12 Night Western Europe's Colourful Coasts cruise departing from Southampton to Rome onboard Crystal Symphony.

The 50,000-ton, 940-guest Crystal Symphony is one of the most spacious and luxurious cruise ships at sea. Onboard amenities include grand lounges, a full-service fitness facility, a Caesars Palace at Sea® casino, a lavish spa, expansive decks, two pools, award-winning cuisine and entertainment, in addition to exquisitely-appointed staterooms, more than half of which offer private verandahs.

From the moment you step into the brilliant atrium of Crystal Plaza, you'll sense the relaxed elegance and attention to detail called the Crystal Experience. It is as if a weight has lifted from your shoulders. You feel yourself at ease, with room to breathe, stretch and relax.

Take a look around at the lavish Crystal Dining Room with its vista of the sea; the elegant Galaxy Lounge showroom; sunlit Palm Court, furnished in charming white wicker like a scene from a Somerset Maughan novel. Along the marble walkway of the Avenue of the Stars, you'll find a glittering gallery of handsome shops. And outside, generous teak decks encircle expansive pools and Jacuzzis. No other ships of this size offer so much space for each guest on board.

The richness of each detail reflects the highest standards of craftsmanship. Lustrous polished marble, the glow of rare wood paneling, sparkling Murano Glass and Austrian crystal chandeliers, supple Italian leather, muted silks and custom English carpets grace our interiors, echoing the ambiance of a stately mansion. Refreshing floral bouquets delight your eye. Soft piano music plays somewhere nearby, mingled with sounds of laughter and delight as old friends meet and new acquaintances become friends.

Highlights of this cruise:

Wine, fashion, art...famed vintages of Bordeaux, boutiques in Monte Carlo, contemporary design in Bilbao and ancient collections in Barcelona, Florence and Rome.

Southampton, London
London's legendary sights, including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Parliament Square, Whitehall and the fashionable West End, provide memories to treasure during Crystal Symphony's visit to England. These alluring attractions lie just 90 minutes from historic Southampton, where we dock.

Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux was at one time France's richest community and largest port. It is second only to Paris as the country's most densely populated city. Today it is best-known for its glorious châteaux, mouth-watering cuisine and incomparable wines. It is surrounded by the world's most famous vineyards including Medoc, St-Emilion, Pomerol, Graves and Sauternes. Crystal Symphony's sojourn in this world-renowned wine capital is bound to please even the most discerning bon vivant.

Bilbao, Spain
Home of the newly-erected Guggenheim Museum, this bustling city epitomizes the merger of modernity and history. The gateway to the Cantabrico Sea from the plateau of Castilla, Bilbao has flourished from the middle ages as a busy port, and a major exporter of the metals found in surrounding areas. Today, the city flourishes with a vital exuberance, as modern architects erect new buildings next to 19th-century structures.

Lisbon, Portugal
Cosmopolitan Lisbon was the center of the world's last great colonial empire. Today the city nostalgically reveres its imperial past while adapting to Portugal's role as a member of the European Economic Community. Although located on the Atlantic coast, Lisbon has the soul of a Mediterranean city with Moorish castles, pastel and white buildings, orange-tiled roofs and luminous blue skies. Set amid the hills and valleys of the northern shore of the River Tagus, it is one of the loveliest capitals in the world.

Gibraltar, United Kingdom
Like a crouching lion, the Rock of Gibraltar's imposing presence supports the legend that it is one of the two Pillars of Hercules. Dramatically soaring to almost 1,400 feet, it boasts one of the world's most recognizable silhouettes. Over 140 caves have been discovered within its limestone mass. Although linked by land to Spain, the self-governing British colony of Gibraltar maintains a strong allegiance to Britain. Shop the compact commercial center for tax-free treats, or perch atop the summit for thrilling views encompassing Europe and Africa.

Cartagena, Spain
Thanks to its strategic position on the Mediterranean, Cartagena has long been one of the most important naval ports in Spain. Its maritime history can be appreciated with visits to the naval museum and naval buildings, including the Naval Headquarters, Dockyard Gate and Midshipman School.

Cartagena also boasts an interesting Roman history. The city's bullring sits atop a Roman amphitheater, and the Old Cathedral was built over the stalls of the Roman Theater. Discovered in 1987 and still being excavated, the theater dates to the first century BC.

While its landmarks from antiquity certainly are intriguing, Cartagena's lively streets and attractive squares reveal chapters from more recent centuries as well. The magnificent Concepcion Castle, perched above the city in Torres Park, dates to the 14th century. Even closer to present day are the early 19th-century modernist buildings lining Calle Mayor, and beautiful City Hall, which was built in 1907.

Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, is a celebration of history and heir to Greek, Phoenician, Roman, Carthaginian, Gothic and Arab cultural legacies. Since it is nearly as close to Rome, Geneva and Munich as it is to Madrid, Barcelona has long been the Spanish link to Western Europe. It was the home of Picasso, Miro, Dali, Casals and Gaudi and has been described as a Mediterranean Manhattan, a cosmopolitan experimental center for political ideas and artistic movements. In addition to its abundance of artistic and architectural treasures, Barcelona serves as the gateway to one of the world's most impressive mountainside enclaves at Montserrat. Discover the secret legends of the Black Virgin and the alluring chants of monastic life high atop the Catalonian plains. Barcelona's ancient city walls and the narrow crooked streets of the town's old section are laid out for your discovery. You will find that Barcelona has something for everybody.

Monte Carlo, Monaco
Monaco is an ancient principality steeped in rich and colorful history. Its proud monarchy is presided over by Prince Albert, who assumed the throne after his famed father Prince Rainier died in 2005.

Today when gazing on its modern skyline, it is hard to imagine that Monaco endured a turbulent past. Once a Greek settlement conquered by the Romans, it was bought from the Genoese in 1309 by the Grimaldis, who still rule as the world's oldest monarchy.

Monaco covers less than one square mile and is known primarily for its Grand Casino.

Florence/Livorno, Italy
Goethe once observed that Tuscany "looks like Italy should [look]." Fortunately, little has changed in the two centuries since the German poet was himself a tourist in Tuscany. The Tyrrhenian port of Livorno was founded in the 15th century. It is the gateway to Italy's Tuscan region and to many spectacular sights; including the extraordinary Leaning Tower of Pisa, the charming medieval village of Lucca, the lovely hill town of San Gimignano and the timeless city of Florence. No place is as imbued with such grace, dignity, serenity and history as is Florence. This city's wealth of architectural and artistic treasures includes works by Raphael, da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo. Truly Florence, cradle of the Italian Renaissance, is one of the world's most enticing cities.

Rome/Civitavecchia, Italy
Civitavecchia was founded by Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century. Today this port is noted for its fine seafood and attractive monuments. Located 90 minutes away is the Eternal City of Rome. Steeped in 2,500 years of history, Rome was for many centuries the center of Western civilization. It was both the focal point of the Roman Empire and of Christendom. Landmarks such as the Colosseum, Forum, Pantheon, Vatican, Sistine Chapel and Spanish Steps are reminders of the legacy of its rich past.