A Mediterranean Christmas - Naples, the Amalfi Coast & Sicily

Board the ship at 6:00 p.m. Meet the crew during a welcome cocktail before dinner on board. Spend the evening enjoying onboard entertainment.

Choose a morning excursion:

Visit Pompeii and explore preserved ruins that reveal Roman art, daily life, and trades.
Or
Explore Herculaneum, also buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, and view mosaics, artifacts, and preserved structures.

In the afternoon, tour Naples. Visit key landmarks including the historic center and royal palace. Walk along Via San Gregorio Armeno and watch artisans create nativity figures. Enter the Cloister of Santa Chiara to see an 18th-century nativity display.

Spend the morning cruising through the Aeolian Islands. Rising from the cobalt blue sea along the Sicilian coast, the Aeolian Islands (Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi, and Alicudi) are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The archipelago's name comes from Aeolus, who kept violent winds locked safely on his island, as recounted in Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey.

This afternoon, the excursion proposed is: Tindari. Discover the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna and the site of an ancient Greek town with stunning views of the Sicilian coastline. Enjoy some free time in the charming city of Milazzo, with its medieval citadel perched high above.

Excursion proposed :Full-day excursion to Mount Etna and Taormina. Mount Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe, and the team will take you up to almost 6,400 feet (1950 m) to the Silvestri Craters near the top. The bleak lava wilderness around the summit of Etna is one of the most memorable landscapes you’ll ever see. You’ll then drive to Taormina. Nestled above the stunning Sicilian coastline, Taormina brings to life the legendary beauty of Sicily. Enjoy a tour of the area, including the ruins of its ancient Greek theater.

Spend the morning cruising.

This afternoon, the excursion is: The Calabria. The Calabria region is at the toe of the boot in Italy, lapped by the splendid crystal-clear Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas. Its warm climate, beautiful colors, rocky coasts, local food, and vestiges of its ancient origins make it a unique place to be enjoyed in both winter and summer. Discover Tropea, the pearl of the Calabria. Perched on a rocky promontory with a cliff-side view of the sea, this small city is a veritable jewel. You'll also enjoy a tasting of regional products.

You’ll spend the morning cruising.

The excursion this afternoon is: Amalfi. You'll be charmed by the appeal of its narrow streets and lively squares. You'll stroll through its historic center, which reveals a rich maritime past. In the heart of the town, St. Andrew’s Cathedral impresses with its Arab-Norman façade and its majestic staircase.

Tonight is the  festive gala evening.

Excursion proposed: Capri and Anacapri (Lunch included). The team will take an airboat to splendid Capri. On arrival, you’ll head to the village of Anacapri and visit the Villa San Michele, built at the turn of the last century by Swedish physician and author Axel Munthe. Anacapri is located at the highest part of the island. From the villa gardens, you’ll have a fantastic view of the city of Capri, the Gulf of Naples, and Mount Vesuvius. In addition to the amazing backdrop, the gardens themselves possess a rare beauty. Enjoy some time on your own this afternoon or visit the Gardens of Augustus, located on the top of a cliff with a stupendous view of the turquoise sea. You'll return to Naples by airboat.

The theme for this evening is "Neopolitan Songs and Dances."

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.