Embark on a 13-day expedition cruise aboard the SH Diana, starting from the charming city of Limassol, Cyprus, where ancient history meets modernity. During your journey, you will explore historic landmarks, sail through the iconic Suez Canal via Port Said, and discover the exquisite beauty of the Red Sea in Sharm El Sheikh. Visit the historic St. Catherine's Monastery, discover the captivating city of Petra in Aqaba, indulge in thrilling adventures in Safaga, explore the rich heritage of Medina, and unwind on the tranquil beaches of Yanbu. Each stop on this trip offers unique experiences, from the wonders of nature to historical sites.
Highlights
Explore the ancient core of Limassol's Old Town and visit Limassol Castle
Discover the treasures of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, starting from Port Said
Wander around the ancient old town of Jeddah and admire the modern Saudi architecture
Take a camel ride around Jordan’s lost city of Petra
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
The second-largest city in Cyprus, sunny Limassol, is located between the ancient sites of Amathous and Kourion. Just like its island home, Limassol has seen many occupations come and go, and the result is delightfully cosmopolitan. The modern waterfront buildings and sleek promenade stand in contrast to the ancient core of the Old Town. Here you can find Limassol Castle, best known as the place where Richard the Lionheart (King Richard I) married Berengaria of Navarre after his conquest of the island in 1191. Kolossi Castle is located around 14 kilometers outside the city and was a command post during the Crusades. Take a break from the city’s long and fascinating history and explore the beautiful beaches, bustling restaurants, and cafes, or perhaps enjoy the island’s natural beauty on a hike along Cape Greco’s stunning coastal trails.
Port Said was developed in 1859 around the inauguration of the Suez Canal. The Waterfront Quarter is home to many handsome buildings, such as the Suez Canal House and the Military Museum of Port Said. The port is also the perfect jumping-off point to explore Cairo, where you can tour the Egyptian Museum, which houses some 120,000 artifacts dating back to the pharaohs, including the treasures of Tutankhamun.
The 101-mile-long Suez Canal was completed in 1869 as an artificial waterway connecting the Mediterranean and Red Seas, cutting some 7,000 miles off the journey from England to India. Today guests will be treated to one of the world’s most exciting maritime experiences as it seems to glide bizarrely right through the heart of the desert at sea level. The ship sails very slowly through its transit as part of a colossal convoy of vessels, giving you plenty of time to take in the view.
Sharm El Sheikh is a bustling resort town renowned for its reliable weather, tucked between the desert of Sinai and the Red Sea. Sharm’s clear waters filled with colorful fish and coral, such as at the site at Ras Mohammed, make it the ideal place for scuba diving and snorkeling. Make time to visit the 6th-century St. Catherine’s Monastery and see the Chapel of the Burning Bush, the very spot at the foot of Mount Sinai where Moses received the ten commandments from God.
Jordan’s only port city is the perfect gateway to the lost city of Petra, where you can pick your way through narrow stone passageways to discover half-built, half-carved architectural treasures. Take a camel ride around the magnificent thousand-year-old structures fashioned from salmon-pink sandstone, perhaps the best way to experience one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Aqaba is also renowned as a diving destination, with notable sites including the Yamanieh coral reef in the Aqaba Marine Park.
The small Red Sea port of Safaga is a popular holiday spot. Here, both diving, surfing, and kitesurfing are world-renowned. Inland visitors can try out camel riding or go on a jeep safari. The town is also well placed to head to the fascinating Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple in Luxor. Dating from around 2050 BC and dedicated to the gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, the vast 200-acre complex of temples at Karnak contains the largest religious buildings anywhere in the world.
Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip, or head to the library, which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the on-board lectures, or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from the onboard professional photographers.
The beautiful Red Sea port city of Yanbu is known for its pristine beaches and outstanding dive sites. Inland, visit the cradle of Islamic culture and civilization, the old city of Medina, second only to Mecca in its holiness. It was here that the Prophet Muhammad lived and taught in the 7th century. You can visit the stunning 10-minareted Prophet’s Mosque, complete with the Prophet’s tomb. Make the pilgrimage to the 3,500-foot-high Mount Uhud to see the spot where Muslim forces battled troops from Mecca in 625 AD.
Ras Al Baradi Beach is located in Yanbu. This peculiar location has the unique beauty of white sand beaches, a moderate climate throughout the year, and a deep sea full of surprises where you can experience breathtaking nature.
Day 13: Jeddah | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Jeddah is a beguiling mix of old and new, from the floating Al Rahma Mosque built directly on the azure waters to the New Jeddah Corniche, a waterfront boardwalk spanning 30 kilometers and bustling with restaurants, cafes, and sculptures. Al Balad, Jeddah’s old town, is UNESCO-listed and dates back to the 7th century. It offers beautiful buildings and an ancient souk. Admire the mighty Jeddah Tower, which will be the world’s first kilometer-high building once it’s completed.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
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Oceanview D4
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
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Oceanview M4
Oceanview staterooms features 2 single beds, bedroom and living room and a luxurious ensuite bathroom.
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Balcony D5
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
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Balcony M5
Located on decks 5, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
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Balcony D6
Located on decks 6, these balcony staterooms feature 2 single beds or a double bed, distinct bedroom and living room areas, a luxurious bathroom and your own private 6 sq. m balcony.
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Junior Suite
SH Diana’s Junior Suites features a Super King Size bed, separate living room area with homely flame-effect fireplace, private kitchen, luxurious en-suite bathroom and a 7 sq. m private balcony.
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Suite
Our Suites features a superking bed and separate living room with and a soothing flame-effect fireplace a luxurious ensuite bathroom and a 12 sq.m. private balcony.
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Premium Suite
SH Diana’s Premium Suites feature a Super King Size bed, separate living room with homely flame-effect fireplace, luxurious en-suite bathroom, spacious walk-in wardrobe and a 12 sq. m private balcony.
Initial deposit is 20% (30% for Suite bookings), 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
12 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 11 Dinners
12 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Room Service
Wifi
Coffee, tea, soft drinks and selected alcoholic beverages available 24-hours per day
Lecture programs by our experienced expedition team and guest speakers
Onboard gratuities & port taxes
Branded Swan Hellenic expedition parka and use of rubber boots in Polar Regions.
Group return transfers from the airport to the cruise port (via our included accommodation where applicable)
One night pre-cruise accommodation with breakfast in a 4/5-star hotel or onboard
Excluded
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Passport and Applicable Visa Expenses
We recommend every traveler to take out a travel cancellation insurance, travel interruption insurance and a travel health insurance policy with an assumption of the return transport costs of repatriation
Map
When to Go
Jan
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Dec
Good to ideal period to travel, and many people choose to visit at this time.
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
KC Chan
TrustScore 4.8 | 176 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 176 reviews on
1 day ago
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
3 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
5 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
6 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.
