MSC Lirica: 10-Night Cruise from Venice - December 7, 2026

With roughly 7 hours hours in Katakolon (Olympia), Greece - arriving at 10:00 AM and departing at 5:00 PM - you'll want to be strategic. A ship-arranged shore excursion is a smart choice here - the ship will wait for its own excursions to return. Stick to attractions close to the port. One moment you are enjoying a coffee by the water and the next you are walking through the ruins where the Olympic Games began.

The MSC Lirica is a mid-sized ship, which means excursion options in Heraklion, Crete, Greece are plentiful. Plan your top priorities in advance and you'll generally find services accessible without long waits. Knossos is the main reason many travelers come to Heraklion and it lives up to expectations.

Your ship arrives in Port Said (Cairo), Egypt at 7:00 AM, one of the most common arrival windows. If you've booked a morning excursion, aim to be among the first off. If your plans are flexible, waiting 30-45 minutes lets the initial wave pass. The Port Said Military Museum offers insights into the city's role in conflicts around the Suez Canal.

With 14 hours hours in Alexandria, Egypt - from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM - you have a full day ashore with room to breathe. Go beyond the typical tourist stops: neighborhoods, local dining, and cultural sites that most cruise visitors never reach. Leave time for unstructured wandering. The modern Library of Alexandria is a striking cultural landmark inspired by the ancient world center of learning.

The MSC Lirica is a mid-sized ship, which means excursion options in Split, Croatia are plentiful. Plan your top priorities in advance and you'll generally find services accessible without long waits. Diocletians Palace is not a single building but a living neighborhood at the center of Split.

Your cruise ends in Venice, Italy, where the MSC Lirica is scheduled to dock at 8:00 AM. On a smaller ship, the disembarkation process moves quickly - most passengers are off within one to two hours. If you're flying out, book your flight at least four hours after the ship's scheduled arrival. St. Mark's Basilica dazzles with mosaics, the Doge's Palace evokes medieval grandeur, and countless museums showcase Venetian masterpieces.