Seven Seas Prestige from Rome to Trieste: Capri, Sicily, Malta, Greece, Dubrovnik, Mount Etna and Vesuvius: a journey through the Mediterranean’s most beautiful waters

As the afternoon sun begins to soften over the Italian coast, Seven Seas Prestige prepares to sail from Rome on one of the most appealing voyages of her inaugural Mediterranean season. Ahead lies a nine-night journey through some of Europe’s most captivating waters: the glamour of Capri and the Amalfi Coast, the rich history of Sicily and Malta, the spiritual wonder of Meteora, the mountains of Montenegro and the timeless cities of the Adriatic before arriving in elegant Trieste on Italy’s northeastern shore.

Unusually, the voyage also offers the opportunity to experience two of Europe’s most famous volcanoes — Vesuvius and Mount Etna — each of which has helped shape the history, culture and character of the regions we visit.

Yet before any of those places appear, there is the simple pleasure of stepping aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ remarkable new ship.

A warm welcome, a glass of champagne, the anticipation of a new voyage and the knowledge that for the next nine nights everything has been thoughtfully arranged. Luggage has already arrived in our suite. The balcony doors are open to the Mediterranean breeze. Somewhere below, lines are quietly cast off and the Italian coastline begins to slip gently astern as Prestige turns south towards one of Europe’s most celebrated shores.

Dawn breaks, and on the horizon, Sorrento, and the romantic Isle of Capri.

Few destinations capture the imagination quite like this corner of Italy. We might choose to ascend Monte Solaro, where sweeping views encompass Capri, the Bay of Naples and the distant Italian mainland. Or browse the elegant streets of Capri itself, where cafés spill on to sunlit piazzas and luxury boutiques sit alongside buildings that have welcomed travellers for generations. Explore Pompeii, walking through streets frozen in time beneath the shadow of Vesuvius, or follow the winding roads of the Amalfi Coast towards Positano and some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe.

For more than a century, writers and artists have been drawn here. Graham Greene spent time on Capri, whilst Somerset Maugham found inspiration among the island’s dramatic scenery and curious blend of glamour and faded romance. Even today, it remains a place that feels somehow removed from the ordinary pace of life.

By late afternoon, however, we find our way back to Prestige. Cocktails are served. Dinner awaits. One of the quiet pleasures of Regent is that each evening feels slightly different. A relaxed supper in La Veranda one night, Pacific Rim the next, perhaps a long meal in Compass Rose accompanied by fine wines as the ship slips silently through the Mediterranean darkness. Beyond the windows, the lights of southern Italy begin to twinkle along the coast before gradually disappearing into the night as Prestige continues her journey towards Sicily.

Messina serves as a gateway to an island that has always felt distinct from mainland Italy. The historic opportunities here are unrivalled, as Regent anticipates the experiences we will enjoy the most. We might spend the day in Taormina, whose ancient Greek theatre frames one of the Mediterranean’s great views, with Mount Etna rising dramatically beyond the sea. Alternatively, we can journey on to the slopes of the volcano itself, discovering vineyards rooted in volcanic soil and wines found nowhere else on earth. Or we may be tempted by the villages forever associated with The Godfather, where Sicily’s history and mythology seem to merge effortlessly.

It was Sicily that inspired Goethe to write that ‘to have seen Italy without having seen Sicily is not to have seen Italy at all’. Standing above the Ionian Sea with Etna rising on the horizon, it is not difficult to understand what he meant.

That evening, the atmosphere aboard Prestige feels wonderfully relaxed. There is time for a quiet drink on the balcony before deciding where to dine. Perhaps it is Pacific Rim for beautifully presented Asian cuisine, Compass Rose for an elegant dinner accompanied by excellent wines, or Azure, Prestige’s new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant.

Whether relaxing in a beautifully appointed Veranda Suite or one of Prestige’s striking new Horizon Penthouse Suites, the sense of space and comfort quickly becomes part of the pleasure of the voyage itself.

Below, the sea stretches endlessly towards the horizon.

Overnight Prestige glides south through the Mediterranean.

By dawn, Valletta rises from the water in honey-coloured stone, one of the most impressive arrivals anywhere in Europe.

Built by the Knights of St John and overlooking one of Europe’s great natural harbours, Malta’s capital seems to emerge directly from history itself. Here we can explore magnificent churches, wander the silent streets of ancient Mdina or discover the remarkable story of the Three Cities whose fortifications helped shape the island’s extraordinary past.

As evening falls, Prestige slips quietly away from Valletta’s Grand Harbour. The mighty walls glow golden in the fading light. Dinner is served. Conversation flows easily. Tomorrow brings a day at sea.

And it is here that we begin to appreciate what makes Seven Seas Prestige so special.

As Regent’s first entirely new ship class in more than a decade, Prestige has been designed around many of the qualities experienced travellers increasingly value most: generous space, elegant surroundings, attentive service and a sense of calm that feels increasingly rare in modern travel. Approximately forty per cent larger than Regent’s Explorer-class ships whilst carrying only around ten per cent more guests, she offers an extraordinary feeling of openness. Everywhere there is space to pause, reflect and enjoy the journey, whether that means breakfast overlooking the sea, a quiet corner with a book or an evening stroll beneath the stars.

A sea day aboard Prestige is never wasted. We might linger over breakfast on our private balcony, spend the morning in the spa, enjoy a leisurely lunch, settle into a comfortable chair with a book or simply watch the sea unfold beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. The beauty of Regent has always been the freedom to spend time exactly as one chooses, and Prestige elevates that philosophy beautifully.

The next morning the mountains of Greece appear on the horizon.

Yet it is the excursion from Igoumenitsa that may well become the emotional heart of the voyage.

From the coast we travel inland towards Meteora, one of Europe’s most astonishing landscapes. Rising dramatically from the plains of Thessaly, immense stone pillars support monasteries that appear almost suspended between earth and sky. Built by monks seeking solitude centuries ago, these extraordinary structures combine spiritual significance with breathtaking natural beauty.

Returning to Prestige that evening, conversation inevitably turns to Meteora. Long after dinner has ended and another glass of wine has been poured, the extraordinary sight of those monasteries suspended between earth and sky remains difficult to forget. Even on a voyage filled with remarkable destinations, it is the sort of place that remains with us long after we return home.

By now the rhythm of life aboard Prestige feels wonderfully familiar. Days ashore are followed by elegant evenings at sea. We gather over dinner in Compass Rose, linger over conversation and another glass of wine, and watch the last traces of daylight fade beyond the horizon. We begin to understand why so many Regent guests are excited about this remarkable new ship. The familiar Regent hallmarks remain — spacious suites, exceptional dining and attentive service — yet Prestige introduces a new generation of accommodation and public spaces designed for the future of luxury travel. And meanwhile, another destination awaits in the morning.

And what a destination it is.

The approach to Kotor ranks among the great cruising experiences of Europe. As Prestige navigates the fjord-like waters of Montenegro’s spectacular bay, mountains rise dramatically on either side and tiny churches appear beside tranquil waters. Once ashore, we might wander Kotor’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, or perhaps cross the bay to the enchanting island church of Our Lady of the Rocks. Throughout the day, Montenegro reveals itself as one of the Adriatic’s most beautiful surprises.

The following morning brings Dubrovnik.

Few cities justify their reputation quite so completely. The ancient walls rise directly from the Adriatic, enclosing gleaming limestone streets and terracotta rooftops that have captivated visitors for centuries. We might walk the city walls, ascend Mount Srd for panoramic views stretching across the coastline and islands beyond, or venture into the Konavle Valley where family wineries and traditional villages reveal a quieter side of Croatia.

George Bernard Shaw famously remarked that those seeking paradise on earth should come to Dubrovnik. As the Adriatic sparkles beyond the city walls, it is difficult to disagree.

As Prestige departs that evening, the illuminated skyline slowly recedes into the distance. Another unforgettable day draws to a close.

One final Croatian treasure remains.

Zadar is often overshadowed by some of its Adriatic neighbours, yet many experienced travellers find it among the most rewarding destinations of all. Roman ruins and Venetian architecture reward exploration, whilst beyond the city lie some of Croatia’s most spectacular landscapes. We may choose to discover the waterfalls of Krka National Park or the celebrated lakes of Plitvice, whose turquoise waters and forested scenery rank among Europe’s great natural wonders.

That evening, we return to Prestige for one final night aboard. Dinner is served. The Adriatic glimmers beneath the stars. The voyage is drawing gently to its conclusion.

By morning, Trieste awaits.

Elegant, cultured and wonderfully atmospheric, this historic city has long stood at the meeting point of Latin, Slavic and Austrian influences. James Joyce spent more than a decade here while working on what would eventually become Ulysses, and traces of the city’s literary past remain woven into its grand cafés and broad seafront promenades. For some, it may also provide the perfect opportunity to linger a little longer in northern Italy, with Venice within easy reach before the journey home.

It is a fitting finale to a voyage that has combined some of the Mediterranean’s most captivating destinations with one of the most anticipated luxury ships in the world.

What makes this sailing so appealing is not simply the quality of the destinations, impressive though they undoubtedly are. It is the way they unfold. One day flows naturally into the next. Ancient civilisations give way to dramatic landscapes, which in turn lead to medieval cities and beautiful coastlines, all connected by the effortless comfort of life aboard Seven Seas Prestige.

For travellers seeking a Mediterranean voyage which combines cultural discovery, extraordinary scenery and the pleasures of travelling well, this may prove to be one of the most attractive voyages in Seven Seas Prestige’s inaugural Mediterranean seasons.

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Serenity Suite F1
Offering the same generous 41m² footprint together with an enhanced location aboard the ship, the Serenity Suite is likely to appeal to guests seeking additional convenience whilst enjoying all of Regent’s renowned inclusions.
Regent Best Available (BAR) Fare: £6,869 pp
CountryClubuk Member Fare: £5,799 pp
Member Saving: £1,070 pp

Concierge Suite E
At 45m², the Concierge Suite E represents one of the most attractive ways to experience Seven Seas Prestige, combining additional space with Regent’s complimentary pre-cruise luxury hotel programme and a range of enhanced benefits.
Regent Best Available (BAR) Fare: £7,279 pp
CountryClubuk Member Fare: £6,197 pp
Member Saving: £1,082 pp

Penthouse Suite B
Offering 57m² of beautifully designed accommodation together with personal butler service, the Penthouse Suite is likely to appeal to guests seeking an even more elevated Prestige experience, with enhanced suite privileges and attentive personalised service throughout the voyage.
Regent Best Available (BAR) Fare : £9,609 pp
CountryClubuk Member Fare: £8,097 pp
Member Saving: £1,512 pp

Horizon Penthouse Suite
One of the exciting new suite categories introduced aboard Seven Seas Prestige, the Horizon Penthouse Suite offers between 56m² and 67m² of luxurious accommodation together with personal butler service, generous indoor and outdoor living space and an exceptional vantage point from which to enjoy the ever-changing theatre of the sea.
Regent Best Available (BAR) Fare: £10,509 pp
CountryClubuk Member Fare: £8,799 pp
Member Saving: £1,710 pp

Additional suite categories are also available at advantageous CountryClubuk Member rates. Please contact us for the latest availability and your personal quotation. Comparisons are based on Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ prevailing Best Available Fare at the time of publication. Fares and availability are subject to change.

Those looking for a completely different Prestige experience may also enjoy our feature on Seven Seas Prestige from Southampton, visiting Bordeaux, Bilbao, Paris and Atlantic France.
Seven Seas Prestige from Southampton

CountryClubuk Members enjoy access to exclusive Members-only fares across the full Regent Seven Seas Cruises programme, including every Seven Seas Prestige sailing worldwide. If you are not yet a Member, we would be delighted to explain how membership works and the advantages enjoyed by our Members across Regent and many other luxury travel experiences.
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