Join Crystal Esprit in its 9-day luxury yacht cruise from Aqaba to Limassol. Start your adventure by discovering the sandy beaches and coral reefs in Aqaba, and see the UNESCO treasure of Petra. Cruise the Gulf of Aqaba and explore Suez and Cairo in Egypt. Transit through the Suez Canal as you move forward with your journey and reach Ashdod that is mentioned in the Old Testament, and archaeologists have found ruins almost 4,000 years old here. Ashdod is also the doorway to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Check out the Haifa which has been a mecca for the faithful of all kinds for millennia. Find the Larnaca and spend a great time around the palm-lined promenade, filled with seafood eateries and spots for coffee or cocktails. Finally, reach the center of Cyprus' wine industry, Limassol.
Highlights
Explore gorgeous Aqaba, the UNESCO treasure of Petra
View modern Suez, located at the head of the Gulf of Suez
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Embark on the Crystal Esprit at the port of Petra (Aqaba) in Jordan and spend a wonderful time.
Situated at the top of its namesake gulf, Aqaba brings a refreshing release from the rose-colored desert to the north. Its sandy beaches and coral reefs are the most pristine on the Red Sea, and Jordanians hope to preserve them through careful planning. Beyond the modernity of Aqaba itself, the UNESCO treasure of Petra – an ancient rock-carved Nabataean city once lost to the Western world – and the wonders of the Wadi Rum await discovery.
Dating back to the Sixth Dynasty of ancient Egypt (2345-2181 BC), when it was used to protect eastern Egypt from invasions, the city of Suez has long been a strategic trading site. Located at the head of the Gulf of Suez, and at the southern entrance of the Suez Canal since its opening in 1869, modern Suez remains a naval and trade center, linked to Cairo some 80 miles west, where the Grand Egyptian Museum is slated to open in 2020. A call here serves as a gateway to the Pyramids of Giza, too.
A tidy planned community built on golden dunes, Ashdod is southern Israel's only Mediterranean harbor. Yet this new city has fabulously ancient roots: Ashdod is mentioned in the Old Testament, and archaeologists have found ruins almost 4,000 years old. This is the doorway to the historic treasures of Jerusalem, and the worldly pleasures of Tel Aviv.
Hebrew for “beautiful coast,” Haifa has been a mecca for the faithful of all kinds for millennia. Its slopes of Mount Carmel, UNESCO-listed Acre, and glittering coastline are all impressive, and it is also an ideal starting point for explorations of Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee; Zippori, “City of Mosaics”; and the lively cosmopolitan delights of Tel Aviv.
The pulse of Larnaca is found around the palm-lined promenade, filled with seafood eateries and spots for coffee or cocktails. Its 6,000 years of offers much for history buffs, like the medieval fort and the Church of the biblical Saint Lazarus. The Zenobia shipwreck is among the many popular diving sites here, while the world’s last divided capital, Nicosia is a fascinating land journey.
Day 9: Limassol, Cyprus
1 Breakfast
The wine flows freely in Limassol, and so does the festive atmosphere. The center of Cyprus' wine industry, Limassol is home to a bustling bar and restaurant scene, as well as numerous wineries that are open for tours and tastings. The city seems to be engaged in constant celebration, staging elaborate festivals throughout the year. The waterfront promenade offers a dizzying array of traditional, handmade goods to expensive designer labels.
After breakfast aboard the ship, disembark at the port of Limassol, Cyprus.
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Notes
Solo Supplement: A select number of cabins are available for single use. The single supplement varies by cabin type, please contact us for details. Child Discount: Children age 11 or under receive 50% off when sharing a cabin with two full paying guests. Children, regardless of age pay full rate in a double occupancy cabin.
Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.
Included
8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 8 Dinners
8 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Complimentary Wi-Fi Access
All-suite, butler-serviced accommodations
All gratuities, shipboard and shoreside
The Pantry: 24-hour self-service venue offering specialty coffees, teas, wines and nonalcoholic beverages
Complimentary airport transfers between the airport and the river ship on days of embarkation and disembarkation
Complimentary marina and water sports equipment including a wide variety of aquatic toys (water skis, wakeboards, kayaks, jet skis, snorkeling equipment) based on destination's local rules and regulations and the discretion of the Captain due to weather and sea conditions
Excluded
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Crystal Esprit's submersible equipment
Massage, spa services or hair styling for which separate charges may be imposed.
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
