The Remarkable Red Sea and the Dazzling Mediterranean via the Suez Canal Egypt-Cyprus (port-to-port cruise)

HURGHADA

Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6:00 p.m. We'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner on board. The rest of the evening is yours to do as you please.

HURGHADA

We'll leave for a full-day excursion to Thebes, the ancient capital of the Pharaohs. You'll discover Luxor and the Valley of the Kings (lunch included–driving time is approximately 7 hours round trip). The Valley of the Kings is one of ancient Egypt's top tourist destinations. Located on the west bank of the River Nile, the isolated valley is dominated by a great pyramid-shaped mountain. The area has been the site of royal burials for almost 4,000 years. More than 63 tombs include Seti I and II; Ramesses III, IV, VII, and IX; Siptah; Tausert-Setnakht; and Merenptah. You'll be able to visit three with your entry ticket, including the well-preserved tomb of Seti 1.(2)  The final resting places for these great pharaohs remain one of the most impressive sites to visit in the world. Farther along, dominating the eastern bank, sits the 59-foot high (18 m) Colossi of Memnon—faceless effigies seated on thrones at the entrance to the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. We'll also visit the Karnak Temple Complex. At the heart of this site stands the colossal Precinct of Amun-Re, enclosing a sacred lake that priests used in purification ceremonies before performing rituals in the temple.

SHARM EL SHEIKH

We'll spend the morning cruising. Take advantage of the warm weather on the Sun Deck as we pass alongside the Sinai Peninsula, a sacred area for many religions. The land takes its name from Mount Sinai, assumed to be where God delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses. Later, there will be a lecture in the lounge: The History of the Sinai Peninsula.

We'll set out on an excursion to Ras Muhammad National Park. Located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Ras Muhammad National Park contains some of the most outstanding diving sites in the Sharm El-Sheikh resort area. The spectacular coral-reef ecosystems and vividly colored fish offer a veritable paradise for snorkeling. In addition to the wonders in the water, the beaches stretch for miles, framed by dramatic cliffs and mangrove clusters.

At sea - SUEZ

We'll spend the day cruising on the Red Sea. Take advantage of the wide range of onboard activities proposed during our full-day cruise today. Join us for a lecture in the lounge: Is Egypt Still a Gift of the Nile? We'll arrive in Suez mid-morning, where we'll set out to visit the Suez National Museum to learn more about the city and its famous waterway. The museum recounts Egypt's trade history and includes ancient navigation instruments. In addition to shipping, the canal is a major passageway for Muslim pilgrims traveling to and from Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Tonight's festivities will have an Egyptian flair!

SUEZ - Cairo

Join us for an excursion to Cairo (including lunch) and a tour walking in the footsteps of the Pharaohs. The Giza pyramid complex is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: The "Great Pyramid of Giza." At its sides sit the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure and the Great Sphinx of Giza. Afterwards, we'll visit the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo. This exceptional museum, located in an impressive neoclassical building, opened its doors in 1902. At that time, it only contained about 12,000 pieces. Today, the museum owns the greatest collection of Egyptian archaeological history in the world. Among the objects you'll discover are rare statues, paintings, and funeral elements. Within the Royal Mummy Room, you'll see the enveloped remains of some of the most famous pharaohs.

SUEZ - Crossing the Suez Canal

Our ship will cast off to cross the Suez Canal early this morning. Measuring 20 miles long (193 km) and only 673 feet wide (205 m), this canal allows for the strategic passage from the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea without making the long journey around the southern tip of Africa. The incredible structure was achieved between 1859 and 1869 under the guidance of Ferdinand de Lesseps—well after Darius, the Persian conqueror of Egypt, had completed an initial version of the canal.

ALEXANDRIA

Alexandria was founded in 331 BC by Alexander the Great. At its greatest, it rivaled Rome and was home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Lighthouse of Alexandria. This morning, we'll visit the Alexandria National Museum, a great place to learn about the city's diverse past. The museum collection includes artifacts from the pharaohs, the Greco-Roman era, and the Byzantine, Islamic, and modern periods. Our next stop will be the Roman amphitheater, the only one of its kind in Egypt. Uncovered by accident in 1960, the structure dates back to the 2nd century AD. The semi-circular, open-air theater had a 600-spectator capacity, with an audience section of 13 white-marble rows and red granite columns imported from Aswan.

In the afternoon, we'll have a guided tour of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Montazah Palace Gardens. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina commemorates the Great Library of Alexandria and aims to be a center of cultural and scientific excellence in the Mediterranean Region. We'll then visit the loveliest green space in the city: The Montazah Palace Gardens. The lush gardens are a great place to take a stroll and admire the 19th-century palace and grounds.

At sea

We'll spend the day cruising on the Mediterranean Sea. Take advantage of the wide range of onboard activities proposed during our full-day cruise today. Join us for a lecture in the lounge: The Suez Canal: From the Route to India to the Shipping of Oil.

LARNACA

This morning, we'll set out on an excursion to Nicosia, the capital city split at the "Green Line" between Cyprus and Greece. We'll discover the city's hidden treasures and beautiful sites. Our tour will include the Selimiye Mosque, a former Roman Catholic cathedral converted into a mosque in the 16th century, and Buyuk Han—the largest and finest example of caravanserai architecture on the island. Its immense courtyard now hosts craft workshops and cafés for you to enjoy. We'll wrap up the excursion with a stroll through the traditional pedestrian area known as Laïki Geitonia—a great place to get a feel of the city and its inhabitants. Enjoy some free time on your own in Larnaca this afternoon. Tonight is our festive gala evening.

LARNACA

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.