There may be coastlines that are more beautiful, but for many cruisers Italy’s coast is the belle of the ball. From the Venetian canals around the boot to picturesque Portofino, the Italian shoreline is both spectacular and sublime. With a slew of ships operating from Italy, itineraries range from seven days to more than two weeks. Choose a seven-day cruise if you want to add a few nights in Venice or Rome before or after your cruise. Choose a two-week-or-more cruise if you also want to get to the Greek isles or just spend your days leisurely passing Italy’s beautiful coastline on a cruise with a view.

2007 Cruises From The Eternal City

Departing Rome, particularly popular choices for seven-day cruises are Costa Concordia, Costa Victoria, Wind Surf (with the ability to combine to seven-day cruises for a two-week vacation with no repeating ports) and ships operated by Seabourn Cruise Line, Seadream Yacht Club and Silversea Cruises. Tenday and longer choices from Rome include: the new Carnival Freedom, Celebrity Cruises’ Galaxy, Holland America Line’s Westerdam, Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess and Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas.

2007 Cruises From Venice

A popular departure port for seven-day cruises, Venice welcomes many cruise passengers with an overnight stay on board the ship, allowing you to take in all the sights before departing for the Dalmatian coast and beyond. Popular choices for seven-day cruises include Costa Mediterranea, Costa Serena, MSC Cruises’ Armonia and Orchestra, and Royal Caribbean’s Splendour of the Seas. Stretch it out to 12 or more days on Celebrity’s Millennium, Crystal’s Serenity or Princess Cruises’ new Emerald Princess.