Before your cruise

Western Mediterranean

Spain, France and Italy, often with Portugal or Morocco. Every ship has its own ports, so pick the countries on your ticket.

Say: Buenos días (BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs), Good morning, hellogracias (GRAH-thee-ahs), thank you
Try: Paella valenciana, Gazpacho, Salmorejo
See: The Sagrada Família, The Alhambra, The Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba
Money: Euro (€)
Good to know: Eat on Spanish time. Restaurants usually serve lunch from about 1 pm to 4 pm and dinner from about 8 pm to 11:30 pm. Arrive at 7 pm and you may find the kitchen closed.

Say: Bonjour (bohn-ZHOOR), Hello, good dayMerci beaucoup (mair-SEE boh-KOO), Thank you very much
Try: Baguette, Croissant, Crêpes
See: The Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Notre-Dame de Paris
Money: Euro (€)
Good to know: Always start with 'Bonjour'. Say 'Bonjour, Madame' or 'Bonjour, Monsieur' when you walk into a shop or café, and 'Au revoir' when you leave. Skipping it is seen as rude. After about 6 pm, say 'Bonsoir'.

Say: Buongiorno (bwohn-JOR-noh), Good morning, hellograzie (GRAHT-see-eh), thank you
Try: Pizza margherita, Spaghetti alla carbonara, Risotto alla milanese
See: The Colosseum, The Trevi Fountain, Florence Cathedral and Brunelleschi's dome
Money: Euro (€)
Good to know: Validate your train ticket. Paper tickets for regional trains must be validated in a machine at the station before you board, or you can be fined. Digital tickets do not need it.

Say: Bom dia (bohn DEE-ah), Good morningMuito obrigado / Muito obrigada (MWEEN-too oh-bree-GAH-doo / -dah), Thank you very much (said by a man / by a woman)
Try: Bacalhau à Brás, Caldo verde, Pastel de nata
See: Belém Tower, Jerónimos Monastery, Pena Palace
Money: Euro (€), since 2002 (before that, the escudo)
Good to know: Know the couvert. Bread, butter, olives or cheese are often brought to the table before you order. They are not free, but you pay only if you eat them. If you do not want them, ask the waiter to take them away.

Say: salam (سلام) (sah-LAHM), hello (literally 'peace')shukran (شكرا) (shook-RAHN), thank you
Try: Chicken tagine with preserved lemon and olives, Couscous with seven vegetables, Pastilla
See: The Hassan II Mosque, Jemaa el-Fnaa, The Majorelle Garden
Money: Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Good to know: Be thoughtful during Ramadan. During the holy month of Ramadan most Moroccans fast from dawn to sunset. Visitors are not expected to fast, but eating, drinking or smoking in public in the daytime may cause offence. Many restaurants for tourists stay open, shops keep shorter hours, and the evenings after the sunset meal are lively and welcoming.