In short
Genoa is a major cruise port in northern Italy: the Stazione Marittima terminals are a six-minute walk from Piazza Principe station. There is a direct flight from Amsterdam, but many people fly to Milan and take the train, about an hour and a half. Ships sail all year, most often in October, usually for 7 nights.
Port at a glance
Genoa
Italy
- Where ships go
- Western Mediterranean
- Usual length
- 6–9 nights
- Terminal
- Stazione Marittima: Ponte dei Mille and Ponte Andrea Doria
- Getting there
- Fly to Genoa or Milan; Milan to Genoa about 1.5 hours by train
Good to know: some northern Italian cruises board not in Genoa but in nearby Savona, about 50 km to the west — check the port on your booking.
Pick a month in the cruise finder →Why Genoa
- A terminal in the city. From Piazza Principe station to the cruise terminals is about a six-minute walk, and the old town and the Old Port are 15–20 minutes away.
- A season all year round. Week-long cruises leave even in winter, run steadily from spring to autumn, and peak in October.
- Easy via Milan. Milan's airports have flights from Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Brussels, and the train to Genoa takes about an hour and a half.
- An underrated city. One of Europe's largest historic centres, UNESCO-listed palaces on Via Garibaldi, a famous aquarium, and focaccia and pesto where they were invented.
Where cruises from Genoa go
Schedules change every year, but the pattern is fairly stable. These are the main options:
| Route | Typical length | When | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Mediterranean | 7 nights | All year, busiest in October | Genoa's signature route: Marseille, Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples, Sicily, Malta, the Balearic Islands |
| Longer Mediterranean cruises | 10–14 nights | April to September, occasionally | More ports and sea days; now and then, mostly in spring, with calls in Greece or Turkey |
| Atlantic crossings | 15 nights or longer | October and November | One-way to the Caribbean or South America; you fly home |
| Short cruises | 2–5 nights | March, October and November | A taster cruise or a ship moving to a nearby port — good for a long weekend |
Based on cruise line schedules for 2026–2027. Ships, ports and dates change; always check the specific sailing.
Which season to choose
Spring on the Riviera
15–22°C by day, gardens in bloom and quiet ports. From April there are noticeably more departures, including some longer cruises.
Cruises in April →Summer and a warm sea
Week-long cruises leave steadily, every week. Hot and humid, and July and August mean school holidays and busy excursions.
Cruises in July →Autumn and the ocean
October is Genoa's busiest month for departures: the sea is still warm and the heat has gone. Atlantic crossings leave in October and November too.
Cruises in October →Quiet winter
Fewer sailings, but week-long cruises carry on. Around 10–13°C by day with some rain — weather for towns and museums rather than the beach.
Cruises in December →Getting to the terminal
Genoa's cruise terminals, the Stazione Marittima, are in the old passenger port between Piazza Principe station and the Old Port (Porto Antico). Ships berth at two piers, Ponte dei Mille and Ponte Andrea Doria, linked by a waterfront promenade. Ferries to Sardinia, Corsica and Sicily leave from their own terminal next door, so do not mix them up. Your boarding documents show which pier is yours.
- Flying to Genoa. There is a direct flight from Amsterdam, about two hours. Cristoforo Colombo airport is small and sits by the sea, about 6 km from the terminals: 15–20 minutes by taxi, or the Volabus to Piazza Principe station.
- Via Milan. There are many more flights to Milan — Malpensa, Linate and Bergamo are served from Amsterdam, Eindhoven and Brussels. From Milano Centrale the train to Genoa takes about 1.5 to 2 hours; from Malpensa add about 50 minutes on the airport express. Allow half a day for the whole journey.
- By train from the Netherlands or Belgium. Possible, but long: with changes via Switzerland or Paris it takes more than 12 hours. Worth it if you want the journey to be part of the holiday, with a night in Milan.
- On foot from the station. From Piazza Principe to the terminals is about 400 m — around six minutes along a pedestrian walkway. With heavy luggage or in the rain, a short taxi ride is easier.
- By car. Leave the motorway at Genova Ovest and follow the signs for "Terminal Crociere". There are covered car parks for cruise passengers near the port; booking ahead is wise.
The night before: where to stay
Flying via Milan on embarkation day turns every delayed flight or train into stress. A night in Genoa means you can walk to the ship in the morning, or take a ten-minute taxi.
Principe and Via Balbi
The station, the Royal Palace and the old university palazzi. The terminals are a 5–10-minute walk away.
The Old Port
The aquarium, waterfront promenades and restaurants with harbour views. About 20 minutes on foot or 10 by taxi to the terminals.
The old town
Narrow lanes called caruggi, focaccia bakeries and little squares. Cars cannot reach the door, and some lanes go quiet at night — pick a hotel on a lively street.
De Ferrari and Brignole
The main square, the Via XX Settembre shopping street and the city's second station. 10–15 minutes by taxi to the port.
If you have half a day in Genoa
Everything below is close to the terminals, so it fits before boarding or after you disembark:
- Galata Maritime Museum. The largest maritime museum in the Mediterranean, ten minutes' walk from the terminals by the old Darsena dock.
- The Genoa Aquarium. One of the largest in Europe, at the Old Port. Expect queues at weekends and in summer, so book tickets ahead.
- Via Garibaldi. Sixteenth-century palaces of Genoa's nobility, part of the UNESCO-listed Palazzi dei Rolli. Palazzo Rosso and Palazzo Bianco house art galleries.
- San Lorenzo Cathedral and Piazza De Ferrari. The striped cathedral and the main square with its big fountain — through the old town, about 20 minutes from the port.
- Spianata Castelletto. A historic lift from Piazza Portello takes you up to a terrace with views over the whole city, the port and the ships at the quay.
The day you come back
Ships usually dock early in the morning, and guests leave in groups until around 9 or 10 a.m. Genoa's big advantage is the station next door: you can walk there and catch a train to Milan. But if you are flying from Malpensa, avoid flights before mid-afternoon: the train and the airport express take around three hours, and Italian trains do run late sometimes. If your flight is in the evening, leave your bags at a luggage storage and explore the old town.
Practical tips
- Genoa or Savona? Both are in Liguria and close together, but they are different ports. Check exactly where you board before booking a hotel or train.
- Transport strikes. Italian rail and airport staff strike from time to time, usually with a few days' notice. Check the news before you travel and have a plan B.
- One ship, several boarding ports. Guests join the same ship in Genoa, Marseille, Barcelona or Civitavecchia. When you compare sailings, look at the boarding port too.
- Tourist tax. Genoa hotels charge a city tax per night, paid separately from your booking.
- ID for everyone. Italy, France, Spain and Malta are in Schengen, but some routes leave the EU. If you do not hold a European passport, check entry rules for every country on the route in good time — what to check.
Or start in Marseille?
Many ships that leave Genoa also call at Marseille. A direct high-speed train runs there from Brussels, and there are direct flights from Amsterdam and Brussels. If France is easier for you to reach, take a look. Cruises from Marseille →
Common questions
Which cruises leave from Genoa?
Mostly week-long Western Mediterranean cruises with calls in France, Spain, southern Italy and Malta. From April to September there are occasional 10–14-night voyages, and in October and November one-way Atlantic crossings.
Which terminal does my ship leave from in Genoa?
Cruise ships berth at the Stazione Marittima terminals, at the Ponte dei Mille and Ponte Andrea Doria piers, next to Piazza Principe station. Your boarding documents show the exact pier.
How do I get to Genoa from the Netherlands or Belgium?
There is a direct flight from Amsterdam to Genoa. More often people fly to Milan — Malpensa, Linate or Bergamo — and take the train to Piazza Principe station, about 1.5 to 2 hours from Milano Centrale.
Can I walk to the terminal from the station?
Yes. Piazza Principe station is about 400 metres from the terminals, roughly a six-minute walk. With heavy luggage or in the rain, a short taxi ride is easier.
Where should I stay the night before a cruise from Genoa?
Closest is the area around Principe station and Via Balbi, within walking distance of the terminals. By the sea, choose the Old Port; for atmosphere, the old town; for transport links, Piazza De Ferrari and Brignole station.
Can I cross the Atlantic from Genoa?
Yes, in October and November, when ships head to the Caribbean or South America for the winter. These are one-way voyages of 15 nights or longer, so you fly home.
How the club fits in
Cruises from Genoa that are available in the club work on the same terms as any other route. You choose one way to pay per booking: the member price (INsider Pricing), roughly 17% below the listed price, or your Reward Points, which can cover up to half of the cruise price. They do not add up. To pay up to 100% with points, you need to have accumulated enough points and book 270 days or more before departure.
Not every cruise line can be booked through the club: check the specific sailing in the club's search, or ask us and we will tell you which Genoa dates are available in the month you have in mind.
How booking with points works →
Seasons and destinations are summarised from cruise line schedules for 2026–2027 and may change; check the current itinerary and terminal information before you travel. Percentages describe the club's rules and are indicative. Reislite is an independent information site run by partners, not a website of inCruises.