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A small cruise ship at anchor off Capri

Small ship cruises to Sicily and the Amalfi Coast

Our Italy cruises are small ship holidays in southern Italy: a Star Clippers tall ship, round trip from Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, to the Aeolian Islands, Sicily, the Amalfi Coast and Ponza, and the 72-guest yacht Variety Voyager from Naples to Malta by way of Capri, Lipari and Sicily. Two cruises with 7 or 10 nights on board, as a holiday with UK flights and hotel from £2,670 per person Flights & hotel included or from £1,922 cruise only.

Italy · Tall ship & yacht cruises

See Italy cruises Get a quote

  • ATOL protectedFlight-inclusive holidays
  • ABTOT memberHolidays without flights
  • Independent since 1995A family company
  • Rated Excellent647 Feefo reviews
Cruising Italy

Why choose a small ship cruise in Italy

Each Italy cruise we offer can be booked as a complete holiday, with return flights from the UK, transfers, the cruise and two nights in a hotel in Rome or Naples.

  • By tall ship from RomeA Star Clippers tall ship to the Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Sorrento and Ponza.
  • By yacht to MaltaVariety Voyager carries a maximum of 72 guests from Naples to Valletta.
  • Volcanoes and old harboursStromboli, Lipari, Taormina and Syracuse along the way.
Itineraries

Our Italy cruises

Two holidays in southern Italy: one under sail aboard a tall ship, one aboard a boutique yacht.

  • Aerial view of Isola Bella near Taormina, Sicily

    Tall shipStar Clippers

    Sicily & the Amalfi Coast

    Two nights in Rome, then seven nights from Civitavecchia to Lipari and Stromboli, Messina or Taormina, Amalfi, Sorrento and Ponza aboard a Star Clippers tall ship.

    10 days · Apr, May, Jul to Sep 2027

    From £2,887 ppFlights & hotel included
  • Aerial view of the ancient Greek theatre of Taormina above the sea, Sicily

    Boutique yachtVariety Voyager

    La Dolce Vita – Naples to Malta

    Seven nights aboard the 36-cabin Variety Voyager from Naples to Malta, by way of Capri, Lipari and Sicily, with two nights in Naples.

    10 days · June to August 2027

    From £2,670 ppFlights & hotel included
At a glance

Italy cruises compared

CruiseShipRouteHolidayDeparturesPrice per person
Sicily & the Amalfi CoastStar Clipper, four masts, 166 guests, on most 2027 departures; Royal Clipper, 227 guests, in 2028Round trip from Civitavecchia, the port for Rome, on one of three routes10 days: 2 nights in Rome, 7 on board. Sicily Unveiled: 13 days, 10 on boardApril, May and July to September 2027; April, August and September 2028From £2,887 Flights & hotel included Cruise only from £1,957
La Dolce Vita – Naples to MaltaVariety Voyager, 36 cabins, 72 guests at mostOne way, Naples to Valletta, Malta10 days: 2 nights in Naples, 7 on boardJuly 2027From £2,670 Flights & hotel included Cruise only from £1,922

Prices are per person sharing.

Prices, departure months and places last checked against each cruise page on .

Choose

Which Italy cruise is right for you?

Start from what matters most to you. Each card opens the cruise, with its price and departure months.

Islands and ports

Sicily, the Amalfi Coast or Malta: where each cruise goes

AreaPlaces on our routesCruises
RomeCivitavecchia, the port for Rome, with a hotel stay at Hotel Dei MelliniSicily & the Amalfi Coast
Aeolian IslandsLipari; Stromboli on the tall ship routesSicily & the Amalfi Coast, La Dolce Vita – Naples to Malta
SicilyMessina, Taormina, Catania, Syracuse, Palermo, Trapani, CefalùSicily & the Amalfi Coast, La Dolce Vita – Naples to Malta
Amalfi Coast and Bay of NaplesAmalfi, Sorrento, Capri, NaplesSicily & the Amalfi Coast, La Dolce Vita – Naples to Malta
Pontine Islands, Cilento and CalabriaPonza, Agropoli, Vibo MarinaSicily & the Amalfi Coast
MaltaGozo, VallettaLa Dolce Vita – Naples to Malta

Ports depend on the route and can change with the weather. See each cruise for its day-by-day route.

When to go

When to cruise Italy

Departure months in 2027 and 2028. Sicily & the Amalfi Coast has departures in April, May, July, August and September 2027, and in April, August and September 2028. La Dolce Vita – Naples to Malta sails in July 2027.

CruiseApr 27May 27Jun 27Jul 27Aug 27Sep 27Apr 28May 28Jun 28Jul 28Aug 28Sep 28
Sicily & the Amalfi Coast●●–●●●●–––●●
La Dolce Vita – Naples to Malta–––●––––––––

A dot marks a month with at least one departure, as a holiday with flights or as a cruise only.

Your holiday, your way

Four ways to book your Italy cruise

Take a complete holiday with flights and hotels, book the cruise on its own where available, or let us shape the trip around your dates.

  1. Cruise & Stay

    Return flights from the UK, transfers, the cruise and hotel nights before or after you sail, all arranged together and ATOL protected.

  2. Cruise Only

    On both Italy itineraries you can book the seven-night cruise on its own and make your own travel plans.

  3. Tailor-Made

    Add extra nights, upgrade your flights or combine your cruise with a stay elsewhere: the holiday is shaped around you.

  4. Expert Advice

    We know these ships and itineraries well, and can help you choose the right cruise, cabin and dates.

Get a quoteCall to discuss Italy
The ships

A tall ship and a yacht for your Italy cruise

Two very different ways to sail southern Italy, each small enough to feel personal.

A Star Clippers tall ship under full sail
Star Clippers · Tall ship

Star Clipper

A four-masted clipper with teak decks, two swimming pools and open-seating dining. Sails most 2027 departures of Sicily & the Amalfi Coast; Royal Clipper sails the 2028 departures.

  • Four masts
  • Two pools
  • Open-seating dining
See Sicily & the Amalfi Coast →
The boutique yacht Variety Voyager at sea
Variety Cruises · Official UK agent

Variety Voyager

A deluxe boutique yacht with 36 cabins and a maximum of 72 guests, sailing on a half-board basis. Sails La Dolce Vita – Naples to Malta.

  • 36 cabins
  • 72 guests max
  • Half board
See La Dolce Vita – Naples to Malta →
Why Italy

What makes an Italy cruise special

  • Stromboli rising from the sea in the Aeolian Islands
    Stromboli

    Volcanic Islands

    Lipari and the Aeolian Islands, born of volcanoes, and Mount Etna rising above the east coast of Sicily.

  • Baroque architecture in the historic centre of Syracuse, Sicily
    Syracuse

    Layers of History

    Greek temples in Sicily, Baroque Syracuse and Valletta, the fortified city of the Knights of Malta.

  • Houses on the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast
    Amalfi

    The Amalfi Coast

    Cliff-top villages, lemon groves and views from Sorrento across the Bay of Naples.

  • The harbour of Lipari in the Aeolian Islands
    Lipari

    Food & Wine

    Fresh seafood, Sicilian pastries and southern Italian wines, enjoyed in harbourside trattorias.

Why book with Seafarer

Small ship cruise specialists since 1995

For three decades we have arranged small ship cruises and the flights, hotels and transfers that go with them.

  • Three Decades of Experience

    Trading since 1995, with first-hand knowledge of our ships, itineraries and destinations.

  • Complete Holiday Packages

    Cruise, flights, hotels and transfers arranged together, around your dates.

  • Small Ships, Closer Access

    Islands, coves and harbours that large cruise ships cannot reach.

  • Independent & Family-Run

    A family company, independent since 1995.

  • UK Agent for Variety Cruises

    Official UK General Sales Agent for Variety Cruises boutique yacht cruises.

  • ATOL & ABTOT Protected

    Full financial protection on every booking, with or without flights.

Good to know

Italy cruises: FAQs

Straight answers to the questions we are asked most.

Still have a question?

Speak to our cruise team, or tell us what you have in mind and ask for a quote.

020 8324 3117 Get a quote

When is the best time for an Italy cruise?

Our Italy cruises have departures in April, May, July, August and September 2027, and in April, August and September 2028. May and September bring warm days without the peak summer heat, while June to August is the hottest and sunniest time, ideal for swimming.

Which ship will I sail on?

Sicily & the Amalfi Coast sails aboard Star Clipper on most 2027 departures and aboard Royal Clipper in 2028. La Dolce Vita – Naples to Malta sails aboard the boutique yacht Variety Voyager.

Are flights and hotels included?

Yes. Both holidays include return flights from the UK, transfers and two nights in a hotel: in Rome with the tall ship cruise, and in Naples with Variety Voyager. Both cruises can also be booked as cruise only.

Are meals included on board?

Yes: full board on the Star Clippers tall ships and half board on Variety Voyager.

How much does an Italy cruise cost?

Our 10-day Italy cruise holidays with flights from the UK start from £2,670 per person sharing Flights & hotel included, and 8-day cruise-only fares from £1,922 per person. The price depends on the ship, cabin and departure date, and each cruise page shows its live prices and special offers.

Which Italy cruise should I choose?

For the romance of a tall ship, choose the Star Clippers cruise from Rome. For a smaller yacht from Naples to Malta, by way of Capri and Sicily, choose La Dolce Vita – Naples to Malta. Our team is happy to help you decide.

Can you tailor-make my Italy holiday?

Yes. We can add extra nights in Rome, Naples or Malta, arrange different flights or combine your cruise with a stay elsewhere in Italy.

Speak to a specialist

Plan your Italy cruise

Tell us when you would like to travel and which cruise appeals, and we will check availability and put your holiday together.

Get a quoteCall 020 8324 3117
Call our cruise team020 8324 3117
More small ship cruises

Other cruise destinations

Peace of mind

Book your Italy cruise with confidence

Seafarer is licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL 9511) and all air holidays we operate are ATOL protected. We are also members of ABTOT (Membership No. 5660), providing additional protection for bookings without flights.

We have been trading since 1995 — all your deposits and balance payments to us are fully financially secure.

ATOL protected
ATOL protected: licence 9511All flight-inclusive holidays are fully ATOL protected
ABTOT member 5660
ABTOT member: No. 5660Financial protection for bookings without flights
Guest reviews

Rated Excellent by our cruise guests

4.6 out of 5 from 647 independent reviews collected by Feefo (10 November 2026).

Excellent

4.6out of 5

Based on 647 guest reviews of our service on Feefo

Feefo Platinum Trusted Service AwardFour years in a row

About booking with Seafarer

“Suzie was excellent in helping me organise my cruise, lots of helpful tips and when I had some concerns, she was there with alternatives…”

Claire S, Manchester · Verified Feefo review

“Seafarer were excellent at all stages… When there were floods in Dubai leading to cancellation of flights Seafarer were able to re- book for the following week with no extra charges. I would not hesitate to book via Seafarer again.”

Verified Feefo customer · Verified Feefo review

“Quick, personalised and professional service! Highly recommended, and the additional ATOL protection provided at very little extra cost has been very welcome!”

Verified Feefo customer · Verified Feefo review

“I have booked more than 10 trips through Seafarer… It is like dealing with a friend or family member. Best travel agent ever! I would never want to go anywhere else.”

Thomas Paul Larkin, Glasgow, Scotland · Verified Feefo review

From our blog

Read more before you go