Cruise Program

Cruise Details

Italy and Monaco - Oceana P&O Cruise

Fly into the warm spring sunshine of the Mediterranean and join Oceana in Valletta, on the tiny but mighty island of Malta. Indulge in rustic Italian delicacies and Rome’s seductive architecture (tours from Civitavecchia). Uncover the real Monsieur Bonaparte. Rub shoulders with the rich and famous in Monte Carlo’s glamorous casino. From Livorno, rediscover Florence’s Renaissance riches or clamber up Pisa’s tilting tower. Surrounded by UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you’ll have plenty of time to explore ashore with full days in every port. Then sail into the Grand Harbour of Valletta and fly home to the UK.

Main stops of your itinerary:

Malta – 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.

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.

Monte Carlo - France

Monte Carlo is famous for the four ‘G’s’:  the Grimaldi monarchy as well as its Grand Prix, Glamour and Gambling. The famous Grand Casino is only one of several but, if you are feeling lucky, note that it operates a strict dress code and requires all players to show passports.

The first thing you notice when you arrive is how pristine the mega-yachts look in the harbour.  This only fuels the suspicion that their owners - rather than risk going to sea - actually prefer to tie-up permanently at one of the worlds most fashionable addresses.

Monacos three main districts are all walkable from the harbour: Monaco Ville (the intriguing old town), La Condamine (business centre), and Monte Carlo (the glitzy new town). Grimaldi Prince Rainier III put Monaco on the map by marrying film star Grace Kelly in 1955 and he is now buried alongside Princess Grace in St Nicholas Cathedral in Monaco Ville.

Florence and Pisa - Italy

Founded in the 16th century by the Grand Dukes of Tuscany - the Medici Family, Livorno remains a busy port and town. Its centre, which is walkable from the port, has some pretty bars, cafés and chic shops but most of Livornos cruise visitors head straight for Pisa, Florence, or the Tuscan towns of Lucca and Siena.

You may be surprised to find that the recently restored Leaning Tower is just one of many towers in Pisa and that elegant Florence is compact enough to be walkable. With the Arno river running through it, you should be able to keep your bearings fairly easily as you visit the Uffizi Gallery and cross the gold and silver merchants-lined Ponte Vecchio on your way round the many attractions of this startlingly beautiful Renaissance city.

Ajaccio - France

Napoleon was born here and, if you did not know that before, it would only take a few minutes after cruising into Ajaccio to cotton on as ‘Boneys’ name and likeness is everywhere.

The main shopping street is called Cours Napoleon and the wide tree-lined boulevards, parks and large squares in this newer part of town feature many statues of the great man, notably in the main square (ironically called General de Gaulle). The Old Town between the port and the imposing citadel on the cliff above boasts Napoleons House and the cathedral where he was baptised

The main marketplace is right by the port and here you'll find lots of local craft goods and endless Napoleonic souvenirs. Nestling in the Bay of Ajaccio, halfway down the islands west coast, Ajaccio is an excellent base from which to explore Corsica and discover why it is called the ‘Scented Isle’ (because of the sweet aromas from the mountainside maquis vegetation).