie-restaurant.

Genoa, Italy
Genoa is a city and a seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria.Famous as the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, Genoa remains a bustling seaport. The city's Renaissance heritage is preserved in splendid palaces overlooking the harbor. The Old Quarter of Genoa, is especially enthralling for those who like to explore. It is best to travel on foot through the narrow streets (called carruggi) which are meticulously kept, as are the expansive palazzi (mansions) of medieval merchants which line them. Around the Palazzo Reale, many shops sell Turkish carpets and the best of silk. Other attractions in Genoa include the Palazzo Ducale now used for exhibitions and concerts, the Via Garibaldi art gallery and the original waterfront or Porto Antico. The waterfront is also full of atmosphere and there are many bars and restaurants where one can watch the world go by. The 16th century lighthouse, the Lanterna, which rises over 120 meters (325 steps!) above the sea, can be seen 50 kilometers away, and has guided mariners to the port for 100s of years.

Malaga, Spain
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.

Casablanca, Morocco
Casablanca, an impressive port city on Morocco’s magical coast, is an MSC Mediterranean Cruises destination. Discover Mauresque architecture, attractive beaches, and the colourful Old Medina. Place Mohammed V, a square of symbolic significance, is resplendent with palm trees and a majestic fountain. Beyond the port, two extraordinary cities await your discovery — vibrant Marrakech and beautiful Rabat. An enchanting adventure awaits, on an MSC Cruises excursion, across the buzzing city of Casablanca. Enjoy a scenic journey through streets and squares before stopping at an authentic Habous district market. Visit the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Lourdes and the Hassan II Mosque — the largest mosque in Africa. Resting on a peninsula overlooking the Atlantic, take in spectacular sea views and fine architectural craftsmanship. Visit Marrakech on an MSC Cruises excursion, a Moroccan imperial city known as the 'Pearl of the South'. Here, you’ll discover the ornately decorated Saadian Tombs and the mesmerising 19th-century Bahia Palace. Afterwards, take in Marrakech’s iconic market square, Jemaa el-Fnaa. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is brimming with merchants, performers, restaurants, food stalls, snake charmers, storytellers, and henna artists.

Lisbon, Portugal
Strung out over a series of hills facing the glistening waters of the broad estuary of the Tejo, Lisbon is one of Europe’s most handsome cities. Although its modern suburbs are ungainly, the historic centre is relatively compact and easy to explore in just a day when your MSC cruise takes you to the Lisbon. The oldest part of the city, the warren of streets that make up the Alfama, sits below the spectacularly sited Moorish Castelo de São Jorge, its ruined walls facing another hill, the Bairro Alto or upper town, famed for its bars, restaurants and vibrant nightlife. The valley between these hills makes up the Baixa., or lower town. The tall, imposing buildings that make up the Baixa (Lower Town) house some of Lisbon’s most interesting shops and cafés. A shore excursion on your MSC Mediterranean cruise can be the opportunity to reach via a narrow walkway the impressive Torre de Belém (Tower of Belém), an iconic symbol of Lisbon. It typifies Manueline style that was prominent during the reign of King Manuel, its windows and stairways embellished with arches and decorative symbols representing Portugal’s explorations into the New World.

Alicante, Spain
The thoroughly Spanish Alicante has a decidedly elegant Mediterranean air that you can get a taste of on your holiday cruise to southern Spain: close to your cruise ship the city offers seafront paseos and wide, breezy esplanades, peppered with cosy bars and terrace cafés. What is more, a series of well-curated museums feature everything from ancient archaeology to contemporary art; the city’s cuisine scene is making a name for itself, just as its healthy nightlife did long ago; and its long, sandy beaches are sunkissed for much of the year. The rambling Castillo de Santa Bárbara, an imposing medieval fortress located on the bare rocky hill above the town beach, is Alicante’s main historical sight. Best approached from the Mediterranean Sea side – the lift entrance is on Avenida de Jovellanos – it’s easy to reach from your cruise ship. Almost opposite are the Iberian and Roman remains that have been found on the site. The city’s well-maintained beach – Playa del Postiguet – is perfect for another shore excursion too. Elche (Elx), 20km inland and south from Alicante, is famed throughout Spain for its exotic palm forest. The palm trees, originally planted by the Moors, are still the town’s chief industry – not only do they attract tourists, but the female trees produce dates, and the fronds from the males are in demand all over the country for use in Palm Sunday processions and as charms against lightning. A cruise excursion can also be an opportunity to discover Guadalest, one of the more popular tourist attractions in the area. The sixteenth-century Moorish castle town and former Muslim settlement is built high up in the surrounding rock, and you enter through a gateway tunnelled into the mountain.