Winter Mediterranean Cruising Aboard the MSC Fantasia

Very few cruise lines sail the Mediterranean in February—no surprise, really, since it’s definitely the off-season. But MSC Cruises offered exactly what I needed: a sailing that matched my tight schedule (we had to leave on Sunday, February 8, exactly) and an itinerary that immediately captured us: a stop in Tunisia—my first time in Africa—plus classic ports along the Italian and Sicilian coasts.

Like all travel plans, this one had its share of compromises and pro/con decisions. This was my ninth cruise, but my first with MSC. I’d heard mixed reviews, so I tempered my expectations. But between the unbeatable price, the strong itinerary, and the fact that this was one of the only ships sailing when I needed it to, I decided to go for it. And I’m so glad I did—we had an incredible time.

Our cabin was comfortable, with a fantastic balcony that let us enjoy the fresh sea air even on chilly mornings. The service was warm and friendly throughout the ship, and I appreciated how low-key the onboard sales atmosphere was. Sure, there were options for extra purchases—the specialty dining, the spa—but there was no hard sell. In fact, we treated ourselves to a couples massage and access to the ship’s small but wonderfully calming thermal circuit, and it was worth every euro.

What surprised me most was how much I enjoyed MSC Fantasia itself. The food was genuinely great (we never tired of the changing menus), the ship felt fun yet relaxing, and even though our room showed a bit of its age, it was well maintained and very comfortable. And now, let me take you along on the journey: from quiet fishing villages to ancient ruins, from the flavors of Naples to the colorful markets of Tunis.

We arrived in Marseille on an early flight from Barcelona with excitement and anticipation. We hopped in an Uber and headed straight for the port. There wasn’t time to soak in much of the city this visit—I’d wandered Marseille’s port streets before, though—but my mind was already on the boat!

Our next stop was Camogli, a little fishing village that felt frozen in time. The colorful facades of its houses seemed to tumble down toward the pebbled beach, and fishing boats bobbed gently in the harbor. From there, we glided along the coast to Portofino, that picture-perfect jewel of the Riviera. As our boat approached, the iconic crescent of pastel buildings came into view, wrapping protectively around the tiny harbor like a scene from a dream. It’s hard to believe a place so small could be so famous—and so effortlessly glamorous. Our final stop was Santa Margherita Ligure, a town with a graceful, old-world elegance. I strolled the promenade, stopped at a local bar for a glass of wine, and watching locals chat over espresso at outdoor tables. If I could’ve stayed forever, I would have.

Portofino, Italy

Then, we stopped in Naples, Italy, where we took a self-guided exploration deep into its character-filled streets, where narrow alleys unfolded like a maze of discovery. Our first stop in Naples was the stunning Galleria Umberto I. Of course, no visit to Naples is complete without diving into its legendary food scene. We started out trying the local sfogliatella: crisp, flaky layers giving way to sweet, citrus-scented ricotta filling. Paired with a perfect espresso, it was pure joy. Next, we turned our attention to the city’s most famous dish: pizza. The paper-thin crust, smoky from the wood-fired oven, just the right balance of bright tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and a drizzle of olive oil—we devoured a pie each without a second thought. We ambled back to the ship, the afternoon sun casting a golden glow on the water, already dreaming of our next Neapolitan adventure.

Gallery Umberto I

Sicily’s charm hit me the moment we stepped off the ship at our next port, in Palermo. We’d signed up for a historic walking tour, and our first stop was the magnificent Teatro Massimo di Palermo, Italy’s largest opera house. From there, we meandered deeper into the city’s heart, where one of the day’s highlights awaited: Capo Market, which was pure sensory overload in the best way. Next, we found ourselves in front of the awe-inspiring Palermo Cathedral, a masterpiece of Norman, Arab, and Gothic influences all woven together like history written in stone. By the end of the tour, we wandered slowly back toward the ship, stopping (of course) for one last aperitivo, as if trying to stretch the day just a little longer.

Teatro di Massimo, Palermo

Next up, Tunisia! The port itself is in La Goulette, a fair distance from central Tunis, so we joined a tour that took us by bus into the city. First, we toured the ancient city of Carthage, tracing the outlines of the Baths of Antonius, peering into the Punic Necropolis, and pausing to take in breathtaking views of the nearby sea. On our way to the Medina, we were treated to an unscheduled stop at the Malik Ibn Anas Mosque. Though it’s open only to Muslims, we admired its beautiful architecture and the sense of peace that seemed to radiate from its courtyards from outside the gates. And then, the Medina of Tunis—a labyrinth of narrow lanes, where the air smelled of leather, warm spices, and incense. The Medina felt timeless, the hum of bargaining (definitely encouraged) and the occasional call to prayer rising above it all. A handmade rug, a few ceramics and tiny bottles of perfumed oil rounded out our shopping—small treasures from a day we’ll never forget.

Medina de Tunis

Our final port was Barcelona, which was brisk but sunny. Ok, it was cold! But we lucked out with the weather everywhere else, so no complaints. We got off the boat really early and used the hop-on hop-off bus, which we affectionately call the HoHo, to explore. We started in the Mercat de la Boqueria for a good breakfast of Spanish omelettes and coffee. Then, we hopped back on the bus to take the route around the Sagrada Familia, which stunned us with amazing architecture and painstaking detail. At a stop for bottomless sangria— deep red, dotted with citrus, and cool and refreshing—we stretched out the meal as long as we could, savoring the flavors and the moment, knowing this was Barcelona at its finest.

Mercat de la Boqueria, Barcelona

A quick Uber took us right back to port to pack up and, sadly, say goodbye to the Fantasia as we sailed overnight back to Marseille. But not to worry—I’ll definitely be back for another MSC cruise!

Quiet season cruises can be so enjoyable if you're looking for an itinerary with smaller crowds, a more local experience, and sweater weather.

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