Why a Pre-Cruise is Essential before boarding a cruise

Bergamo Before Embarkation

Bergamo was never meant to be the destination but a layover as a direct flight was impossible between Lisbon and Malta. I decided to stay for several days before the cruise, and create a pre-cruise for ourselves, because I had studied there for a year at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia many years ago and wanted to show Marisa a city that remains surprisingly overlooked by many travellers.

The Accademia Carrara and its Tarot exhibition linked to the Sforza period became the main reason to extend the stay. Inside the museum, works by Lotto, Moroni, Bellini, Titian, and Mantegna shaped the visit. The galleries were quiet and spacious, allowing time to stop and look properly.

Most of my time was spent in Città Alta. Stone streets, church bells, and restaurants setting tables for the evening created the rhythm of the city. On the first afternoon, I was joined by Sara Cologni, Bergamo's head guide.

She remains one of the most impressive guides I have encountered. During a cheese tasting, she explained in remarkable detail how each cheese was produced, how traditions developed, and why certain methods survived for generations. What followed was a five-hour tour that never once felt long.

That is one of the reasons I continue to work with private guides for my clients. Knowledge matters, but enthusiasm and love for a destination matters maybe even more.

Sara and I standing together in front of A Giordano and 16th century Flemish Tapestry

Arrival in Malta

Valletta felt completely different.

The city was considerably busier, and the crowds occasionally distracted from its beauty. For me, the highlights were Caravaggio's paintings in St. John's Co-Cathedral and the works of Ribera in the Grand Master's Palace. I was also surprised by how strongly English culinary influences remain present even though Malta has been independent since 1964.

Arriving a day before embarkation removed any pressure from the schedule. It is something I always recommend to cruise clients. Worrying about flight delays on embarkation day is simply unnecessary when an extra night solves the problem. The harbour itself remained calm. Boarding procedures were straightforward and taken care of seamlessly by PONANT’s staff.

As the ship departed Valletta, I understood why the captain described it as one of the world's great sailaways. The city rose dramatically above the water as the ship slowly passed through the harbour entrance and into the Mediterranean.

Departure from Valletta

Between Land and Sea

Elba felt like a natural continuation of the journey that had started in Bergamo. Portoferraio's churches, narrow streets, and stone buildings carried the same sense of observation that had shaped my time in northern Italy, a fed days earlier.

Food followed a similar thread. One lunch on board featured pasta finished inside a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano and topped with truffle, echoing meals I had enjoyed only days earlier in Bergamo.

During several sea passages, Stromboli and Mount Etna appeared on the horizon. At sunrise, smoke drifted above the volcanic landscape while the ship crossed open water.

Shortly afterwards, a pod of dolphins appeared alongside the vessel. Some floated quietly while others repeatedly leapt from the sea. According to several crew members, who had already spent two months onboard, the jumping behaviour was something they hadn’t witnessed themselves.

The Importance of a Pre-Cruise

Over the years, clients have consistently mentioned three reasons they value a pre-cruise stay. The first is practical. Arriving early protects against travel disruptions and removes the risk of missing embarkation.

The second is comfort. Having time to adjust to a new time zone and settle into a destination makes the beginning of a cruise considerably more enjoyable.

The third is harder to measure but just as important. Spending time ashore before boarding creates space for experiences that would otherwise be missed. By the time I stepped onboard in Valletta, the journey had already begun days earlier in Bergamo.

Sunset from the old part of Bergamo

Our Conclusion why a Pre-Cruise is essential

From Bergamo to Malta and onwards through the Mediterranean with PONANT, the journey unfolded naturally from one destination to the next.

Bergamo surprised me. Although I knew the city from my student years, returning reminded me how much history, culture, and character is concentrated within its walls. Combined with the voyage from Malta to Nice, it became one of the most memorable trips I have taken in recent years. It is because of these experiences and logistical comfort that we think a Pre-Cruise is Essential.

Further reading:

Full PONANT Review

PONANT Smithsonian, Expedition and Music Themed Itinerary Review

Why I Spend Time With the People Behind the Brands