The wonders of the Mediterranean to the treasures of the Red Sea via the Suez Canal

You'll board our ship at 5:00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. We'll enjoy dinner on board. Our ship will begin to cruise.

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: Is Egypt Still a Gift of the Nile?

Alexandria was founded in 331 BC by Alexander the Great. At its prime, 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 fantastic 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 the city of Aswan.

In the afternoon, we'll have a guided tour of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and the Fort of Qaitbay. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina commemorates the Great Library of Alexandria and aims to be a center of cultural and scientific excellence in the Mediterranean Region. The Fort of Qaitbay was built in the 15th century on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria. The fort's medieval edifice and the view of the sea from its top make it one of the most important sites in Alexandria.

Our ship will begin to cruise towards Port Said.

We'll spend the day cruising to Port Said. We'll cruise aside the Nile Delta, a rich agricultural region. Egyptians have farmed this abundantly fertile area intensively for over 5,000 years. It is also home to a large concentration of wildlife. Join us for a lecture in the lounge: The Suez Canal: From the Route to India to the Shipping of Oil.

Our ship will cast off to cross the Suez Canal early this morning. Measuring 120 miles long (193 km) and only 673 feet wide (205 m), this canal allows for strategic passage from the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea without having to make 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.

Join us for an optional 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, as well as the Great Sphinx of Giza. We'll continue on to the royal necropolis of Dahshur, which contains some of the oldest and best-preserved pyramids in the country. The Bent, Red, and Black Pyramids all vary in design and demonstrate how the grand scope of pyramid building changed throughout the ages. Our next stop will be Saqqara, a huge area that served as the burial ground for Egypt's ancient capital, Memphis. This archaeological site contains several royal tombs, including well-known monuments such as the Step Pyramid in Zoser's funerary complex.

Tonight is our festive gala evening.

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. Join us for a lecture in the lounge: The History of the Sinai Peninsula.

In the afternoon, set out on a tour of 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.

Tonight's festivities will have an Egyptian flair!

We'll leave in the morning for an excursion to Saint Catherine's Eastern Orthodox Monastery (lunch included – 5-hour round-trip travel time).(1) We'll cross the colorful Sinai Peninsula. Although the location of the Biblical Mount Sinai remains in dispute, the current Mount Sinai sits above the city of Saint Catherine, home to the oldest Greek Orthodox monastery in the world. You'll discover the basilica and the Chapel of the Holy Bush with your tour guide.

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m.