Our 5-star fleet offers an authentic sailing experience to make your journey unforgettable. While onboard, indulge in a relaxing massage at the spa, or try hot-rock cooking at the onboard restaurant. Then, disembark for an eye-opening visit to a local winery or a walking tour of some of the world’s most iconic cities and undiscovered gems. All the while, enjoy these world-class ship amenities:

• 77 cabins, including a landmark 15 solo cabins, most of which have full walk-out balconies, for the most flexible style of travel — plus, suites designed for comfortable triple-occupancy as well as adjoining room options
• A culinary program offering gourmet dining incorporating regional fare, with wine and beer included at dinner
• Spa, massage, and hair services available at the onboard spa
• Sauna
• Two hot tubs
• Fitness center
• Curated lectures, programs, musical performances, and cultural events
• Low passenger-to-crew ratio, plus onboard Destination Manager
• Knowledgeable staff by region
• Onboard medical doctor (travelers are responsible for medical fees associated with doctor visit and medications)
• Gift Shop
• Library with over 200 titles
• Separate, intimate dining space for groups or special events (available upon request)
• Complimentary unlimited WiFi (WiFi on certain segments of trips may not be available)
• Entertainment programming with 100 movie titles
• Environmentally friendly standards with reduced emissions into air and sea and lower energy consumption
• Dynamic positioning technology
• State-of-the-art safety technology, Polar Code 6 compliant, and fully compliant with the latest SOLAS requirements in expedition cruising
• Rolls-Royce stabilizer system; “Safe Return to Port” technology

• Enjoy a wine tasting at a private Sicilian winery in Erice
• In Taormina, choose the Mount Etna tour for a winery visit and tasting
• Enjoy opportunities to dine on your own and discover regional wines
• Enjoy a selection hand-picked local wines aboard the 5-star Ocean Odyssey, with the presence of a sommelier to inform your tastings
• In Sardinia, you may choose to visit famous Surrau Winery
• From Bastia, head to the Patrimonio wine region and enjoy a tasting at local winery
• You may choose to visit Siena and San Gimignano while docked in Livorno, which includes a visit to a local winery, lunch, and a tasting
• While docked in Sete, you may choose to embark on a half-day tour of Montpellier and Chateau de Flaugergues, which holds centuries of wine-making tradition

• Discover Erice’s “salt road”
• Circumnavigate Sicily and learn about the unique culture and cuisine of this fascinating island
• Discover the unique trulli homes in the town of Alberobello, localed in Italy’s Puglia region
• Enjoy nights of local onboard entertainment
• Participate in onboard lectures, designed to bring you closer to the history, culture, and cuisine of your destinations
• See the exterior of La Sagrada Família, a Roman Catholic minor basilica and masterpiece of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí. You may also choose to tour the inside
• Enjoy your choice of tours: Florence and Pisa—including highlights such as the domed cathedral of Piazza del Duomo and Piazza del Signoria, OR Siena and Sam Gimignano, with morning sightseeing in Siena and lunch with a wine tasting in local estate
• Visit elegant Cannes, home of France’s world-famous film festival, and enjoy a tour of its highlights including a visit to the Grasse Perfume Factory and artistic St. Paul de Vence
• Tour Tempio Pausania, the ancient capital of the Sardinia region, and discover historic churches, houses, and mansions before stopping to visit the cork museum
• Stop in at Villa San Martino, Napoleon’s summer residence on Elba Island

• Enjoy lunch at a local masseria (country estate) in Puglia
• Granita or wine tasting (depending on choice of tour) in Taormina
• Wine tasting at a private Sicilian winery
• Home-hosted lunch with pizza-making demonstration at a local farm outside Pompeii
• Purchase Mediterranean Sea salt in the town of Erice, and see how it’s made
• Enjoy opportunities to dine on your own throughout your journey
• Enjoy regionally inspired cuisine crafted by expert chefs every day of your cruise aboard the 5-star Ocean Odyssey
• Choose to a locally owned farm and vineyard in Siena, where you’ll be welcomed by the owner and enjoy a farm-to-table lunch complete with a tasting of their wines and olive oils. Or, choose to savor traditional Florentine cuisine at a local restaurant
• Enjoy a traditional lunch at a local restaurant after exploring the villages of Cinque Terre
• Have lunch at a local restaurant on your full day tour from Cannes to Grasse
• Enjoy a traditional Spanish Lunch in a local restaurant in Barcelona
• Try Roman specialties at a local restaurant during an included lunch in Rome

• Visit 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Rome, Pompeii, Aeolian Islands, Valletta, Syracuse, Etna (choice of tours), Alberobello, Diocletian’s Palace, Historic Defensive Walls of Zadar, Venice, Siena & San Gimignano OR Florence & Pisa, Portovenere, Cinque Terre, Carcassonne, and the Barcelona UNESCO - Works of Antoni Gaudi
• Spend two nights in UNESCO-listed Venice and see its iconic landmarks, including St. Mark’s Basilica
• Step inside the trulli homes in UNESCO-listed Alberobello
• Circumnavigate Sicily and visit three of its most interesting coastal towns
• Uncover Maltese history in its historic capital, Valletta, and in a 5D movie experience
• Tour the ruins of ancient Pompeii
• Explore the UNESCO-listed Diocletian’s Palace while taking in Split’s spectacular seaside beauty
• Visit Monte Carlo and see the glittering Royal Palace and the burial site of Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco
• Admire the UNESCO-designated architecture of visionary Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona
• Stop in at Villa San Martino, Napoleon’s summer residence on Elba Island
• Tour Tempio Pausania, the ancient capital of the Sardinia region, and discover historic churches, houses, and mansions
• Enjoy four onboard lectures that will illuminate the past and present of southern Europe
• You may choose to explore Carcassonne, the largest and best preserved fortified medieval town in Europe

• Take in views of Croatia’s Dalmatian Islands as you cruise along through the Northern Adriatic Sea
• Enjoy lunch in a masseria (country estate) in Puglia
• Discover different wine varietals and the unique soul and climate that helps them flourish
• Find out how Mediterranean sea salt is made along the salt road in Erice
• Explore the Aeolian Islands
• Visit several volcanic sites, including Aeolian Islands, Etna and Pompeii
• Take in the beauty of Cinque Terre on a boat tour
• Choose between two tours of breathtaking natural scenery: In Provence, a hike to the red cliffs and ochre quarries of Roussillon, or a half-day safari through Camargue National Park
• Take the opportunity to admire Bastia’s breathtaking landscapes and small, baroque-style buildings and chapels
• Enjoy a scenic drive along the scenic St. Florent gulf past rolling vineyards en route to the St. Florent city center
• Enjoy scenic views of the Tuscan countryside on your choice of tours from Livorno
• Enjoy a comprehensive view of the beauty of Provence on full-day tour from Cannes to St. Paul de Vence
• See some of the world’s oldest olive trees in Old Sardinia, or learn about winemaking process in Porto Cervo

The magnificent Mediterranean is a wonder for the senses, from its sprawling sea- and landscapes to those ancient Roman landmarks. Here are a few tips to help you capture beautiful and memorable pictures:

• Take your time to capture an image. Think like a photographer and slow down to compose your shot. Remember: tourists take pictures, while photographers make images
• From the Colosseum in Rome to the vast landscapes on the coastline, you’ll encounter large landmarks on this trip, which might create pressure to fit everything into one shot. Instead, try focusing on a distinctive feature rather than trying to incorporate everything into frame
• Incorporate your surroundings. Don’t try to edge out other tourists from your photos, but use them to enhance the scene. Try tilting the camera at your target, including tourists and the real scene in the background or forefront, and the image instantly is more intriguing than a generic snapshot
• Pursue quirky composition — shooting off-center makes for a more artsy, unique shot

On this small ship ocean cruise, independent travelers will enjoy solo-friendly features, such as:

• Onboard Concierge services to personalize your expedition
• Water-sport opportunities, depending on the location
• A lively social media night and musical performances most nights
• Solo-friendly social activities, including a Solo Connection mixer
• Onboard entertainment, lectures, and cooking demonstrations
• Health and wellness options, including onboard spa, jacuzzis, and a gym

Prior to your expedition cruise, our complimentary Concierge service will be available to help you customize your journey. Here are just a few services your Concierge can provide:

• Do you have a special birthday, anniversary, family reunion or other important event you want to celebrate on board? Let your Concierge know and he or she can make all the special arrangements, whether it’s a private reception in your suite, a gathering in the lounge, and more
• Restaurant reservations. Just notify your Concierge of your interests, and he or she will be happy to make recommendations, and will call ahead to reserve your table
• Special excursions. Would you like a limo to take you for a special night in the city? Perhaps you’d like to look up long-lost relatives. Your Concierge is here to help!
• Extend your stay! Your Concierge can help modify your hotel reservations and flights if you decide to stay on
• Tickets to local concerts, exhibits, theater, sporting events, and more

Take advantage of this free, start-to-finish service by making your requests prior to your journey or during your journey. We are one of the only companies to offer this level of service! Call 8-888-888-8888 or email Concierge@vantagetravel.com to speak to a Concierge today, or simply log into My Portfolio up to two weeks prior to departure.

During your journey, your onboard Destination Manager can assist with any special requests such as spa reservations, hotel reservations, and more.