🛳️ Italy, Greek Islands, and Turkey - 7 Days at Sea with the Family!

Cruising Europe: The Ports of Call We’d Absolutely Do Again
Last week, I shared our experience aboard the MSC Divina—a 7-night cruise across Europe with our family of five. This week, I’m diving into the ports of call, because I would 100% do this itinerary again. So much to see, so much to eat, and so much fun.

Quick Recap:
🛳️ Cruise Line: MSC Cruises – Divina
📍 Ports of Call: Rome, Mykonos, Kusadasi (Turkey), Santorini, Naples
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Crew: 2 adults + 3 teens

Rome
Our cruise departed from Civitavecchia, which is about an hour outside of Rome. Since we had a couple of days in Rome beforehand, we used that time to adjust to the time change and enjoy the city without the pressure of trying to see it all in one go. We've been to Rome before, so we didn’t feel the need to rush through all the usual tourist spots, but if you’re short on time, the hop-on/hop-off bus is a gamechanger. It’s such an easy way to hit all the major landmarks.

We did make a point to revisit some favorites: the Coliseum, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, and somehow managed to hit 25,000 steps in a single day (thank you, gelato breaks!).

Mykonos
Our first official port of call was the dreamy Greek island of Mykonos. This was the only stop where we didn’t have anything pre-booked, and honestly, it was perfect that way. The kids wanted a beach day, so we hopped in a taxi and made our way to Ornos Beach—a lively little spot with calm, clear water, nearby beach clubs, and shaded lounge areas.

The kids swam while my husband and I relaxed with drinks in the shade and people-watched. On the way back to the cruise port, we asked our cab driver for a restaurant recommendation—and he did not steer us wrong. We had one of the best meals of the trip: grilled kebabs, creamy hummus, and fresh, fluffy pita bread. It was a great reminder that sometimes the best days are the simplest ones..

Kusadasi, Turkey
We were really looking forward to this stop and it didn’t disappoint. We had booked a guided tour of Ephesus, one of the most well-preserved ancient cities in the world. Walking through the marble streets and seeing the remains of Roman baths, temples, and even a grand amphitheater was surreal. Ephesus is over 2,000 years old and was once one of the most important cities in the Roman Empire.

After the tour, we enjoyed a traditional Turkish lunch that included grilled chicken and lamb, fresh salads, warm breads, and a variety of chutneys and dips. And of course, the kids were on a mission to find “stretchy ice cream”—a Turkish treat made with mastic, a natural resin that gives the ice cream a chewy, elastic texture. It was both fun to watch the vendors stretch and flip the ice cream and delicious to eat.

Santorini
This stop was a strong contender for our favorite. The island is absolutely stunning—those whitewashed buildings, blue domes, and cliffside views are even more magical in person. We did a guided tour that took us through the charming streets of Fira and the picture-perfect village of Oia. I could’ve easily spent a full week here.

The tour included plenty of photo ops, a bit of local history, and a highlight lunch stop at a small, family-owned microgreens farm. We were treated to a literal farm-to-table meal—beautifully prepared dishes using their own produce and paired with Santorini wines. It felt intimate, authentic, and like something you don’t always get on typical tourist routes.

Naples
Our final stop was Naples, and we took the opportunity to head straight to Pompeii. My husband and I visited nearly 20 years ago on our honeymoon, and coming back with our kids was incredibly special. Pompeii was famously destroyed in 79 AD when Mount Vesuvius erupted, covering the city in over 20 feet of volcanic ash. What’s incredible is how well-preserved it all is—you can still walk through homes, temples, and shops, and see frescoes and mosaics that have lasted nearly 2,000 years.

After our visit, we wrapped up the day with one of the best pizzas we’ve ever had at a spot called Trattoria Castel Nuovo—a hidden gem just a few blocks from the cruise port that we found thanks to TripAdvisor. Thin crust, rich sauce, bubbling cheese... it was everything you want a Neapolitan pizza to be.

If you’ve made it this far and have any questions about our European cruise with MSC, I’d be happy to share more. We absolutely loved the Divina and wouldn’t hesitate to do this exact itinerary again! [email protected]