Want to see a third of Europe on one trip? This epic new cruise hits 17 countries
Looking for an easy way to hit the highlights of the Mediterranean in one big trip? For travelers with plenty of time (and money), there's an epic new option from Silversea.
The luxury cruise specialists on Tuesday opened bookings for a new, 59-night Grand Voyage Mediterranean itinerary that will include stops at 15 countries in Europe, plus two more in North Africa. The voyage will take place on Silversea's 382-passenger Silver Shadow.
It's a rare sort of voyage that will let you see everything from the iconic Basílica de la Sagrada Família in Barcelona and the Vatican in Rome to the Acropolis in Athens and the Blue Mosque of Istanbul without ever switching vessels or having to change hotel rooms.
Kicking off Sept. 8, 2021 in Venice, Italy, the sailing includes stops in Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria. And that's just in the first 24 days.
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The rest of the trip adds visits to Malta, Tunisia, Monaco, France, Spain, Morocco and Portugal.
Of course, the price is almost as epic as the itinerary, starting at $35,000 per person, not including taxes and fees. But that sort of pricing is par-for-the-course at Silversea, which is among the world's most upscale cruise lines.
Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed some of the countries mentioned above aren't in the Mediterranean. Though billed as a Mediterranean voyage, the trip includes a detour eastward through the Bosporus to the Black Sea for multiple stops. There's also a final leg west through the Strait of Gibraltar into the Atlantic Ocean for a visit to Casablanca, Morocco, and several stops in the Canary Islands. The trip ends Nov. 5, 2021 in Lisbon, Portugal.
In all, 45 port calls are on the schedule.
Travelers on this voyage will visit large, iconic European cities such as Rome (reached from the port at Civitavecchia, Italy) and cozy little towns like Portofino, Italy, and Korcula, Croatia.
Seven calls in Greece will include Corfu, Itea, Nafplion, Paros, Athens (via the port of Piraeus), Santorini and Rethymnon (on the island of Crete). In addition to Barcelona, nine stops in Spain will include Malaga, Cadiz, Valencia, Palma de Mallorca and four of the Canary Islands.
Highlights of the Black Sea detour will include Trabzon, Turkey; Batumi Georgia; Sochi, Russia; Odessa, Ukraine; Constanta, Romania; and Bourgas, Bulgaria.
Founded in 1994, Silversea is known for some of the most wide-ranging itineraries in the cruise business. Catering to a well-heeled crowd, it operates five traditional luxury ships, all relatively intimate and elegant (think: Four Seasons, but at sea). It also operates four hardier but no less stylish expedition-style vessels. Together, the nine ships call at more than 900 distinct destinations around the globe.
Related: How to plan a cruise with points and miles
Other epic voyages that Silversea has announced for 2021 include a 150-day, around-the-world cruise. Taking place on the 382-passenger Silver Whisper, it will feature stops at 54 ports in 34 countries. It begins Jan. 7, 2021 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Unveiled in 2000, Silver Shadow recently underwent a top-to-bottom refurbishment. As is typical for Silversea, it's an all-suite vessel with a mostly all-inclusive format. Premium wines and spirits, specialty coffees, bottled water, juices and soft drinks are included in the fare, as are amenities like onboard Wi-Fi.
Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises
Fares for the Grand Voyage Mediterranean also include round-trip economy class flights to reach the ship from select gateways and countries (passengers from excluded gateways will get a credit for airfare); a $1,000 per person onboard spending credit (to cover spa services, for example) and an overnight stay on land the night before the cruise begins.
Other perks included for those who book the sailing are complimentary luggage service, onboard laundry service and private transfers.
Silversea also is selling nine shorter segments of the trip as standalone cruises.
Would you ever book a cruise lasting more than a month? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Planning a cruise for 2020? Check out these articles:
- The 8 most exciting new cruise ships of 2020
- The 6 best cruise lines for solo travelers
- What to ask for when things go wrong on your cruise ship
- Cruise line showdown: Comparing Carnival, Disney and Royal Caribbean for families
- 5 cruise lines to try if you just can’t stand being around kids on vacation
Image of Silver Whisper courtesy of Silversea
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.