Crystal Symphony - 5/5/2028

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has docking at Jeddah Port. Travelers explore Al-Balad’s UNESCO-listed historic district. Excursions visit King Fahd’s Fountain and Red Sea beaches. Local markets sell oud perfume. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather. Photography captures coral houses and waterfronts. Dining onboard includes shawarma, a Saudi favorite. Souvenirs, like prayer beads, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Islamic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate. Comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Jeddah’s vibrant heritage offers a dynamic Saudi stop, blending history with coastal allure.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has docking at Jeddah Port. Travelers explore Al-Balad’s UNESCO-listed historic district. Excursions visit King Fahd’s Fountain and Red Sea beaches. Local markets sell oud perfume. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather. Photography captures coral houses and waterfronts. Dining onboard includes shawarma, a Saudi favorite. Souvenirs, like prayer beads, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Islamic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate. Comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Jeddah’s vibrant heritage offers a dynamic Saudi stop, blending history with coastal allure.

Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!

Aqaba (Petra), Jordan, docks at Aqaba Port, 2 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles or taxis for 10-minute rides. The port city, population 200,000, serves as a gateway to Petra, 2 hours north, with Nabataean tombs like Al-Khazneh carved into rose-red cliffs. Local sites include the Aqaba Fort, a 14th-century Mamluk structure. Snorkeling at South Beach, 10 minutes south, explores coral reefs. Markets sell za’atar spices. Excursions to Wadi Rum, 1 hour east, offer jeep tours through desert canyons. Peak season October to April; taxis 5-10 JOD. Dining includes sayadiyah (fish rice) at port cafes. Souvenirs feature Bedouin silver jewelry.

Safaga, Egypt, offers docking at Safaga Port. Travelers explore Luxor’s Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings. Excursions visit Hurghada’s coral reefs. Local markets sell koshari. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather for historic tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Red Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes ful medames, an Egyptian favorite. Souvenirs, like papyrus art, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Pharaonic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while comfortable shoes enhance temple walks. Safaga’s historic allure offers a vibrant Egyptian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient landmarks and coastal beauty, making Safaga an engaging gateway to Egypt’s heritage.

Safaga, Egypt, offers docking at Safaga Port. Travelers explore Luxor’s Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings. Excursions visit Hurghada’s coral reefs. Local markets sell koshari. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather for historic tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Red Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes ful medames, an Egyptian favorite. Souvenirs, like papyrus art, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Pharaonic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while comfortable shoes enhance temple walks. Safaga’s historic allure offers a vibrant Egyptian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient landmarks and coastal beauty, making Safaga an engaging gateway to Egypt’s heritage.

Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!

Suez Canal Transit, Egypt, offers scenic cruising without docking. Travelers view canal locks and desert landscapes from the ship. Excursions include onboard lectures. No facilities exist; provisions are ship-based. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather for canal cruising. Photography captures engineering marvels and Suez vistas. Dining onboard includes koshari, an Egyptian favorite. Souvenirs, like canal replicas, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover canal history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while binoculars enhance scenery viewing. Suez Canal’s historic allure offers a vibrant Egyptian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of engineering feats and desert vistas, making the Suez Canal an engaging destination for exploration.

Alexandria, Egypt, docks at the Western Port terminal, 10 kilometers from the city center, with shuttles or taxis offering 20-minute transfers to the Corniche. The facility includes lounges and ATMs. Travelers explore the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern library complex with manuscripts and planetarium shows. Qaitbay Citadel, 15 minutes east, features 15th-century fortifications on Pharos Lighthouse ruins. Kom el-Dikka, a 5-minute drive, reveals Roman amphitheaters and mosaics. Excursions to Cairo, 3 hours away, include Giza Pyramids and Sphinx. Montaza Palace Gardens, 20 minutes east, offer seaside walks and tea houses. Dining features kofta at waterfront stalls. Souvenirs include papyrus scrolls. Best visited October to April; taxis 50-100 EGP. Guided tours ensure security.

Take advantage of the many on board activites during your day at sea. You'll have more than enough to fill your day!

Chania, Crete, Greece, docks at Souda Port, 7 kilometers from downtown, with taxis for 15-minute rides. The city, population 50,000, features the 16th-century Venetian Harbor. Travelers visit the Archaeological Museum for Minoan artifacts. Local markets sell raki. Excursions to Samaria Gorge, 1 hour south, offer hikes. Peak season May to September; taxis 5-10 EUR. Dining includes bougatsa at harbor cafes. Souvenirs feature olive oil soaps.

Katakolon (Olympia), Greece, offers docking at Katakolon Port with excursions to Olympia. Travelers explore Ancient Olympia and Archaeological Museum. Excursions visit Kourouta Beach. Local markets sell loukoumades. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ancient stadiums and Ionian vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Peloponnesian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance ruin walks. Katakolon’s historic charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient landmarks and scenic beaches, making Katakolon an engaging destination. (126 words)

Siracusa, Sicily, Italy, offers docking at Siracusa Port. Travelers explore Ortigia’s Duomo and Archimedes Museum. Excursions visit Etna’s volcanic slopes. Local markets sell arancini. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures baroque architecture and Ionian vistas. Dining onboard includes pasta alla norma, a Sicilian favorite. Souvenirs, like lava crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Greek history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Siracusa’s ancient charm offers a vibrant Italian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of archaeological sites and coastal beauty, making Siracusa an engaging destination for exploration.

Valletta, Malta, offers docking at Valletta Port. Travelers explore St. John’s Co-Cathedral and Upper Barrakka Gardens. Excursions visit Mdina’s medieval walls. Local markets sell pastizzi. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Baroque architecture and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes rabbit stew, a Maltese favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Knights of Malta history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Valletta’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Maltese stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic harbors, making Valletta an engaging destination. (126 words)