Sailing Through Southern Europe: My Dreamy Italy, Spain & France Cruise with MSC
There’s something surreal about waking up to a new country every morning — and that’s exactly what I experienced on my recent MSC European cruise through Italy, France, and Spain. From breathtaking coastal towns to historic cities bursting with flavor and flair, every stop was more unforgettable than the last.
This journey blended old-world charm with cruise ship luxury, and I’m excited to share the full itinerary — along with affiliate-friendly travel essentials you can shop for your own European escape.
✈️ Arriving in Italy: Stylish Start in Milan
We flew into Milan, Italy’s fashion capital, and instantly fell in love with its cosmopolitan vibe. Think: high-end boutiques, stunning architecture, and creamy cappuccinos on every corner.
Highlights:
The Duomo di Milano — iconic and jaw-dropping in person.
Strolling Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II for luxe window shopping.
Aperitivo hour with a view of the cathedral.
“This neutral tote bag was perfect for city days, and my Amazon sunglasses are a must for Italian sunshine!”
🚢 Port of Genoa – All Aboard with MSC Cruises
From Milan, we made our way to the Port of Genoa, where our cruise adventure officially began aboard the gorgeous MSC Seaview. This ship felt like a chic floating resort — perfect for luxe moments between port days.
Onboard favorites:
The infinity pool and spa deck
Fresh daily gelato & espresso (obviously ☕️🍦)
Formal dinner nights and glam photo ops
💼 Affiliate Idea: “I packed my favorite cruise-ready outfits in this spinner luggage set, all linked on my Amazon storefront and LTK!”
🌊 Italian Riviera Dreams: Portofino, Cinque Terre & Pisa
Our first stops along the Italian Riviera were pure fairytale:
🏖️ Portofino
This posh fishing village stole my heart with its colorful buildings and upscale seaside cafés. We spent the morning sipping Aperol Spritz and shopping for handmade ceramics.
👗 “check out this breezy white linen set from Amazon — so chic !.”
🏝️ Cinque Terre & Monterosso al Mare
We took a local boat to explore Cinque Terre, five stunning cliffside villages. Our favorite was Monterosso al Mare, where we swam, relaxed under striped umbrellas, and grabbed the freshest focaccia ever.
📸 “Captured content using this compact tripod + phone grip combo — lifesaver!”
🏛️ Pisa
Next stop: the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa. It's touristy, yes — but also a bucket list must!
🏞️ “Don't forget your comfortable walking sandals for this day. The cobblestones are no joke!”
🏛️ Civitavecchia & Day Trip to Rome
The Port of Civitavecchia is your gateway to Rome — and we took full advantage with a whirlwind day of sightseeing.
Trevi Fountain (coin toss, check!)
Colosseum
Lunch in Trastevere
Espresso at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè — a local gem!
🛍️ Affiliate Idea: “My belt bag was perfect for keeping everything secure while sightseeing.”
🇫🇷 France: Coastal Glamour in Cannes
Next up: Cannes, France — the glamorous city of film festivals, yachts, and seaside elegance.
We:
Took a beach stroll along the Croisette
Grabbed rosé and oysters at a seaside bistro
Window shopped the luxury boutiques
🇪🇸 Spain: Culture & Color in Barcelona
Our final stop was Barcelona, and it was the perfect finale to our European journey.
We explored:
Sagrada Familia — truly awe-inspiring
Gothic Quarter — tapas, sangria, and all the vibes
Park Güell — straight out of a storybook
Why You’ll Love This Cruise
This Italy–France–Spain cruise was the ultimate luxury-meets-adventure itinerary. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, bucket-list birthday, or elevated girls' trip, cruising lets you see the best of Europe without the hassle of flights and hotel changes.
Ready to Book Your Mediterranean Dream?
I’ve curated everything you need to cruise in style:
Need help planning the details? That’s what we do at Wanderlux Vacations — let’s create your dream European itinerary with VIP perks and zero stress. 🌍✨
With wanderlust,
Yisel
TheWanderluxLife.com
Wanderluxvacations.com
