Get all your information on Olivia's Spain, France & Italy Luxury Cruise.
About Our Destination
Climate
March typically presents mild and pleasant weather, making it an ideal time to explore these iconic cities. Barcelona temperatures range from 46°F to 64°F, with sunny days and cool evenings. Nice and Monte Carlo will often offer temperatures between 48°F to 66°F, perfect for enjoying the scenic coastline.
Genoa and Livorno typically have slightly cooler weather, with temperatures between 45°F to 59°F, providing a comfortable climate for sightseeing although layers are recommended.
Inland in Pisa and Florence, temperatures range from 43°F to 61°F, with a mix of sunny days and occasional spring showers. Finally, Rome will offer a pleasant climate with temperatures from 46°F to 63°F, allowing for comfortable exploration of the city's historic and cultural landmarks.
Overall, the weather in March is typically a mix of cool mornings and pleasantly warm afternoons, perfect for enjoying some of Europe’s most iconic destinations during a time with less tourists. Check www.weather.com for the most current weather.
Currency
The official currency of Spain, France and Italy is the Euro. Check www.xe.com for current rates.
Languages
As popular international tourist destinations, you’ll find that these cities have many restaurants, bars, and hotels with English-speaking staff.
Barcelona, Spain: Though Spanish is the official language of Spain, both Spanish and Catalan are spoken in Barcelona, with Catalan taking precedence in many situations and everyday life, as it is the native language of the place.
Nice, France / Monte Carlo, Monaco: Since 1860, French has been the official language of Nice. The ancient language of Nice is Nissart, and you may see some bilingual street signs in the city. However, very few people speak Nissart these days. Much like Nice, the official language of Monaco is French with Monégasque, a variety of Ligurian, being the national language of the Monégasque people. However, it is the primary language of very few people.
Pisa, Italy / Florence, Italy / Genoa, Italy / Livorno, Italy / Rome, Italy: The official language spoken in Pisa, Florence, Genoa, and Livorno is Italian. Italian is the official language of Italy, and it's the primary language used in government, education, and daily communication throughout the country. While regional dialects may be spoken in these areas, especially among older generations, standard Italian is universally understood and used.
Activity Level
Activity Level
The trip requires good to moderate mobility, as many of the ports of call offer excursions with a lot of walking over uneven surfaces such as cobblestones, rocky paths up and down hills and stairs. There are elevators on board the ship. If applicable, in anchored ports of call, you will be required to go up and down stairs to reach the tender boat platform to disembark the ship. If you have limited mobility, you are required to travel with someone who can assist you.
Before Your Trip
Cancellation Policy
Unexpected events can cause you to cancel your vacation. Because we are committed to this charter, we must strictly adhere to our cancellation policy as outlined in our Olivia Terms & Conditions.
Transfer funds are nonrefundable and nontransferable from the point of sale forward.
Celebrations — Birthdays, Anniversaries, Honeymoons, and more
If you will have a birthday or celebration during your vacation and have not already informed your Olivia Travel Consultant, please let us know as soon as possible, but no less than 90 days prior to the trip.
You can register at Olivia Honeymoon Wishes for your honeymoon, anniversary, or other special celebration; browse through the selections and let your friends know just how easy it is for them to purchase a gift for you.
Connect with Other Guests — Join the Facebook Group
If you'd like to chat with people who are going on the trip, join 2026 Spain, France & Italy Luxury Cruise Facebook Group.
Passport and Visa
You will need a passport that is valid for six months past the date of the trip. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check with both your country’s consulate and the consulates of the countries we will be visiting to make sure that you do not need an entry visa or other additional documentation. U.S. citizens DO NOT need to get a visa ahead of time.
U.S. citizens do NOT need to get a visa ahead of time. If you are not from the U.S., please check with your consulate for proper Visa requirements.
IMPORTANT: The European Union is introducing the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) sometime in mid-2025. ETIAS is designed as an entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals traveling from 60 countries, including the United States and Canada. This system is being implemented to enhance security and streamline the entry process for travelers visiting the European Union.
Starting mid-2025, if you are planning to visit one of the 30 EU countries for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, you will be required to complete a digital application through the official ETIAS website or mobile application. This requirement will apply to travelers who do not currently need a visa for entry into these countries. While this might be an additional step in your travel preparations, it is designed to improve your overall experience by reducing waiting times and enhancing security measures. You can fill out your applications HERE once the ETIAS site goes live. Please be aware that most ETIAS applications will incur a processing fee of 7 Euros. It is free for people over the age of 70. These ETIAS are good for up to 3 years with unlimited entries.
Specific Needs—Dietary, Medical, and Mobility
If you have any medical, mobility needs, or specific dietary requirements that you have not already advised your travel consultant, please advise us of this information as soon as possible but no less than 90 days prior to the trip.
Travel Insurance
Olivia recommends that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and your trip investment against the unexpected. Visit our Insurance page olivia.com/travel-insurance for more information.
For a travel insurance quote, more information, or to purchase a protection plan, please call Olivia at 800-631-6277 and select option 1 for a travel consultant.
Vacation Stretchers
We will offer a pre-cruise vacation stretcher in Barcelona and a post-cruise vacation stretcher in Rome. Please check our Vacation Stretchers tab for more information, available approximately 9 months prior to sailing.
Vaccinations
Please check with your local Public Health Department or personal physician regarding immunization requirements for all countries on your itinerary. You may also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at: www.cdc.gov. Just click on “Traveler’s Health” followed by “Vaccinations.”
Windstar FAQs
Click here to view some frequently asked questions about Windstar and what to expect on your cruise.
2026 SPAIN, FRANCE & ITALY LUXURY CRUISE |
START DATE | END DATE | FEE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancellation 365 days or more prior to trip date | 3/8/2025 | 50% of trip cost | |
| Cancellation 0-364 days prior to trip date | 3/9/2025 | 3/8/2026 | 100% of trip cost (no refund) |
Travel & Arrival
Air Travel
Airports
You will need to fly into Barcelona (BCN) and out Rome (FCO). We encourage all guests to arrive at least one day early to avoid the stress of unexpected delays.
Airfare Discounts
Save up to 15% on your airfare through our partner airlines. Please visit our airfare discount page for the most up-to-date information.
Flight Arrival and Departure Times
Due to the first day of the cruise being docked in Barcelona overnight, arrival times are flexible. Embarkation begins at 1 pm. Your outbound flights out of Rome should be booked no earlier than 12 pm.
Luggage Allowances
While there is no luggage limit on the cruise itself, airlines often restrict (or charge) for excess baggage. Because each airline is different, and the regulations change over time, please check with your airline for baggage allowances.
Transfers to the Ship
Your transfer from BCN airport to the ship and to FCO airport from the ship is not included. More information about purchasing a transfer will be included in the Cruise Guide, which will be available approximately 30 days prior to sailing. The cruise ship is approximately 30 minutes by car and 90 minutes by public transit from the BCN airport in Barcelona. The FCO airport in Rome is approximately 60-90 minutes from the cruise ship.
During your trip
Alcohol on Board
Guests are allowed to bring aboard two (2) bottles of wine or champagne per cabin. If consumed in public areas, there is a small corkage fee (approximately $15 USD + 18% gratuity). All additional alcohol (wine, beer, and/or hard alcohol) including alcohol purchased at ports of call, will be kept by ship’s staff and delivered to your cabin the last evening of the cruise.
Electricity
All staterooms are equipped with 110- and 220-volt electricity. These outlets are provided beside the dressing table mirror in your stateroom.
Excursions
Excursions may be booked online beginning 30 days prior to departure. To facilitate the online booking process, you will be assigned a booking number and sent detailed information regarding shore excursions, transfers and activities—and how to book them—approximately four weeks prior to the trip.
Gratuities
Gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise. Gratuities are provided for your cabin steward, dining room steward, bus person, maître d’, and other-behind-the-scenes crew members. Tips to your local guides on excursions are not included and are recommended.
Below is a suggested guideline per person:
Local guide: half day—$5 / full day—$10
Bus driver: half day—$2-$4 / full day—$4-$6
Internet and Email
Wifi plans are available onboard for your laptop or mobile devices. Pricing will be posted on board.
Laundry Services
Laundry and pressing service is available onboard. Dry cleaning is not available. Check onboard for pricing.
Medical Services
There is an onboard infirmary. Medical services entail an additional fee.
Money: On-Board Purchases
All purchases made on the ship will be charged to your onboard account, which you create when you first check in. All charges will be billed in US dollars. Please check with the front office onboard for further details.
Phone
Each cabin has a phone which you may use to call cabin-to-cabin, and to the various onboard facilities. There is an additional fee to use this phone to call outside of the ship; cost is available on board. We recommend using WhatsApp or FaceTime to make phone calls via wifi.
Smoking Policy
All indoor areas onboard, including cabins and verandas, are non-smoking, including vaping. Outdoor public smoking areas will be posted.
Solos
Traveling solo? Be sure to attend the Solos Welcome on the first day. Here you will meet your Olivia Solos Coordinators who will share your Solos program for the week. We plan activities for our Solo travelers, including special designated Solos excursions in each port of call. In addition, we organize a special Solos dining area for all meals and reserve a section for the nightly shows. Before the trip, you can start to meet other solo travelers online by joining Olivia's 2026 Spain, France & Italy Luxury Cruise Facebook Group.
Spa Services
The onboard spa offers facials, massages, and many other services for an additional fee.
Below is a suggested guideline per person:
Local guide: half day—$5 / full day—$10
Bus driver: half day—$2-$4 / full day—$4-$6
After Your Trip
Disembarkation
Disembarkation will begin once the ship has cleared customs at approximately 8 am.
Transfers to the Airport
You will be able to purchase a transfer to the airport for flights departing after 12 pm on March 15, 2026. Transfer time is approximately 60–90 minutes.
Vacation Stretchers
We will offer a pre-cruise vacation stretcher in Barcelona and a post-cruise vacation stretcher in Rome. Please check our Vacation Stretchers tab for more information, available approximately 9 months prior to sailing.
The trip requires good to moderate mobility, as many of the ports of call offer excursions with a lot of walking over uneven surfaces such as cobblestones, rocky paths up and down hills and stairs. There are elevators on board the ship. If applicable, in anchored ports of call, you will be required to go up and down stairs to reach the tender boat platform to disembark the ship. If you have limited mobility, you are required to travel with someone who can assist you.
Our Travel Consultants can be reached at USA or Canada: 800.631.6277 or International 415.962.5700, option 1.
