Day 1 Petra (Aqaba), Jordan | Embark
Embark on the Crystal Esprit at the port of Petra (Aqaba), Jordan.
Day 2 Petra (Aqaba), Jordan
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.
Day 3 Cruising the Gulf of Aqaba and Suez
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Today, cruise the Gulf of Aqaba and Suez.
Day 4 Transit the Suez Canal
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
Separating the continents of Africa and Asia, while connecting the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, the Suez Canal stands as a testament to the ingenuity and determination of a bygone era. Completed in 1869 and requiring no locks, the 120 miles of this sea-level passage offer travelers a kaleidoscope of contrasting vistas. As you glide through quiet waters, marvel at the lush greenery of the Nile Delta to the west and the sculpted desert landscape of the Sinai Peninsula to the east.
Day 5-6 Jerusalem and Tel Aviv (Ashdod), Israel
- Ship
- 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
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.
Day 7 Bethlehem and Galilee (Haifa), Israel
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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.
Day 8 Larnaca, Cyprus
- Ship
- 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner
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 Larnaca, Cyprus | Disembark
After breakfast aboard the ship, disembark at the port in Larnaca, Cyprus.
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