Doha to Piraeus Cruise

Day 1 - Doha, Qatar

Arrive: Tue 16 May 2028 / Depart: Tue 16 May 2028 at 16:00

Doha (‘place of beautiful flowers’) lies on the small peninsula of Qatar, that juts into the Persian Gulf. This sleepy town, once a British protectorate, was a center of pearl fishing until the discovery of oil turned it into a bustling port. Nearby attractions showcase Doha’s emergence as an important cultural and commercial center. Stroll along the crescent-shaped Corniche and admire the crystal-blue waters of the bay, the Emir’s Palace, the Museum of Islamic Arts and the traditional dhows, bobbing on the waters. Further afield, venture out on a desert safari, take in picturesque forts, or choose the perfect memento in Doha City Center, the largest shopping complex in the Mideast.

Day 2 - Abu Dhabi

Arrive: Wed 17 May 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Wed 17 May 2028 at 17:00

The discovery of oil in 1958 transformed this rural backwater into a modern metropolis with the highest per-capita income in the world. Today, Abu Dhabi boasts extraordinary sky scrapers, shopping malls, top quality hotels, tree-lined boulevards and picturesque gardens, while still maintaining a subtle Arabian mystique. Sail the lovely Gulf waters and numerous islands surrounding the city in a traditional dhow; tour heritage Village, a living museum where artisans ply their traditional crafts; or shop the central souk area for gold and Bedouin silver jewelry.

Day 3 - Dubai

Arrive: Thu 18 May 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Thu 18 May 2028 at 17:00

Located in the northeast United Arab Emirates, bustling Dubai attracts visitors with its international facilities and exotic, yet cosmopolitan lifestyle. Known as the Hong Kong of Arabia, Dubai’s modern duty-free shopping malls and traditional souks offer some of the best bargains in the world on such luxury items as gold jewelry and designer creations. For a more historic outing, visitors can explore the museum at Al Fahidi Fort or venture out into the Old Quarter of Bastakia.

Day 4 - At Sea

Day 5 - Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat, Oman

Arrive: Sat 20 May 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Sat 20 May 2028 at 17:00

Muscat is the capital of Oman, a sovereign country. Muscat has been important since the 6th century BC, when Persians controlled the port. It was under Portuguese domination from 1508 to 1650, and subsequently the Iranians gained control of the city. Muscat became the capital of independent Muscat and Oman in 1741- the country’s name was changed to just Oman in 1970. Muscat offers a number of exciting excursions including dolphin watching and off-road desert adventures.

Day 6 - At Sea

Day 7 - Salalah

Arrive: Mon 22 May 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Mon 22 May 2028 at 18:00

The Sultanate of Oman is situated on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula, neighboring Saudi Arabia and Yemen. In 1970, the son of Sultan Said bin Taimur overthrew his father's government and renamed the nation the Sultanate of Oman. During the Persian Gulf War, Oman served as a landing base for the allied forces. Salalah is gateway for visitors to explore the site of "Jebel Qarra," fabled to be the tomb of the biblical Job.

Day 8 - At Sea

Day 9 - At Sea

Day 10 - At Sea

Day 11 - Jeddah

Arrive: Fri 26 May 2028 at 08:00 / Depart: Fri 26 May 2028 at 17:00

Jeddah, a Saudi Arabian port city on the Red Sea, is a modern commercial hub and gateway for pilgrimages to the Islamic holy cities Mecca and Medina. Resort hotels, beaches and outdoor sculptures line the Corniche, a seafront promenade anchored by the iconic King Fahd’s Fountain. The city’s Al-Balad historic district dates to the 7th century and retains traditional homes built from coral.

Day 12 - At Sea

Day 13 - Safaga

Arrive: Sun 28 May 2028 at 05:00

Take a one- or two-day journey to Luxor and thrill to the majesty of the Karnak and Luxor temples. Cross the Nile to the famed Valley of the Kings and the magnificent tomb of Tutankhamen and the huge mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut. In the evening, witness the fabulous sound and light show at Karnak. Take a jeep safari into the desert to a Bedouin settlement for sweet tea and flatbread and enjoy the dramatic beauty of the sunset over the sands. Buy lovely hand-painted papyrus copies of tomb paintings, mother-of-pearl inlaid boxes, alabaster trinkets, jewelry, and replicas of ancient artifacts. Enjoy sizzling lamb dishes, falafel, and myriad other Middle Eastern and Egyptian specialties.

Day 14 - Safaga

Depart: Mon 29 May 2028 at 23:00

Take a one- or two-day journey to Luxor and thrill to the majesty of the Karnak and Luxor temples. Cross the Nile to the famed Valley of the Kings and the magnificent tomb of Tutankhamen and the huge mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut. In the evening, witness the fabulous sound and light show at Karnak. Take a jeep safari into the desert to a Bedouin settlement for sweet tea and flatbread and enjoy the dramatic beauty of the sunset over the sands. Buy lovely hand-painted papyrus copies of tomb paintings, mother-of-pearl inlaid boxes, alabaster trinkets, jewelry, and replicas of ancient artifacts. Enjoy sizzling lamb dishes, falafel, and myriad other Middle Eastern and Egyptian specialties.

Day 15 - Sharm El Sheikh

Arrive: Tue 30 May 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Tue 30 May 2028 at 19:00

Located on the Sinai peninsula, Sharm el Sheikh has been the site of pivotal religious events. At the foot of Mount Horeb lies the Greek Orthodox Monastery of St. Catherine, said to be the Mount Sinai of the Old Testament and the place where the prophet Moses encountered the Burning Bush and received the Ten Commandments. Pilgrims have been traveling to this site since the 5th century, and each day hundreds of visitors come to pay their respects. Sharm El Sheikh is also the diving and snorkeling mecca of the Red Sea region.

Day 16 - Aqaba

Arrive: Wed 31 May 2028 at 07:00 / Depart: Wed 31 May 2028 at 23:00

Aqaba, in southwestern Jordan, is the only seaport of Jordan. It is also our gateway to Petra, which dates back to perhaps 7000 BC and was one of the earliest known farming communities in the Middle East. The town was built out of solid red rock and features intricate carvings. It was once the capital of the flourishing Nabataean civilization that stretched from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. Enter the site through a half-mile long chasm and come face-to-face with the magnificent Treasury, Petra’s ancient masterpiece.

Day 17 - Suez Canal Transit

Day 18 - Suez Canal Transit

Day 19 - Haifa

Arrive: Sat 03 June 2028 at 06:00 / Depart: Sat 03 June 2028 at 23:00

Visit the land of miracles - Galilee, the Jordan River, the Mount of the Beautitudes and Tabgha, or venture to Nazareth, home of the young Jesus. See the largest hanging gardens in the world at the Bahai Gardens of Haifa.

Day 20 - At Sea

Day 21 - Santorini

Arrive: Mon 05 June 2028 at 09:00 / Depart: Mon 05 June 2028 at 18:00

With dramatic views of classic whitewashed houses clinging perilously to the side of the caldera and stunning beaches of white and red sand or black pebbles, it’s no wonder this may be the most photographed scenery in the world. Visit Ancient Akrotiri, the archeological site of a town frozen in time by ash from an eruption 3,600 years ago. Also worth a day trip is the Volcano of Santorini Palea (old) Kameni and Nea (new) Kameni , two small islands of black lava positioned in the centre of the basin of Santorini.

Day 22 - Athens

Arrive: Tue 06 June 2028 at 05:30 / Depart: Tue 06 June 2028

Piraeus is the gateway to the ancient city of Athens, known as the “Cradle of Western Civilization” because of its immense impact on cultural and political achievements throughout the world. Due mainly to tourism and the 2004 Olympics, Greece has redeveloped many sites in Athens. A historian’s delight, Athens is home to such magnificent wonders as: the Acropolis, the Parthenon, the atmospheric winding streets of the Plaka, Temple of Olympian Zeus and Temple of Athena Nike, and the Archaeological Museum with the world’s finest collection of ancient artifacts. Shore excursions on the first and last day of a cruise are only available for guests who are combining back-to-back voyages to create a longer cruise. Those guests may organize custom tours through the Destination Services Desk on board