Holland America Line’s Jocelyn Wu, special events coordinator – public relations, just disembarked ms Noordam with a group of journalists. She and many of the writers chronicled their cruise through the Mediterranean on Facebook and Twitter through fabulous photos and fun captions.

Journalist Gail Jennsen was onboard writing a story for Avid Cruiser and she’s tweeting photos of her adventure at @fourthirtyam. Anita Dunham Potter sailed to cover the Noordam cruise for her website, Expert Cruiser. She’s tweeting with @ExpertCruiser. Photos and tweets from Dutch journalist Lisanne Kerstens, who is writing for Around the Globe, can be found at @atg_nl.

Come along on their amazing photo journey and witness the culture, charm and beauty found on a cruise through the Mediterranean.

First stop, Rome, Italy. The ship departs from the port of Civitavecchia, and arriving a few days early enables plenty of time to see all that Rome to offer.

Jocelyn admires Rome’s Pantheon.

Welcome aboard!

Welcome @halcruises MS Noordam! #Hollandamerica – Lisanne

At Naples, Italy, the sun rose over Mt. Vesuvius, and Anita captured the moment beautifully.

Good Morning from @HALcruises #Noordam in Naples it’s a lovely day and check out Mt Vesuvius! – Anita

The group took a tour that visited the Ruins of Pompeii, perfectly preserved since the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD 79.

The ruins of Pompeii. Shore excursion with @HALcruises. Beautiful preserved archeological site. – Lisanne

From Naples, the group took a shore excursion that visited the stunning isle of Capri.

Taking the ride up from Anacapri. A great souvenir from Capri is their famous sandal. – Anita

The next call was at Palermo, Sicily, and some of the group learned how to prepare an authentic Sicilian dish on the A Taste of Sicily: A Cooking Lesson tour.

Sicilian cooking lesson at agritourismo farm Antica Masseria from Baroness Di Salvo. – Anita

Lisanne took a different tour and visited the Teatro Politeama.

Nice shore excursion @HALcruises in Palermo today. This is Teatro Politeama at the main square. – Lisanne

Another incredible stop on the cruise was a call at Livorno. From here, guests can take the “Tuscan Landmarks: Florence & Pisa” tour and visit two incredible places. In Florence, a half-day walking tour includes many of the city’s masterpieces. At Pisa, the group explored the Piazza dei Miracoli — site of the Leaning Tower, the cathedral and the baptistery.

Before visiting Pisa, top left, Jocelyn went to Florence and explored the Piazza del Duomo.

The ship continued to make its way through the Med with a call at Calvi, Corsica, where Anita captured a gorgeous sunrise and Gail discovered that it’s one of her favorite ports.

Anita shared this stunning photo on Twitter. @ExpertCruiser

I’ve fallen deeply in love with Calvi, Corsica. I’ve only traveled in northern France and I must say, I’ve missed out. – Gail

At Monte Carlo, Gail made her way to out of the city on a tour to Nice and Eze.

Day 8: Nice & Eze introdcued me to Cote D’Azur, Provence, French Riviera. I’m hooked. – Gail

Anita admired the yachts in the harbor and went to the palace to see the changing of the guard.

Changing of the guard at Monaco palace. No prince or princess sightings. – Anita

Marseille, France, was the next port of call, and Gail and Lisanne enjoyed shopping in the markets and seeing the beautiful architecture. Gail called the region:

“A storybook dreamscape.”

Soap made from honey. Soap made from olive oil. Soap made from lavender. Check. Check. Check. – Gail

Marseille was charming and thoroughly enjoyed by Gail.

Lisanne tweeted these photos of Marseille at @atg_nl.

Barcelona, Spain, was the last call of the cruise and the port of disembarkation. Barcelona is another city where a spending a few days after (or before) a cruise would provide time to explore all that the city has to offer, and perhaps attend a futbol game!

Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia is a “must see” when visiting Barcelona. Three perspectives, from left: Jocelyn, Gail and Lisanne. Gail wrote on Twitter … #bucketlist!

The group went to a Futbol game – one of the most popular activities in the city.

While making their way through the Mediterranean, the group also took every opportunity to indulge in local cuisine!

Jocelyn, bottom left, enjoyed the variety of local culinary indulgences around the Med.

And sweet treats are a must on any cruise to Italy!

“Yum, gelato!” said Anita.

To read upcoming stories about their cruise, check their websites. Anita can be found at www.expertcruiser.com; Gail is writing for www.avidcruiser.com; and Lisanne’s story will be at www.aroundtheglobe.nl.

When you travel, do you take time to post photos to social media, or do you prefer to wait until you get home to show your friends and family where you’ve been?

Be sure to follow Holland America Line on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see even more fabulous photos that show the true cruise experience.