Mediterranean Cruise on Harmony of the Seas: Barcelona, Rome, Cinque Terre and More
Quick takeaways
- 12 days total: 3 nights in Barcelona (with a day trip to Sitges), then a 7-night Western Mediterranean cruise round trip from Barcelona on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas.
- Ports: Palma de Mallorca, Marseille, La Spezia (for Cinque Terre), Civitavecchia (for Rome) and Naples (for the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento and Herculaneum), then a sea day.
- Rome and Naples are each a long drive from the pier, so we booked private tours to see as much as possible in one day.
- Harmony had just been amplified: the new Pesky Parrot bar, Playmakers Sports Bar, a new non-smoking casino area and The Price Is Right game show!
- Biggest lesson: don’t try to cram too much into one port day when there’s a lot of driving between stops.
This was a big one! In May 2026 I took my two boys, Benjamin and Christopher, on a Mediterranean adventure: three nights in Barcelona, then a 7-night cruise on Royal Caribbean®’s Harmony of the Seas. My colleague Allison and her daughter sailed with us too! We explored four countries in 12 days, and my boys have said over and over that it’s the best trip they’ve ever taken. I couldn’t agree more.
I know a lot of our clients are booked on Med cruises this summer and next, so I wanted to share exactly what we did in every port, what it cost, how we got around, and what I’d do differently next time.
Barcelona: arriving and the new EES
We definitely hit the ground running! Our flight from Toronto left about an hour late, but we made up about 30 minutes in the air.
A lot of people have been asking about Europe’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), so here’s how it went for us. When we got to immigration there was a massive line. After about 15 minutes, an employee came over and asked if we were on the flight from Toronto, then sent the front of our group to a different line to use the kiosks. The huge line was for the manual booths. I chatted with someone travelling on US passports who had been in that line for over 2 hours, and her friend waited over 4 hours the week before!
The kiosk itself was simple. You scan your passport, then it takes a photo, an eye scan and your fingerprints, all in about 5 minutes. Once the machine says you’re clear, follow the exit signs and scan your passport once more to get to baggage claim. Honestly, waiting for our suitcase took longer! From stepping off the plane to having my suitcase in hand took about 40 to 45 minutes.
Amy’s tipHave your passport handy the whole way through. You’ll scan it at the EES kiosk and again to exit into baggage claim. And as always, Canadians must travel with a valid passport, and we recommend it be valid for at least six months past your return date. Some destinations only require three months, but six months is the safest rule of thumb.
A tuk tuk tour and the Sagrada Familia
We barely slept 2 hours on the plane. Our driver took us to the hotel to drop off our luggage, they helped us with the subway, and we headed into the city for the 3-hour tuk tuk tour I’d booked. Knowing we’d be tired (and that our room wouldn’t be ready anyway), it was a relaxed way to see a lot of Barcelona. Tuk tuks are fairly new in Barcelona. I’d done a tuk tuk tour in Dubrovnik before, so I knew it would be great, and it was! I highly recommend it.
Amy’s tipComing in on an overnight flight? Plan something easy for day one. The tuk tuk tour let us see so much of Barcelona sitting down while we waited for our hotel room to be ready.
Next up was the Sagrada Familia. There are lots of ticket options, with or without a guide, or including the towers. I bought basic tickets, which include a 20-minute audio guide, but we were all so tired that we just wandered on our own. No regrets, it’s what worked for us!
The basilica is absolutely beautiful. Construction officially began on March 19, 1882, with a neo-Gothic design by Francisco de Paula del Villar. He was soon replaced by Antoni Gaudi, who took over in 1883 and turned it into something completely new. When Gaudi died in 1926, less than 25% was complete. It’s been under construction for over 140 years, and the core of the building is expected to be finished in the 2030s.
By then we were starving! Benjamin eats gluten-free, which can be a challenge when you travel. Google found us an entirely gluten-free spot with burgers, chicken fingers and fries. Nothing fancy, but a great option for him (and Christopher said the beer was good!). Then it was back on the subway, check in, showers, and we slept a solid 12+ hours!
La Rambla, Barceloneta Beach and the Magic Fountain
On day two we took the subway to Placa de Catalunya with no real plan other than to wander La Rambla towards the water. Heads-up: the whole centre of La Rambla is under construction. It started in February and is expected to be finished in February 2027. It was a bit disappointing and noisy, and it made me glad we weren’t staying at a hotel right there, but it’s much needed and will be lovely when it’s done.
We did find Mercat de la Boqueria, and the boys thought it was so cool. They’d never seen a market like it!
Amy’s tipUntil the La Rambla construction wraps up (expected February 2027), I’d book a hotel a little away from it. It was noisy!
After about 2 hours we reached Barceloneta Beach and just kept walking along the waterfront. The boys had a goal in mind: the casino! lol. We stopped for a happy hour drink, walked about another hour, and spent about 2 hours playing roulette. Benjamin and I lost our money, but Christopher cashed out €5 ahead!
- La Rambla to the beach: about 2 hours of wandering
- Beach to happy hour: another 30 to 45 minutes on foot
- Happy hour to the casino: about one more hour
- Getting back: we walked back to the subway
Then it was back on the subway to Montjuic. Montjuic is a broad hill between the Mediterranean and the Llobregat River, and it’s where the city was born. The day before, we’d been up top looking down, and I knew the Magic Fountain puts on a water, light and music show at night. It was beautiful and I’m so glad we went! It was very crowded, though, and it wasn’t even peak season yet, so we didn’t stay too long.
We finished with a nightcap at a local bar near our hotel and had fun chatting with the locals. We found four different gluten-free beers in Barcelona! And what a price difference: 2 beers and a vodka cost €23.50 in the city centre, and the same three drinks were €12 by our hotel.
Amy’s tipWe bought a 48-hour subway pass for €18 each, and it worked really well for getting in and out of the city from our hotel. Barcelona’s subway is very easy to navigate.
A day trip to Sitges
You could easily spend more than two days in Barcelona, but for our third and final day I wanted something different, so we headed to Sitges (pronounced “see-chayz”). From our hotel it was about 50 to 60 minutes: a short walk to a different subway line, one stop, a 3-minute walk to the train station, then about 40 minutes on the train. Very easy!
We arrived just in time for lunch at a spot right on the beach with a view (and a gluten-free option for Benjamin). Then we strolled and soaked it all up. We easily walked to two different beaches, each with its own charm. Sitges is very family friendly and very LGBTQ friendly.
We had a drink on the beach, and I said it was a must to put our feet in the Balearic Sea! Plenty of people were swimming, but it was too chilly for us. More strolling, some ice cream, then we picked up Mexican takeout (gluten-free corn shells!) to eat back at our hotel. Having a kitchen was a bonus. We spent the rest of the evening relaxing on the balcony. Next up, our cruise!
Boarding Harmony of the Seas
Allison and her daughter had arrived in Barcelona (and crashed at our hotel), and off to the cruise port we went! A few things to know about the Barcelona cruise terminal:
- Porters: they wouldn’t take our backpacks, only suitcases.
- Small terminal: the waiting area is very small, so stick to your boarding time.
- Easy process: it was really smooth from start to finish.
I’d sailed Harmony before, back in 2022. She first sailed in 2016 and had just been amplified, with the new Pesky Parrot (formerly the Bionic Bar), the new Playmakers Sports Bar (formerly Sabor) and a new non-smoking casino area on deck 4 (where the stand-up comedy club used to be).
Our first night was low-key. We had an interior cabin this time, and while it’s a great option, I really missed the extra space of a balcony! We were in one of the infinity hot tubs with Barcelona in the background as we sailed away, then had dinner in the main dining room, strolled through Central Park, spent some time in the casino and grabbed late-night pizza, including gluten-free pizza for Benjamin!
Port 1: Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Palma has a few options for getting into town: walk (about an hour, and hilly, so no thanks!), a round-trip shuttle for €15 per person, or a taxi for about €17 to €20. A taxi was more cost effective for the three of us, and it took us exactly where we wanted to go.
With no plan, we wandered and took it all in. On the drive in, Christopher called Mallorca “the Miami of Spain”: hotels, the marina, palm trees, sun and heat! Once we got into the old town and its narrow streets, that South Beach feel disappeared.
We stayed about 3 hours. You could easily stay longer, especially if you sit down for lunch or a drink, but after four busy days we didn’t want to overdo it. It was perfect for us, and next time I’d love to try a catamaran or boat excursion from here!
Port 2: Marseille, France
The very next day we were in France! It was our only day in France and a short port day, but we made the best of it. To get from the cruise terminal to the city centre, a taxi is about €25 one way, a shuttle bus is €25 per person round trip, or you can walk 15 to 20 minutes to the free shuttle bus stop.
We walked in the morning, just missed a bus and waited about 20 minutes for the next one. The free bus drops you in Joliette, about a 5-minute walk from La Major Cathedral. We took photos and browsed some shops on our way to the marina for a ride on Le Petit Train.
Le Petit Train has two routes, each €11 per person and about 90 minutes long. Ours went up, up, up to Notre-Dame de la Garde, the highest point in Marseille. It’s an absolutely gorgeous church and the views are spectacular! A train comes every 10 minutes and your ticket includes the ride back, so you can stay as long as you like. Afterwards we browsed a few more shops and took a taxi all the way back to the port.
Port 3: La Spezia and Cinque Terre, Italy
Buongiorno Italia! My boys were so excited to finally reach Italy. I’d been to northern Italy before (Verona and Venice), so it was nice to explore somewhere new. My roots are part Italian too: my dad was born there and came to Canada with my grandparents when he was 4.
La Spezia is a tender port. That means you leave the ship on a smaller boat that takes you to shore. Royal Caribbean made it easy by letting us pick our tender time and ticket in the Royal Caribbean app. If you’ve booked a Royal Caribbean excursion, you don’t need a tender ticket. You’ll meet your group on board (usually in the theatre).
From La Spezia, most people either go to the Leaning Tower of Pisa (about an hour’s drive) or visit Cinque Terre, which was our plan! Cinque Terre means “Five Lands.” It’s a UNESCO-protected stretch of the Italian Riviera with five cliffside villages, each with its own charm: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. You can travel between them by train or ferry, or hike the coastline. Lots of people were hiking. Hard pass from me! Ha!
It’s about a 25-minute walk from the port to the train station (I just followed Google Maps), or a taxi is €25. A Cinque Terre day pass is €22 per person, or single tickets are €5 one way. We bought single tickets, 4 rides at €5 each, which still worked out better than the day pass. Buy them at the station, and validate them in the machine before you board!
Amy’s tipYou can see all five villages in one day, but you’d need the whole day and you’d have very little time in each. Pick one or two (we managed three!). The villages are very hilly with lots of steps, so wear good shoes and be prepared.
Vernazza
I picked Vernazza first. It’s the largest of the five, the only one with a sandy beach, and it’s considered the most charming and authentic. It’s the fourth village from La Spezia, about 20 to 25 minutes by train, and we stood the whole way because it was so busy!
We arrived around 11 am and ate first. Right outside the station was a restaurant with a “gluten-free pizza” sign. Done! We ordered one gluten-free and one regular, and we all raved that it was one of the best pizzas we’ve ever had. I had a limoncello spritz too!
We climbed lots of stairs and narrow passages up to Castello Doria (€2 each) for an incredible view. The boys went up the turret, but I passed! lol. We finished with gelato, and Benjamin tried his very first affogato (ice cream topped with espresso). We spent about 2 hours in Vernazza and never felt rushed.
Monterosso
Monterosso is the furthest village, but only about 3 minutes by train from Vernazza. It’s the flattest of the five and has the only really big beach (pebbles), with a beach club and a free public beach at the end. The water was cold but beautiful!
It was about 1:30 pm and so hot. We stopped for a drink in a spot with zero breeze (not my best choice!), and I used the beach foot-washing station to cool off my head, face and arms. Much needed! We walked the main path as far as it goes, right up to a gate, and were rewarded with a beautiful view and a sculpture I didn’t even know was there: Il Gigante (The Giant), a concrete statue of Neptune built in 1910. Bombs and weather have destroyed parts of it over time, and it was partly restored in 1966.
Riomaggiore
We were headed back to the ship, then said on a whim, let’s do one more! Riomaggiore is the closest village to La Spezia, and in hindsight, I’d go there first. It’s the hilliest of the three we saw. Just when you think you’re going downhill, nope, you’re going uphill again! It’s full of narrow streets, great shops and even hidden bars. My one regret is not going into a tiny hidden bar we found!
After about 45 to 60 minutes we took the train back to La Spezia. There was no way we were walking to the port, so we shared a big taxi van (€25 flat rate) with two other families, then took the tender back to the ship. My original plan was just to wander La Spezia, which would have been great, but Cinque Terre was so much more!
We were so tired that we were asleep by 9 pm (maybe even 8:30!). Know your limits. I’ll cruise Royal Caribbean again, but I’m not sure how soon I’ll be back in Italy! The night before, we’d watched The Fine Line in the Aqua Theatre. I’ve seen several Aqua shows on Royal’s Oasis Class ships and they’re all different and so enjoyable. They’re included in your cruise fare and definitely worth making time for.
- The show: The Fine Line in the Aqua Theatre
- Cost: included in your cruise fare
- Our bedtime after Cinque Terre: 8:30 pm, no shame! lol
Port 4: Rome in one day
All roads lead to Rome! This was the day my boys were most looking forward to, and my first time in Rome too. One thing to understand first: ships dock in Civitavecchia, and the city centre is a good 60 to 90 minutes away by car or train. That’s why we booked a private tour with a private driver, and Allison and her daughter joined us. Giancarlo met us right at the port. He was so kind, funny and authentic, and we learned all about his love of Rome, Italy and his family.
First stop: Vatican City, its own country with only about 600 to 800 residents. St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world, and inside you’ll find Michelangelo’s Pieta. It’s free to enter, but get there as early as you can. Our guide hustled us there for 9 am and we waited less than 10 minutes. When we came out 45 minutes later, the line was massive! We skipped the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, which need tickets and more time. You just can’t do everything in one day!
Next was a quick stop at Castel Sant’Angelo, the fortress on the Tiber River connected to the Vatican by the Passetto di Borgo. It started as an ancient Roman tomb and later became a papal refuge, a prison and now a museum. Giancarlo also showed us how Rome’s drinking fountains work. Let’s just say I cooled off, and my feet were soaked! lol
Then our air-conditioned van (so worth it!) took us to the Trevi Fountain, the largest fountain in Rome, with dramatic statues of the sea god Oceanus built right into a building. Recent renovations added tiers for viewing, and the bottom level, where you can still toss a coin, now costs €2 per person. Legend says one coin means you’ll return to Rome, two means you’ll find love with a Roman, and three means you’ll marry them!
Next were the Spanish Steps, a 135-step Baroque staircase built between 1723 and 1725 that connects Piazza di Spagna to the Trinita dei Monti church. Despite the name, they were funded by a French diplomat! I was very happy we arrived at the top and only had to walk down. lol
For lunch, Benjamin had been hearing that European wheat is different and might not bother him, but Rome wasn’t a day he wanted to gamble. We found a restaurant near the Spanish Steps with a whole gluten-free section of the menu, including a glass case of gluten-free desserts! Benjamin took a dessert box to go and, unbeknownst to me, ate every one in the back of the van. lol. Then we popped into the coolest wine shop next door so Benjamin could bring home a bottle of Italian vino.
The photos of the Colosseum speak for themselves. We bought tickets for the arena floor. With more time, I’d book the Underground Experience with a private guide. The boys would have loved seeing even more.
Our last stop was a local outdoor market Giancarlo knew, where Benjamin found a leather belt and we sampled limoncello. The real highlight was a little deli and cheese shop where we bought soppressata. Oh my, it was so good! I grew up with my dad making homemade salami every winter, and the boys are now trying to convince him to make it again. It was over an hour back to the port, and what a fantastic day. It wasn’t long enough, but there’s plenty to explore next time!
Amy’s tipRome is 60 to 90 minutes from the Civitavecchia cruise port. A private driver and guide is the easiest way to see the highlights in one day, and there’s no stress about getting back to the ship on time. Ask us to set one up for your sailing!
The Price Is Right on board!
Another new addition to Harmony is The Price Is Right! It runs once per week-long sailing, with two shows in one night. Anyone can watch and play along, but to play for prizes you buy an entry, so Benjamin bought one. The game is played on your phone. The closest guess without going over (and the fastest) goes on stage for a chance to win cash. Everyone in the audience earns points with their guesses and the mini games, and the top two point-earners go on stage to spin the wheel for the main prize. The third contestant is picked at random.
Spoiler alert: Benjamin made it to the Showcase Showdown, and he didn’t realize your two spins get added together! He ended up the winner! What a fun night!
Amy’s tipThe Price Is Right only runs once per week-long sailing, with two shows that night. Watch for it on your schedule so you don’t miss it, and buy an entry if you want a shot at the prizes!
Port 5: Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Positano, Sorrento and Herculaneum
Our last port and last day in Italy. We booked another private tour to make the most of it: drive the Amalfi Coast, visit Positano and Sorrento, and finish at the ruins of Herculaneum. The Amalfi Coast is about 52 miles long, with 1001 curves, 13 fishing villages and the most incredible views!
We had about an hour in Positano, and that is NOT enough! We wanted to get down to the beach to put our toes in the sea, but the walk! There are so many shops and restaurants. Benjamin bought a fabulous pair of dress shoes and a Positano t-shirt. I could have stayed all day, and I was really sad to leave.
Then Sorrento, with just one hour that also had to include lunch. We found shops (leather goods, limoncello, and magnets for Allison!) and a cafe, where we apologized for being North Americans who needed to eat fast! lol. Benjamin decided this was the day to try regular bread and had a sandwich. He enjoyed every bite and felt fine the rest of the afternoon!
Last was Herculaneum. Entrance tickets were extra, and we added a private guide to walk us through. Herculaneum was an ancient town of 4,000 to 5,000 people at the base of Mount Vesuvius, destroyed along with Pompeii in the eruption of 79 CE. Its excavation in the 1700s, along with Pompeii’s, helped launch modern archaeology, and the ruins became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
It’s full of history, but honestly, I wish we’d skipped it and spent more time in Positano and Sorrento. Since we’d already paid for the guide, I couldn’t just cancel.
Lesson learnedDon’t try to do too much in one day when there’s a lot of driving between stops. For Naples, pick two of Positano, Sorrento, Pompeii or Herculaneum, not all of them.
Life on board Harmony of the Seas
Besides exploring four countries, we found plenty of time to enjoy the ship! We watched lots of shows, played trivia and games, and relaxed in the adults-only Solarium with the hot tubs and a deck of cards. We watched the Belly Flop Contest and the Sexy Man Contest poolside (always a good time!) and had some good laughs at the adults-only Battle of the Sexes show. With both boys now of age, the casino was fun for all three of us. And we even found the stowaway pianist!
Cruising is still my absolute favourite way to travel. I love unpacking just once, then waking up each morning somewhere new to explore. The three of us had such a wonderful time together, and these will be core memories for a long time.
My Mediterranean cruise tips
- Arrive early: we spent 3 nights in Barcelona before the cruise, and it’s a destination on its own.
- Book a balcony: an interior cabin is a great value, but on a busy port-intensive week I really missed the extra space.
- Pace yourself: port days are long and hot. An early night is sometimes the best plan!
- Plan the far ports: Rome and Naples involve long drives, so a private tour or ship excursion takes the stress out of making it back on time.
- Bring euros: handy for taxis, shuttles, trains and small entry fees.
- Gluten-free? We found great options everywhere, especially pizza and pasta in Italy. Google and a bit of research helped a lot.
- Passport: Passport valid for at least six months past your return date (the safest rule of thumb).
Dreaming about your own Med cruise? We’ve been there, and we’d love to help you plan every port, from tours and transfers to pre-cruise nights in Barcelona!
FAQs
What ports does Harmony of the Seas visit on a Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona?
Our 7-night round trip from Barcelona in May 2026 visited Palma de Mallorca, Marseille, La Spezia (for Cinque Terre), Civitavecchia (for Rome) and Naples, plus a sea day. Itineraries change by season, so ask us which ports your sailing visits.
How long does the new EES take when you land in Europe?
For us, the Entry/Exit System kiosk at Barcelona airport took about 5 minutes: scan your passport, then a photo, eye scan and fingerprints. From stepping off the plane to having our suitcase took about 40 to 45 minutes, but the manual booth line was much longer for others.
How far is Rome from the Civitavecchia cruise port?
Rome’s city centre is about 60 to 90 minutes from Civitavecchia by car or train. With only one day, a private driver and guide is the easiest way to see the Vatican, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and Colosseum and get back to the ship on time.
Can you see Cinque Terre from the La Spezia cruise port?
Yes. Walk about 25 minutes (or take a €25 taxi) to La Spezia’s train station, then take the Cinque Terre train between villages. Single tickets were €5 each way and a day pass was €22. Remember to validate your ticket before boarding.
Is La Spezia a tender port?
Yes, on our sailing Harmony of the Seas anchored and we took a tender boat to shore. Royal Caribbean let us choose a tender time in the app, and guests on ship excursions go ashore with their group.
How do you get into town from the Palma de Mallorca and Marseille cruise ports?
In Palma, we took a taxi for about €17 to €20 (a round-trip shuttle was €15 per person). In Marseille, a taxi was about €25 one way, a shuttle was €25 per person round trip, or you can walk 15 to 20 minutes to a free shuttle bus.
Is it easy to eat gluten-free on a Mediterranean cruise?
We found great gluten-free options in Barcelona, Sitges, Vernazza and Rome, including gluten-free pizza, pasta, beer and desserts, plus gluten-free pizza on board Harmony of the Seas. A little research before each port helped a lot.
Does it cost more to book a Mediterranean cruise with a travel agent?
No, there’s no fee to book a cruise with Travitude Travel Group. You get a consultant who has actually sailed these ports and can help with pre-cruise hotels, private tours and transfers.
