When you think Palma, think leafy boulevards that echo with the stilettos of stylish shoppers. Tiny tapas bars tucked down narrow sidestreets. Architectural gold hidden in the historic quarter. With its trademark cathedral dominating the skyline, cosmopolitan Palma never fails to impress.

A living monument to the Renaissance, Florence might be famous for its art galleries, but the entire city is like one gigantic piece of artwork. Beautiful buildings, picturesque piazzas and stunning sculptures are everywhere you look. Marvel at Michelangelo’s David in the Accademia. Clap eyes on Botticelli’s Birth of Venus in the Uffizi Gallery. Then head for the Ponte Vecchio bridge to browse the glittering jewellery shops that find a home here.

Pisa’s another Tuscan treasure. Make a beeline for the Campo dei Miracoli, an exquisite square which harbours the city’s cathedral and, of course, the famous Leaning Tower. Quite how it manages to stay standing will baffle you for days afterwards. If you fancy a spot of shopping, head for the Borgo Stretto. It’s a paradise for jewellery, leather, clothes, homeware and pottery.

Explore the scenic Tuscan countryside, passing Medieval hill towns that look as if they’ve been caught in a time warp. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a little wine tasting in the sun. Take a trip to the villa of composer Giacomo Puccini, set on the banks of picture-postcard Lake Massaciuccoli. Cruise along the royal canals of Livorno. Have your cameras ready as you sail through colourful 'New Venice', a labyrinth of canals, waterways and bridges.

Monaco, despite being the most densely populated country in the world, is just a fraction of the size of the Isle of Wight. You’ll find this pint-sized nation in a prime spot on the French Riviera, just a stone’s throw from the Italian border. Million-pound yachts try to outdo one another in the harbour, which is flanked by contemporary apartments and a scattering of Art Nouveau-style buildings. Shopping malls and casinos are jumbled up with pretty boutiques and churches in the maze-like Monaco-Ville neighbourhood.

Just along the waterfront in Monte Carlo, palatial mansions and lavish hotels face up to the Mediterranean Sea. Fusing French Riviera glam with the feel of a traditional old town, Toulon is your gorgeous gateway to the Côte d’Azur. Follow the sound of popping corks and clinking champagne flutes to über-stylish St-Tropez, a long-time glitterati favourite.

Venture into Aix en Provence and find out about its dual identity. This place is known as the Town of Water thanks to its fountains and the Town of Art because of its many museums. Venture into the breathtaking Provence countryside and stumble upon sleepy French villages. This enchanting region has inspired many a great master, including Van Gogh and Cézanne.

Barcelona is up there with the most famous cities in the world, and for good reason. Sandwiched between the Mediterranean Sea and the Serra de Collserola hills, this Spanish titan promises cutting-edge architecture, trend-setting fashion and art that breaks the mould. It’s a place where boutique-lined boulevards and intimate espresso bars give way to authentic tapas joints and narrow cobbled streets.

DAY 1: Palma, Majorca

DAY 2: At sea

DAY 3: Livorno (for Florence and Pisa), Italy

DAY 4: Villefranche (for Monaco and Nice), France

DAY 5: Toulon (for the Cote d'Azur), France

DAY 6: Barcelona, Spain

DAY 7: Valencia, Spain

DAY 8: Palma, Majorca

As the newest member of the Marella Cruises family, Marella Voyager’s facilities are fresh out of the wrapper. It set sail for the first time in June 2023 with a bar and restaurant offering that counts up to 10, as well as an indoor cinema, a pool deck – complete with a swimming pool and whirlpools – and a big show lounge. There are plenty of places where you can take in the sea views, too, from the mini golf course at the top of the ship to The Veranda, where cosy Balinese beds point towards the big blue.

DINING OPTIONS

The dining scene packs in a variety of restaurants, including a food hall that deals in globetrotting meal stations, waiter-service speciality spots and all-day grab ‘n’ go snacks. Marella Voyager boasts some exclusive eateries, too – its Mexican restaurant is the only one of its kind in the entire fleet. And, when it comes to bars, the line-up ticks off everything from the Squid & Anchor – our popular British-style pub – to the stylish Speakeasy Bar, which is brand new for this ship.

ENTERTAINMENT VENUES

Marella Voyager’s Broadway Show Lounge will be big enough to rival the theatres you’d find in London’s West End, and the shows will be best-in-class. There’ll be 12 for you to watch throughout your cruise, with a couple of showings every evening. Alternatively, you’ll be able to head to the Squid & Anchor and get involved with a quiz or a game show. Make your way to the Bar, Club and Casino, meanwhile, and you’ll be able to let loose on the dancefloor or try your luck at the blackjack and roulette tables.

SHIP FACILITIES

There’s something for everyone to enjoy onboard Marella Voyager. Little cruisers will have the game-filled M Club to kick back in, while older kids and teens will be in charge of Hideout – it’ll be loaded with games consoles. Elsewhere, grown-ups will be able to unwind during a pampering session at the spa and beauty salon. The whole family, meanwhile, can make the most of the crazy golf course and pool deck – the latter will boast a big swimming pool and a pair of whirlpool baths.

ACCOMMODATION

Every cabin on Marella Voyager comes with:

• Air-conditioning
• A hairdryer
• A flatscreen TV
• Wardrobe space
• Tea and coffee-making facilities
• A safe

Price is per person, based on 2 adults sharing, and includes:

• Return flights from Cork or Dublin
• Checked luggage
• Return airport transfers
• 7-night cruise onboard the Marella Voyager, in an inside cabin
• Marella Cruises are All-Inclusive: transfers, meals, drinks, tips & service charges are all included as standard

Please ask us about adding great value:

• Travel insurance
• Upgrade your cabin type

Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply. Prices are based on live availability and can change. Prices are only guaranteed at the time of booking.

For more information please call us on 021 493 5806 or 0818 300205, email cruise@shandontravel.ie, request a call back using the red button, or submit an enquiry through the form below.