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OUR RECOMMENDATION

07. Our Take

08. View Prices & Availability →

01. A New Desire Cruise for 2028

Desire's newly announced 2028 sailing takes guests from Rome to Trieste for seven nights aboard a full lifestyle cruise through the Mediterranean and Adriatic.

For couples already familiar with Desire, the format brings the resort experience to sea, with days spent exploring the destinations along the route and evenings centred around the ship's social atmosphere, entertainment and themed events.

For first-time Desire cruisers, it offers a different experience from staying at one of the resorts in Mexico. You're travelling to a new destination throughout the week, while sharing the entire journey with the same lifestyle community.

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Launch rates are usually about getting in early rather than finding a last-minute bargain. If this particular route appeals to you, it's worth checking the cabin choices and total price while the launch offer is available.

02. The Rome to Trieste Itinerary

The seven-night cruise travels from Rome to Trieste, combining several of the Mediterranean and Adriatic's best-known destinations with a full day at sea.

After leaving Rome, the ship heads south to Salerno and the Amalfi Coast before crossing to Corfu. From there, the route continues north through the Adriatic, visiting Kotor, Split and Zadar before finishing in Trieste.

9 September - Rome, Italy

The cruise begins in Rome, giving you the option of arriving early and spending a few days exploring the city before boarding.

10 September - Salerno, Italy

The first stop is Salerno, a gateway to the Amalfi Coast and its coastal towns and villages.

11 September - At Sea

A full day onboard with no port visit. This is likely to be one of the best opportunities to enjoy the ship, pool and social side of the Desire experience.

12 September - Corfu, Greece

The cruise then reaches the Greek island of Corfu, known for its beaches, historic old town and Mediterranean scenery.

13 September - Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor brings the ship into Montenegro and one of the Adriatic's most dramatic coastal settings.

14 September - Split, Croatia

The next stop is Split, combining an historic old town with Croatia's Dalmatian coast.

15 September - Zadar, Croatia

The final full day is spent in Zadar before the ship continues north towards Italy.

16 September - Trieste, Italy

The cruise finishes in Trieste, rather than returning to its original departure port, so remember to factor your onward travel into your plans.

Ports and arrival and departure times are subject to change.

03. Who Is This Cruise For?

The Rome to Trieste sailing is likely to appeal most to couples who want the social atmosphere of Desire combined with a European cruise itinerary.

Existing Desire Guests

If you've already stayed at Desire Riviera Maya or Desire Pearl, much of the atmosphere will feel familiar. The cruise brings together many of the same elements, including themed evenings, a sociable couples-only environment and the freedom to enjoy the experience at your own pace.

The big difference is that the scenery changes throughout the week, with opportunities to explore different destinations along the route.

First-Time Desire Cruisers

You don't need to have visited a Desire resort before taking one of the cruises.

For first-timers, a seven-night sailing gives you plenty of time to settle in, meet other guests and decide how involved you want to be. As with the resorts, there is no expectation that you participate in anything beyond what feels comfortable for you.

Couples Who Enjoy Europe

The Rome to Trieste route makes this sailing particularly interesting for couples who would rather combine a lifestyle holiday with time in Europe than travel to one of Desire's resorts in Mexico.

It also creates the opportunity to add a few days in Italy before or after the cruise, turning the sailing into part of a longer European trip.

04. What to Expect on a Desire Cruise

A Desire cruise combines the atmosphere of the Desire resorts with the experience of travelling aboard a luxury cruise ship.

Days can be as relaxed or as busy as you choose. Spend time around the pool, join organised activities or head ashore to explore each destination along the route. In the evenings, the atmosphere becomes livelier with entertainment, themed parties and plenty of opportunities to socialise.

Like the Desire resorts, the experience is designed for couples and attracts an international lifestyle community. You can take part as much or as little as you like, with no expectation to do anything beyond enjoying the holiday in your own way.

If you've never sailed with Desire before, our Desire Cruises guide explains the experience in more detail, including the atmosphere, dress codes, accommodation and what first-time guests can expect.

Explore Desire Cruises →

The Desire Rome to Trieste Cruise 2028 launched for booking on 15 August 2026, with special rates available for the launch.

Prices start from $693 USD per person, per night, although the final cost will depend on the accommodation you choose and availability at the time of booking.

Is It Worth Booking Early?

If you already know this is a cruise you'd like to take, the launch period is worth considering. The most important factor isn't necessarily finding the cheapest cabin, but having a better choice of accommodation while more options are still available.

As the cruise is more than two years away, we'd also recommend checking the booking conditions, deposit requirements and cancellation terms before committing.

Check Current Prices and Availability

Prices and cabin availability can change, so use the link below to see the latest information directly from Desire.

View Prices & Availability →

Launch rates are subject to availability and restrictions. Always check the current price and booking conditions with Desire before booking.

06. Before You Book

Booking a cruise more than two years in advance is a bigger commitment than booking a normal holiday, so take a few minutes to check the details before paying your deposit.

Check the Full Price

The advertised launch rate is a useful starting point, but check exactly what is included in the final cruise price and whether there are any additional charges.

Cabin category can also make a significant difference to the total cost, so compare the available options rather than looking only at the headline starting rate.

Read the Booking Conditions

Check the deposit, payment schedule and cancellation conditions carefully, particularly when booking this far ahead.

Travel insurance is also worth considering from the point at which you have money committed to the trip.

It's also worth connecting with other passengers before you sail - our Desire Cruises guide explains how SDC and SLS can help you see who else is booked onto the same sailing before you travel.

Think About the Whole Trip

The cruise starts in Rome and finishes in Trieste, so this isn't a simple return sailing. You'll need to plan your flights, transfers and any hotel stays around two different cities.

That can also be an advantage. Arriving in Rome a few days early or extending your stay after reaching Trieste turns the cruise into a longer Italian holiday.

Check the Latest Information

The cruise is still more than two years away, so some details may change before departure. Always check the latest itinerary, pricing and booking information directly with Desire before making travel arrangements.

View Current Cruise Details →

07. Our Take

The Rome to Trieste sailing has one of the more interesting European itineraries we've seen from Desire, combining Italy, Greece, Montenegro and Croatia in a single seven-night cruise.

With six different destinations and one full day at sea, there's a good balance between exploring during the day and enjoying the Desire experience onboard.

The biggest consideration is how far ahead you're booking. September 2028 is still more than two years away, so we'd look carefully at the deposit, payment schedule and cancellation conditions before committing.

If Desire cruises already appeal to you and the Mediterranean itinerary is somewhere you'd like to explore, the launch period is certainly worth a look while the widest choice of accommodation is likely to be available.

View Prices & Availability →

 OUR RECOMMENDATION

Interested in the Rome to Trieste Cruise?

Launch rates are now available for Desire's September 2028 Mediterranean sailing.

Check the latest cabin options, current pricing and booking information directly with Desire.

9th - 16th September 2028

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