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 artefacts 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 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’ll pick your way through narrow stone passageways to discover half built, half carved architectural treasures. Take a camel ride around the magnificent 2,000-year-old structures fashioned from the 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 kite-surfing 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 of Amun, Mut and Khonsu, the vast 200-acre complex of temples at Karnak contain 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 our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

Yanbu, a picturesque Red Sea port city, is renowned for its pristine beaches and remarkable dive sites. The Corniche waterfront promenade is famous for its tree-lined walkways and stunning views of the Red Sea, while the Old Town is home to several traditional buildings, including mosques, souks, and hammams. Inland, the old city of Medina, stands as the cradle of Islamic culture and civilization, second in holiness only to Mecca. In this historic city, the Prophet Muhammad lived and taught during the 7th century. The breathtaking 10-minareted Prophet's Mosque, which houses the Prophet's tomb, is a significant site.

Ras Al Baradi Beach is located in Yanbu. This peculiar location has a 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.

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 kilometres 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 kilometre-high building once it’s completed.