Best Of Portugal & Morocco 9 Nights • Barcelona, Spain to Lisbon, Portugal • Mariner of the Seas

A cruise from Barcelona is one of the best ways to experience all the brightest jewels of the Mediterranean — but it’s also a great opportunity to spend some time discovering one of the coolest cultural hubs in western Europe. This lively seaside city checks all the boxes — history, culture, amazing food, a thriving art scene and so much more. When you visit Barcelona, you can start every day with a steamy cortado in a charming sidewalk café. After that, the options for adventure are endless. Swim with sharks at Aquarium de Barcelona, one of the largest aquariums in Europe. Check out ancient Roman relics at the Barcelona City History Museum, located in the vibrant Gothic Quarter. Make a reservation to see a sultry flamenco show. And when hunger hits, head to Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, a pilgrimage site for foodies. It was a covered market back in the 1200s. Now it’s one of the top food markets in the world and a must-visit stop before your cruise out of Barcelona.

Spend the day exploring Tangier, Morocco, before you set sail on your epic cruise. Begin at the iconic Kasbah, a hilltop fortress offering sweeping panoramas of the Mediterranean, or explore the Medina, a maze of bustling souks filled with spices, textiles, and handmade treasures. In this awe-inspiring city, continents meet and cultures blend in spectacular fashion. And it’s easily accessible, and the Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport is only a short drive away. A cruise to Tangier delivers an unforgettable blend of history, culture, and coastal beauty, leaving travelers with memories to last a lifetime.

As you depart the ship, you'll become aware of the hubbub: Casablanca is bustling, especially in the port. Head away from that area and into the city center, where you'll find tall Moorish buildings, like the Hassan II Mosque, or Art Deco landmarks, like the Sacré-Coeur Cathedral. From there, walk to where you can enjoy a snack or beverage in Place des Nations Unies — a bustling square filled with restaurants. Not sure what to indulge in? Seafood pastilla and snail soup are not to be missed. After you've filled up, it's time to try your hand at haggling in the souks. Watch the locals at Maarif Market strike bargains over fresh flowers, olives and spices before trying it yourself.

Portugal's Madeira island is a natural paradise. The lush mountains, brilliant flower gardens and jagged cliffs offer the perfect backdrop for an adventure-filled holiday. Break a sweat hiking one of the levandas, or cool off with a dip in the crystal-clear blue waters. Or indulge in some local cuisine, like grilled mussels or espetada, Madeira's answer to the grilled beef kebab.

Porto is a city that offers so much history and architecture to explore. Enter the Palacio da Bolsa to appreciate the decorative carvings and the traditional tile work. And if you've got your architecture fix taken care of then venture out to Foz do Douro, a trendy district that offers views of where the river enters the ocean and take it all in.

Lisbon is a quintessential European city, full of natural beauty, historic architecture and culinary pleasures — not to mention one of the best climates anywhere on the planet. To get to know Portugal's capital, walk between the captivating miradouros — terrace viewpoints that are scattered on the hilltops, offering stunning vistas from the sea to the castles and beyond. Watch as the light peeks through the clouds and shines down on The City of Seven Hills during your cruise to Lisbon. If you're a history buff, head to Belem or nearby Sintra to explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Jeronimos Monastery and Quinta da Regalaira.