Cruise itinerary
12-Night Europe Cruise from Ancona
12 nights · Europe · 9 ports of call
12-night Europe cruise aboard MSC Lirica, departing Ancona and calling at Venice, Katakolon, Heraklion (Iraklion), Crete, Rhodes, Limassol and Port Said and 2 more.
- Free advisor
- No booking fees
- 10,000+ sailings
At a glance
- Ship
- MSC Lirica
- Cruise line
- MSC Cruises
- Duration
- 12 nights
- Region
- Europe · Southern Europe · Mediterranean
- Departs
- Ancona
- Returns
- Venice
How NestCruise works:we're advisor-led, not a booking engine. No fares are listed and there are no booking fees — tell an advisor your dates and party and they price your exact MSC Lirica sailing, typically within 24 hours.
Where this voyage takes you
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day1
Ancona
Depart 20:30
- Day2
Venice
Arrive 08:00 · Depart 19:00
A city built across more than a hundred islands in a lagoon on the Adriatic, threaded by canals instead of streets. Venice is known for St. Mark's Basilica and its piazza, the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge, and the glass workshops of Murano nearby.
- St. Mark's Square
- Grand Canal
- Rialto Bridge
- Day3At sea
- Day4
Katakolon
Arrive 10:00 · Depart 17:00
A small port on Greece's western Peloponnese coast, best known as the gateway to ancient Olympia. The sanctuary where the original Olympic Games were held lies a short drive inland, among ruined temples and the old stadium.
- Ancient Olympia
- Olympic stadium
- Temple of Zeus
- Day5
Heraklion (Iraklion), Crete
Arrive 10:00 · Depart 18:00
The largest city on Crete and the island's main port, in Greece. A Venetian harbour and fortress front the town, while the Bronze Age palace of Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum's Minoan treasures lie close by.
- Palace of Knossos
- Venetian harbour
- Archaeological Museum
- Day6
Rhodes
Arrive 08:00 · Depart 17:00
The largest of Greece's Dodecanese islands, off the Turkish coast, with one of Europe's best-preserved medieval walled towns. The Old Town keeps the cobbled Street of the Knights and the Palace of the Grand Master, while Lindos and its acropolis lie down the coast.
- Medieval Old Town
- Palace of the Grand Master
- Lindos Acropolis
- Day7
Limassol
Arrive 10:00 · Depart 17:00
A southern coastal city on Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean, set around a long seafront promenade. A medieval castle anchors the old town, and the port is a base for the ancient ruins of Kourion and the wine villages of the Troodos foothills.
- Limassol Castle
- Kourion ruins
- seafront promenade
- Day8
Port Said
Arrive 07:00 · Depart 21:30
- Day9
Alexandria
Arrive 08:00 · Depart 22:00
Egypt's great Mediterranean port, founded by Alexander the Great. Once home to the ancient Lighthouse and Library, it keeps a long seafront corniche, the Qaitbay citadel on the old harbour and the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina library.
- Qaitbay Citadel
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina
- Corniche seafront
- Day10At sea
- Day11At sea
- Day12
Split
Arrive 09:00 · Depart 17:00
A Croatian port on the Dalmatian coast, built quite literally inside the walls of a Roman emperor's retirement palace. Diocletian's Palace still forms the living old town, its cellars and courtyards woven through with cafes, shops and the cathedral.
- Diocletian's Palace
- Riva promenade
- Marjan Hill
- Day13
Venice
Arrive 08:00
A city built across more than a hundred islands in a lagoon on the Adriatic, threaded by canals instead of streets. Venice is known for St. Mark's Basilica and its piazza, the Grand Canal and Rialto Bridge, and the glass workshops of Murano nearby.
- St. Mark's Square
- Grand Canal
- Rialto Bridge
Upcoming departures
- 23 Oct 2026
- 28 Dec 2026
Upcoming sailings of this itinerary — a NestCruise advisor confirms current availability and your fare.
12-Night Europe Cruise from Ancona FAQ
Which ports does this cruise visit?
This 12-night Europe cruise calls at Ancona, Venice, Katakolon, Heraklion (Iraklion), Crete, Rhodes, Limassol, Port Said, Alexandria and Split.
How many days are spent at sea?
3 days are spent at sea; the rest are in port.
Where does this cruise depart from?
It departs from Ancona and ends in Venice.
How long is this cruise?
12 nights aboard MSC Lirica.
When does this itinerary sail?
Upcoming departures include 23 Oct 2026 and 28 Dec 2026. A NestCruise advisor can confirm current availability.