Speak to one of our experts

Call +44 20 7399 7670

From Barcelona to Rome (Civitavecchia)

Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys

Dates:
23 Sep - 1 Oct 2026
Duration:
8 Nights
Journey type:
Cruise only (please call for flight options)
No. of ports:
9
Ship:
Le Champlain
Cruise Line:
Ponant Explorations
Fares:

From £7,801 pp

Rome skyline

From Barcelona to Rome (Civitavecchia)

Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys

Dates:
23 Sep - 1 Oct 2026
Duration:
8 Nights
Journey type:
Cruise only (please call for flight options)
No. of ports:
9
Ship:
Le Champlain
Cruise Line:
Ponant Explorations
Fares:

From £7,801 pp

Voyage Itinerary

23 September

Setting sail from Barcelona

Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia, is one of our favourite ports of call. From the warren-like medieval streets of the Barri Gòtic to the fantastical modernist architecture of Antoni Gaudí, from the dizzy heights of Mount Tibidabo to the golden sands of Barceloneta, there's never a dull moment in this most beguiling of cities. Take a stroll along the Ramblas, soak up the wonderful art of Picasso and Miró, or experience the electrifying atmosphere of a match at the Camp Nou. Barcelona is truly a city with something for everyone.

View from Park Guell, Barcelona
View of the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

Don't miss

Gaudí’s crowning masterpiece, the church of La Sagrada Familia, is an utterly unique building, a soaring structure that’s rich in bizarre little details. It’s also still not finished; despite the fact that construction began in 1882, the current completion date is scheduled for 2026!

24 September

France: Sète

The down-to-earth port of Sète, sandwiched between the Mediterranean and the Etang de Thau lagoon, is a working town rather than a tourist hotspot, though the canals and colourful buildings have a certain charm. It’s also a great spot for a seafood lunch, and a visit to the nearby citadel of Carcassonne is a popular excursion.
Sète, France

25 September

France: Marseille

The rumbustious port of Marseille often gets a bad press, but the city has been transformed in recent years, with a host of new cultural attractions. The vibrant Vieux Port remains at the heart of life in Marseille, however, and is the best place to begin your exploration of the city’s many historic sights.
Vieux Port, Marseille

26 September

France: Nice

Nice enjoys a marvellous setting on one of the most glorious stretches of the Côte d’Azur, the sweeping Bay of Angels, so it’s no wonder that tourists have been flocking here since the 19th century.
Aerial view of Nice, France

27 September

Italy: Santa Margherita Ligure

Santa Margherita is Portofino without the bling, a photogenic yet down-to-earth place where yachts bob in the water and elegant hotels overlook the lovely seafront promenade. Relax and enjoy the view, or use the town as a base for exploring the beaches and picturesque towns of the Ligurian coast.
Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy

28 September

Italy: Portovenere

The colourful facades along Portovenere’s UNESCO-listed harbourfront make this one of the most picturesque villages on the Ligurian coast, and it has often been described as the ‘sixth town’ of the Cinque Terre. Wandering the narrow alleyways is a delight, and it’s worth the climb to the impressive hilltop Castle Doria.
Portovenere, Italy

29 September

Italy: Florence / Pisa (Livorno)

The faded port town of Livorno serves as a gateway to Tuscany’s star attractions. Wonderful Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is resplendent with beautiful architecture and unrivalled artistic treasures, while nearby Pisa is of course famous for its precarious Leaning Tower.
Florence, Italy

30 September

France: Bonifacio

Bonifacio sits atop brilliant white limestone cliffs on the southern tip of Corsica, with the harbour down below filled with fishing boats and glitzy yachts. The town's history as a Genoese stronghold, along with its proximity to Sardinia, means that the Italian influence is strong here.
Fishing boats in Bonifacio, Corsica

1 October

Arriving in Rome (Civitavecchia)

One of the world’s great cities, Rome continues to dazzle and delight visitors with a potent mix of architectural marvels, continent-defining history and buzzing nightlife. The Colosseum, the Vatican and the Forum are among the big ticket items, with the crowds to match, though in truth you will find history around almost every corner.
Rome skyline
Piazza Navona, Rome

Our tip

Plan ahead to make the most of your time – Rome is an exhausting city to visit so you need to pace yourself. There are plenty of parks, gardens and squares to relax and enjoy time out.

The ship

Le Champlain

Capacity:
184 Guests
Crew:
118 Staff
Style:
Refined with a wonderful mix of a modern super yacht and nautical tradition, all with a French flair.

Sleek and stylish, Ponant's wonderful Explorer yachts blend luxury and intimacy with a discreet elegance and tasteful décor.

What we love

Named after six of France's most famous explorers, Le Champlain, Le Lapérouse, Le Bougainville, Le Dumont d'Urville, Le Bellot and Le Jacques Cartier offer exciting and adventurous itineraries in the utmost comfort. Technologically advanced, with the latest in environmentally friendly hardware, the new ships embody Ponant's trademark élan and flair, with just 92 spacious rooms and suites, a stylish pool deck and an intimate, refined onboard ambience.

Learn more about Le Champlain
Ponant Explorers - Le Bougainville in Norway

inclusions

  • All meals in all venues
  • Tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
  • All onboard entertainment
  • Unlimited use of the Fitness Centre
  • Zodiac outings and landings on expedition sailings
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • One complimentary excursion per port

Tailor-make your trip

Ways to make it better
    • Hotel Arts, Barcelona

      Where to stay in Barcelona

      The lovely Hotel Arts on the sea front is perfectly located for a pre- or post-cruise stay, and has great restaurants too.

    • Girona, Spain

      Explore Catalonia

      Take a day trip to the attractive city of Girona, with its fascinating mix of Gothic, Moorish and Modernist architecture, as well as an exceptionally well preserved Jewish Quarter.

    • Hotel Campo de' Fiori, Rome

      Extend your stay in Rome

      There are so many great hotels but we particularly love the Campo de’ Fiori, for its great location in the centre of everything.

    • The Vatican City, Rome

      Beat the queues

      Get a private guide to help you jump the queues into the Vatican who can whizz you through the galleries to see the essentials and ensure your best view of the Sistine Chapel.

    How can we help?

    Our frequently asked questions

    From cruise tips to travel protection, here are some of our most-asked questions

    visit our faqs

    Will I save by booking with Mundy Cruising?

    Absolutely. You'll save money and time by booking with us rather than directly with the cruise line and enjoy more flexibility in your travel arrangements. We have access to preferential rates and exclusive offers, and we offer expert advice on how to get the best value.

    Can you help with pre and post-cruise arrangements?

    From flights and transfers to hotels and tours, we can help with all your travel needs to make sure your trip is exceptional. What's more, we are members of ABTA and also offer full ATOL protection, not to mention a 24hr emergency contact, so we offer complete peace of mind.

    What are the benefits of a small luxury ship?

    Because small ships are able to reach smaller ports of call and provide a higher level of service than their big ship counterparts, we believe that small ship cruising is the very best way to travel. Usually they offer more space per person, and an attentive team to make sure you have the very best experience. Small ship cruising offers the very best of the best.

    Why Mundy?

    Who we are

    Founded in 1970, we have sold more luxury cruises for more years than anyone else in the UK.

    Mundy Cruising was the very first cruise specialist in the UK. We have been making the best cruise holidays even better since 1970.

    How? Simply by offering our clients more expertise, more personal service, more unique ideas, more fascinating add-ons, more fabulous freebies and more peace of mind.

    More about Mundy

    We're happy to do all of that over the phone. But if you prefer to chat face to face, why not visit us at our comfortable offices on London's High Holborn - we'd be delighted to see you.