Jewels of Cinque Terre Tour Review (Cruise Excursion)

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If your cruise stops in La Spezia and you want to visit Cinque Terre without dealing with trains or logistics, Royal Caribbean’s Jewels of Cinque Terre tour is a simple option.

I did this tour during a Mediterranean cruise, and it was fantastic.

The day included Portovenere, a scenic boat ride along the coast, and free time in Monterosso al Mare to explore.

The itinerary has changed slightly over time, but the overall experience is similar.

In this review, I’ll show what to expect today and whether it’s worth booking—or if visiting on your own from La Spezia is a better choice.

If you’re considering that option, check my guide on visiting Cinque Terre from La Spezia on your own, or see my full La Spezia cruise port guide for tips and transport.

This isn’t a sponsored tour—I booked it myself and I’m sharing my honest experience.

Table of Contents

What to Expect from the Jewels of Cinque Terre Tour

This shore excursion is an easy, structured way to see Cinque Terre without planning transport.

You get a mix of:

Free time in one village
One guided stop
A scenic boat ride past all the villages

Portovenere: Guided Tour and Some Free Time

The day starts with a drive to Portovenere, often called the “sixth Cinque Terre.”

*Portovenere harbor with colorful houses and a relaxed seaside atmosphere—one of my favorite stops on this tour.*

It’s smaller and less crowded than the main villages. Here, we had:

Short guided walk through the old town
Free time to explore or grab a coffee
Good place for souvenirs (usually cheaper than Cinque Terre)

Colorful facades of tall buildings in Via Capellini, Portovenere — *Via Capellini in Portovenere’s Old Town, the main street lined with colorful houses, small shops, and local cafés.*

The entrance to the old town of Portovenere - Via Capellini

If you have time, walk up to the Church of St. Peter for views over the coast.

The fortified promontory at the top of which stands the Church of St. Peter, Portovenere — *Church of St. Peter in Portovenere, perched dramatically on the cliffs above the sea.*

Lord Byron's cave - Grotta Byron Portovenere — *Near the church is Byron’s Grotto, named after the poet who was inspired by this rugged stretch of coastline.*

We didn’t stay long here, but I’m really glad I got to see this beautiful place.

We had some free time, so I grabbed a coffee and gelato and walked around the harbor.

Portovenere beach — *There’s also a small beach in the harbor area, perfect for a quick dip or a short break by the sea.*

Scenic Boat Ride Along Cinque Terre

This is one of the best parts of the tour.

You sail from Portovenere to Monterosso al Mare, passing all five villages.

Duration: about 1 hour
Stops: brief pick-up/drop-off in villages
Tickets organized by the guide

The view of the Church of St. Peter by boat, Portovenere — *Sailing past the Church of St. Peter in Portovenere, perched on rocky cliffs as we head toward Monterosso al Mare.*

Jewels of Cinque Terre tour by boat — *Approaching Riomaggiore as we get closer for a quick pick-up stop along the coast.*

Tips:

Go to the top deck for views
Bring sun protection (no shade)
Sit on the right side (starboard) for the best views

Seeing the villages from the water gives you a completely different perspective than arriving by train.

Villages You See from the Boat

You don’t stop in these villages, but you’ll pass all of them:

Riomaggiore – colorful houses stacked above a small harbor
Manarola – one of the most photogenic spots, perched on cliffs
Corniglia – the only village without sea access, high above the coast
Vernazza – the most impressive from the water, with a natural harbor

The village of Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre — *Riomaggiore from the water, with its dramatic cliffside setting and iconic coastal views.*

The village of Manarola, Cinque Terre — *Manarola, known for its cliffside setting and some of the best viewpoints along the Cinque Terre coast.*

Corniglia - Cinque Terre — *Corniglia, the only Cinque Terre village without direct sea access, set high above the coastline and surrounded by vineyards.*

The village of Vernazza, boasting the beautiful beach and a large number of cafes and restaurants — *Vernazza, home to a hilltop castle with some of the best views along the Cinque Terre coast.*

The village of Vernazza, Cinque Terre — *The church in Vernazza dominates the skyline and shapes the village’s iconic coastal view.*

We didn’t stop in these villages, but seeing them from the sea is a highlight in itself.

(Some newer versions of the tour now include a stop in Vernazza.)

📸 I visited Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare on my own from La Spezia port.

If you want the best photo spots in each village and tips for planning it yourself, check my Cinque Terre from La Spezia guide.

Monterosso al Mare: Free Time

The tour ends in Monterosso al Mare, where you get about an hour.

This is the largest and most accessible village.

Monterosso al Mare, the largest and the most visited village of Cinque Terre — *Panorama of Monterosso al Mare, showing the old town and its sandy beach side by side.*

Monterosso al Mare has:

A long, sandy beach (rare in Cinque Terre)
A charming Old Town, with restaurants, shops, and gelato spots
Waterfront promenade with beautiful views

Beach Monterosso al Mare — *Monterosso al Mare has the only proper sandy beach in Cinque Terre, making it a great option for families.*

If you have time, visit:

Church of St. John the Baptist
Old town streets behind the beach

The Church of St. John the Baptist, Monterosso al Mare — *Church of St. John the Baptist, known for its distinctive black-and-white striped façade.*

My group had a short wine tasting here, which was a nice extra.

The region is known for its wines, so it’s worth trying if included.

After that, we took the train to Levanto and returned by bus to La Spezia.

What’s Changed Since This Tour?

I took this tour in 2019. The overall experience is still very similar, but a few details have changed.

Before:

Start in Portovenere
Boat ride along the coast
Stop in Monterosso al Mare (free time + wine tasting)

Now (2025–2026):

Often starts in Vernazza (free time)
Then Monterosso al Mare (free time + lunch on some sailings)
Ends in Portovenere (guided visit)

What stays the same:

Scenic boat ride along the Cinque Terre coast
Visit to Monterosso al Mare + Portovenere
Organized transport and logistics

Keep in mind:

The order can change
Sea conditions may affect the route
Inclusions (like lunch) can vary by sailing

👉 Always check the latest details on the official Royal Caribbean website.

Cruise Excursion vs Visiting Cinque Terre on Your Own

If your cruise stops in La Spezia, you have two options: book the ship tour or visit Cinque Terre on your own.

I’ve done both—here’s how they compare.

Why Book the Cruise Excursion

No planning needed — transport, tickets, and timing are handled
Less stress — guaranteed return to the ship
Boat ride included — a highlight of the day
Easy pace — limited walking, structured stops

Best for first-time visitors or if you want a simple, low-effort day.

Why Go On Your Own

More flexibility — choose your route and timing
See more villages — not limited to one stop
Lower cost — especially if traveling as a group
Easy transport — trains and ferries run often from La Spezia

My Tip

Choose the tour if you want a relaxed, organized day with no logistics.

Go on your own if you want to see more and don’t mind planning.

👉 I visited the villages independently from La Spezia—see my Cinque Terre guide for routes, tips, and how to plan your day.

👉 For smaller group tours at lower prices, check platforms like Viator and GetYourGuide.

Is the Jewels of Cinque Terre Tour Worth It?

Whether you book the Jewels of Cinque Terre tour or explore on your own, this coastline is one of the highlights of Italy.

I enjoyed the tour—it was well organized, scenic, and easy.

It gave me a good overview without having to think about logistics.

If you prefer a simple, structured day with everything arranged, this tour is a reliable choice.

If you like flexibility and want to see more villages at your own pace, going on your own is the better option.

🛳️ Planning more Mediterranean ports?

My Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide eBook covers 45 ports with practical tips on getting around, walking routes, shore excursions, and what you can see and do during a cruise stop.

👉 Get the guide here