The Remarkable Red Sea and the Dazzling Mediterranean via the Suez CanalEgypt-Cyprus

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.

The morning is free to do as you please.

In the afternoon, excursion: Sharm El-Sheikh and the Seafloor in Naama Bay. A glass-bottom boat tour will introduce you to the colorful riches found within the Red Sea. You'll then explore Sharm El-Sheikh and its traditional souk.

The ship will sail during the night towards Hurghada.

We'll leave for a full-day excursion to Thebes, the ancient capital of the Pharaohs. You'll discover the Valley of the Kings and the Karnak Temple Complex (lunch included–driving time is approximately 9 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.

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. We'll arrive in Suez mid-morning.

Tonight's festivities will have an Egyptian flair!

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. 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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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