Carmen
Travel editor at Reisedrop · 2026-09-20
Living in Ticino comes with a privilege the rest of Switzerland envies: the country's most convenient cruise port isn't Basel, it's Genoa. Two hours by car from Lugano, a bit more by train via Milan, and you're standing in front of your ship. No flight, no baggage limits, no endless transfers. The complete guide.
Genoa and Savona: what sails from here
MSC embarks in Genoa, Costa in Savona – half an hour further. Year-round, the western Mediterranean classics depart: Marseille, Barcelona, Palma, Civitavecchia for Rome, seven nights with a port almost every day. In winter, the long routes to the Canaries and Morocco join the schedule. The embarkation-port advantage: lower entry prices and more cabin choice than joining mid-route.
Getting there: car or train?
By car it's barely two hours from Lugano, and the terminals have partner car parks (book ahead, it's cheaper). By train via Milano Centrale you reach Genova Piazza Principe in about three and a half hours – from Ticino the most relaxed option, and the taxi to the terminal takes ten minutes. Our tip: if the ship leaves early, a night in Genoa turns departure day into a mini-holiday. The old town is worth it.
Real prices, no surprises
An inside cabin in the western Mediterranean starts around 700 to 900 francs per person per week in low season, full board included. A balcony adds 300 to 500 francs. Not included: drinks, excursions and service charges – count 25 to 40 francs per day per person. Always compare the final price, not the teaser: that's exactly what our comparison does.
When to book
The Ticino school holiday weeks and summer sell out first: book three to four months ahead. Off season, the opposite applies – last minute six to eight weeks before departure is often unbeatable, because the lines would rather fill the ship. And October in the Mediterranean is still summer: 24 degrees in Palma at low-season prices.