If there’s one thing I’ve learnt after this trip, it’s this… Cruises completely ruin normal holidays. After spending seven unforgettable nights aboard MSC Splendida, I’m already looking at the next one (sorry, bank account).

What started as a birthday getaway turned into one of the best weeks I’ve had in a long time. From waking up in a different country almost every morning to incredible theatre productions, making friends from all over the world and celebrating my birthday at sea, this cruise was packed with memories I’ll never forget.

If you’re considering this exact itinerary, here’s everything you need to know, including what we did in every port, useful tips, and why MSC Splendida completely won us over.

Day 1: Bon Voyage, Valletta!

There’s something magical about sailing out of Valletta’s Grand Harbour.

Watching the historic bastions slowly disappear while everyone lines the decks with a cocktail in hand really kicks the holiday into gear.

Boarding was surprisingly smooth. Once onboard, we explored the ship, found our balcony cabin, downloaded the MSC for Me App, grabbed our first pizza (of many…) a cheeky mojito, and watched Malta disappear into the distance.

Top tip: Download the MSC app before boarding. It became our best friend all week. It shows daily activities, theatre times, restaurant bookings, your onboard spending and useful information without carrying paper schedules around.

Day 2: A Day at Sea

Some people think sea days are boring.

Those people clearly haven’t been on MSC Splendida.

We honestly could have spent another week just exploring the ship.

The day included:

• Pool games
• Live music
• Dance classes
• Trivia quizzes
• Cocktail bars
• Shopping
• Watching the sea from our balcony
• Eating far too much

Then came one of the highlights…

The Theatre Shows

Every single night there was a completely different production.

The singers.

The dancers.

The costumes.

The acrobatics.

Everything felt incredibly professional.

If you’re thinking of skipping the theatre because you’re “too tired”…

Don’t.

You’ll regret it.

Day 3: Barcelona

Barcelona greeted us with sunshine and endless energy. Since we’d visited before, we skipped the major tourist attractions and simply wandered.

Sometimes those are the best days.

We explored the Gothic streets, stopped for coffee, browsed little shops and soaked up the atmosphere before heading back towards the port.

One thing worth mentioning…

The cruise terminal isn’t right in the city centre.

There are shuttle buses that take you closer to Las Ramblas, making getting around much easier.

Things to know:

• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Barcelona involves lots of walking.
• Keep an eye on your belongings. Pickpockets are unfortunately common in busy tourist areas.

Day 4: Marseille

Marseille surprised us.

It feels completely different from Barcelona.

The colourful harbour, little cafés and winding streets have so much character.

We wandered around the Old Port before stopping for lunch overlooking the marina.

It’s one of those cities that’s perfect for simply getting lost in.

If you’re visiting…

Don’t rush.

Take your time.

Sit outside.

Watch the world go by.

Day 5: Livorno (Gateway to Tuscany)

Livorno is where many people head straight for Florence or Pisa.

We decided to explore Tuscany instead.

The scenery is beautiful.

Rolling hills.

Italian cafés.

Amazing food.

Everywhere you look feels like a postcard.

If you only have one tip for Livorno…

Plan ahead.

Florence and Pisa are both a fair distance away, so know exactly where you’re going before leaving the ship.

Day 6: Cagliari

Cagliari completely stole my heart.

It felt far more relaxed than some of the larger ports.

One thing we loved?

Walking around the old streets before heading towards the marina for lunch.

We even spotted the famous pink flamingos, something I never imagined seeing in Europe.

If you’re visiting during summer…

Bring water.

It gets incredibly hot.

The shuttle bus from the ship into town is well worth paying for unless you fancy a long walk in the heat.

Day 7: Palermo (And My Birthday!)

I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better birthday. Celebrating in Sicily surrounded by sunshine, amazing food and great company felt incredibly special.

• Palermo is full of life.
• Markets.
• Beautiful churches.
• Historic streets.
• Italian cafés.
• Every corner feels different.

We spent the day wandering, eating gelato (because birthday calories don’t count), enjoying the atmosphere and taking far too many photos.

Back onboard, the celebrations continued.

Watching another incredible theatre production before enjoying drinks and live music made it one of my favourite birthdays ever.

The Crew Deserve So Much Credit

One thing that stood out all week was just how genuinely kind every crew member was.

Whether it was:

• Cabin attendants
• Restaurant staff
• Bartenders
• Guest services
• Entertainment team

Everyone smiled.

Everyone said hello.

Everyone made us feel welcome.

Considering many spend months away from their families working incredibly long hours, their positivity was genuinely inspiring.

They really are the reason cruises run so smoothly.

The MSC App Is Brilliant

I didn’t expect to use it much…

Turns out I checked it constantly.

It tells you:

• Daily entertainment
• Theatre schedules
• Restaurant bookings
• Shore excursion information
• Port arrival times
• Account balance
• Activities happening around the ship

Honestly…

It’s impossible to get bored.

We Made Friends We Never Expected

This might have been my favourite surprise.

Cruise life is strange.

You board knowing nobody.

A few days later…

You’re eating dinner together.

Watching shows together.

Meeting for drinks.

Sharing travel stories.

It’s such a lovely community.

By the end of the week saying goodbye genuinely felt sad.

Things I’d Recommend for First-Time Cruisers

If you’re doing this itinerary, here are a few things I’d definitely recommend:

• Download the MSC app before you sail.
• Get to the shows early.
• Bring comfortable walking shoes because every port involves lots of exploring.
• Carry a reusable water bottle.
• Don’t over-plan every port. Some of our favourite moments came from simply wandering.
• Always keep an eye on the “all aboard” time. The ship won’t wait.
• Pack a small backpack for port days with sunscreen, water and a portable charger.
• If your ship offers shuttle buses into town, they’re often worth the small fee.

Would I Cruise with MSC Again?

Without question.

This wasn’t just a holiday.

It felt like seven different city breaks wrapped into one incredible floating hotel.

Amazing food.

Fantastic entertainment.

Friendly crew.

Beautiful destinations.

A birthday I’ll never forget.

And memories that somehow already feel nostalgic.

As we sailed back into Valletta, I caught myself doing exactly what every cruiser does…

Looking up future itineraries before we’d even left the ship.

Because once you’ve experienced waking up somewhere new every morning, watching sunsets from your balcony and making friends from around the world…

It’s very hard not to want to do it all over again.

MSC Splendida, thank you for one of the best birthdays and one of the best weeks of my life. We’ll definitely be back.