Day 1: Southampton

Embark Spirit of Discovery.

Day 2: At Sea

Day 3: At Sea

Day 4: At Sea

Day 5: Cádiz, Spain

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Your first port on this Saga celebration cruise is Cádiz, considered to be the oldest continually inhabited settlement in Europe. It was founded in approximately 1100 BC, a heritage that is evidenced by the impressive Roman theatre, discovered in 1980 and boasting a capacity for 10,000 spectators. Other notable landmarks include the Catedral Nueva (New Church), commissioned in 1717, completed in 1838 and crowned by yellow domes that can be spotted from far and wide.

If you choose to pay the fee to enter the cathedral, consider climbing the steep spiralling staircase belonging to the Torre de Poniente Bell Tower for panoramic views of the city. Enjoy an included sightseeing excursion to see the sights of Cádiz in comfort.

Day 6: At Sea

Day 7: Mahón, Minorca

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Welcome to the second largest of the Balearic Islands – Minorca. Its capital, Mahón – often called Maó - offers a blend of Anglo and Spanish characteristics, owed to the occupation by the British between 1713 and 1802. You will be greeted by the city’s five-kilometre natural harbour, often named as one of the largest in the world and providing a reason why the city has been so highly prized throughout history. Its colourful historic core bursts with Georgian architecture, leading you towards the 17th-century town hall.

For those wanting to dust off their walking boots, a ten-minute drive north will take you to Parc Natural de S’Albufera des Grau, a natural reserve fringed by beautiful beaches and providing precious glimpses of local flora and fauna. During your time in port you have the opportunity to join an included sightseeing drive through Mahón, passing many of the city’s key landmarks.

Day 8: Ajaccio, Corsica

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

The mountainous Mediterranean island of Corsica offers visitors an abundance of stylish coastal towns, dense forests and dramatic peaks – the highest being Monte Cristo. Despite being part of France since 1768, Corsica retains a distinctively Italian feel. Its capital city, Ajaccio, showcases an evocative old town which contrasts refreshingly with a more modern district.

Made famous by providing the world with Napoleon Bonaparte, the legendary figure’s birthplace has been transformed into an informative museum located in Ajaccio’s pastel-coloured core. Immerse yourself in the life and times of Napoleon before visiting the French Museum, in which a collection of some 16,000 paintings is on display, built up by Cardinal Joseph Fesch, Napoleon’s uncle.

Day 9: Livorno (for Florence), Italy

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Your time in Livorno, Tuscany’s third-largest city, will reveal a historic quarter crisscrossed by Venetian-style canals and a checkerboard terrace - Terrazza Mascagni - from which picturesque views of the coastline can be enjoyed. Join an included sightseeing tour or take a trip outside of the city where you will be met by Tuscany’s undulating countryside, blanketed by neat vineyards and quaint olive groves.

While Livorno is a charming cruise destination in itself, it is also prized for its proximity to both Florence and Pisa. Visit the city of Pisa and admire the characteristic lean of its iconic tower or spend time in the Renaissance city of Florence. The city’s abundance of medieval architecture is overlooked by the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, otherwise known as the Duomo.

Day 10: Civitavecchia (for Rome), Italy

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Located just 50 miles from Rome, Civitavecchia is the iconic city’s chief seaport. In Rome you will find the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built – holding gladiatorial contests and even sea battles! – St Peter’s Basilica, arguably the most important Christian site in the world, and the Trevi Fountain, a masterpiece of Baroque design. Of course, these three landmarks are only the start of an exploration of Rome.

Perhaps join an optional sightseeing excursion, passing the Baths of Caracalla, the site of Circus Maximus, the Temple of Hercules, the Colosseum and St Peter’s Basilica. Alternatively, you can enjoy a self-guided excursion, providing the independence to enjoy Rome at your own pace. If you would prefer to remain in Civitavecchia, a stroll past Forte Michelangelo will showcase one of Civitavecchia’s primary landmarks within view of your ship.

Please note, coaches are not allowed to stop while travelling through the centre of Rome. Many streets are narrow, and tour coaches are restricted to a few main arteries through the centre. Some famous sights like the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Spanish Steps are not accessible by coach and can only be seen on foot.

Day 11: Naples, Italy

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700. For beauty, art and history, look no further than Naples, a city boasting two royal palaces, three castles and an extensive archaeological museum. If strolling through galleries to admire Caravaggio masterpieces is your cup of tea, consider a visit to Pio Monte Della Misericordia, and if you want tough – but rewarding – hiking trails, you might like to take on Mount Vesuvius.

On the other side of its dramatic form is the once-thriving settlement of Pompeii, frozen in time by the volcanic eruption of AD 79 and providing visitors with a window into the area’s ancient past. For those who are interested in the era when Naples stood as an independent kingdom – between the 13th and 19th centuries – take a trip to the Royal Palace of Naples, the seat of monarchical power in Naples and Southern Italy between 1600 and 1946. Its façade was created by the House of Savoy and inside you can enjoy palatial elegance and extravagant decoration. For guests who prefer to see the city of Naples without navigating it on foot, consider joining an included sightseeing tour.

Day 12: Cagliari, Sardinia

Arrive 0900. Depart 1700. Sardinia’s capital city, Cagliari, features golden-hued palazzi (palaces), domes galore and an eye-catching citadel, Il Castello. Thousands of years of varied history have made their mark on the city, evidenced in this fortified old quarter.

The citadel is best admired from afar, perhaps at the ancient amphitheatre carved into the rock on the opposite side of the valley and at the citadel’s heart is the 13th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria. To put the city’s history into perspective, consider visiting the National Archaeological Museum, built in 1800 and displaying an extensive collection of artefacts.

Day 13: At Sea

Day 14: At Sea

Day 15: Lisbon, Portugal

Arrive 0900. Depart 1800. Lisbon is Portugal’s historic and lively capital, built over seven hills and situated on the northern banks of the River Tagus close to the river’s mouth. Throughout its history, it has been an important port – Vasco de Gama set sail from here in 1498, as did the Spanish Armada in 1588 when Portugal was under Spanish rule. In 1755, a major earthquake destroyed large parts of the city, which were subsequently rebuilt. Lisbon is divided up into distinct areas lending the city a unique character.

From the atmospheric Alfama – Lisbon’s old town with its steeply cobbled streets and tempting alleyways, to the Baixa district with its elegant avenues and lively squares and the Bairro Alto, famed for its nightlife, there’s something here for everyone. Add to this a fascinating waterfront, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Jeronimos Monastery and Torre de Belem, the shopping and business area of Av Liberdade and more and your only dilemma will be what to see and do first in this ‘City of Seven Hills’. Solving that dilemma, in part, is an included sightseeing excursion in Lisbon.

Day 16: At Sea

Day 17: At Sea

Day 18: Southampton

Disembark Spirit of Discovery.