

The May 5, 2025 cruise on the Norwegian Sun departs from Tel Aviv. On this 11 Night Mediterranean: Greece Turkey & Egypt (Haifa To Istanbul) sailing, the ship will visit a total of 11 cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The Norwegian Sun sets sail on Monday, May 5th and returns on Friday, May 16th.
Norwegian Sun - May 5, 2025 - 11 Nights
| Day | Date | Port |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 5th | Tel Aviv |
| 2 | May 6th | Ashdod, Israel |
| 3 | May 7th | Port Said, Egypt |
| 4 | May 8th | Alexandria, Cairo, Egypt |
| 5 | May 9th | At Sea |
| 6 | May 10th | Iraklion (heraklion), Crete |
| 7 | May 11th | Rhodes, Greece |
| 8 | May 12th | Santorini, Greece |
| 9 | May 13th | Mykonos, Greece |
| 10 | May 14th | Piraeus (Athens), Greece |
| 11 | May 15th | Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey |
| 12 | May 16th | Istanbul, Turkey |
The Norwegian Sun sails on May 5, 2025 for a 11 Night Mediterranean: Greece Turkey & Egypt (Haifa To Istanbul). The ship will depart the port of Tel Aviv at 11:00 PM and will return to the port of Istanbul, Turkey on May 16th at 8:00 AM. During the 12-day journey, the Norwegian Sun will visit 10 additional ports and will spend 1 days at sea.
Based on my comprehensive research of cruise port safety information, including recent crime reports, travel advisories, Global Peace Index rankings, and specific port security concerns, we've created a "safety score" for each cruise port stop. The overall rating below represents a combined score for your specific cruise itinerary.

The Sun has a construction date of 2001 and a total size of 78,309 gross tons. The ship measures 848 feet (258 meters) in length. Norwegian Sun is included in Norwegian’s Sun Class. At full capacity, the Norwegian Sun holds 2,842 passengers. That includes 1,936 cruise vacationers and 906 staff members. The Sun total number of staterooms is 968.
To see how this compares, click through to see Norwegian Sun age and stats vs all Norwegian ships. There you’ll find graphs showing length, capacity, tonnage and more for this ship vs all in the fleet.
To check out the ship from top to bottom, click here for Norwegian Sun Deck Plans.
Tel Aviv, Israel, offers docking at Ashdod Port with excursions to Tel Aviv. Travelers explore Jaffa’s old town and Bauhaus White City. Excursions visit Masada’s desert fortress. Local markets sell falafel. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures historic alleys and Mediterranean vistas. Dining onboard includes shakshuka, an Israeli favorite. Souvenirs, like hamsa crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Levantine history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Tel Aviv’s urban charm offers a vibrant Israeli stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of cultural heritage and modern vibes, making Tel Aviv an engaging destination.
Ashdod, Israel, docks at the modern port, 3 kilometers from downtown, with shuttles or taxis for 10-minute rides. The city, population 220,000, serves as a gateway to Jerusalem, 90 minutes east, for Western Wall and Old City tours. Local sites include the Ashdod-Yam Citadel, a Crusader fortress. Ad Halom Beach offers swimming. Markets sell za’atar. Peak season April to October; taxis 20-50 ILS. Dining includes hummus at port cafes. Souvenirs feature olive wood carvings.
Port Said, Egypt, offers docking at Port Said Port. Travelers explore the Suez Canal waterfront and Port Said Lighthouse. Excursions visit Cairo’s Pyramids of Giza. Local markets sell koshari. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures canal views and colonial architecture. Dining onboard includes ful medames, an Egyptian favorite. Souvenirs, like papyrus art, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Suez history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Port Said’s canal-side charm offers a vibrant Egyptian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks, canal views, and cultural heritage, making Port Said an engaging gateway to Egypt’s history and Cairo’s wonders.
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!
Iraklion (Heraklion), Crete, offers docking at Heraklion Port. Travelers explore Knossos Palace and Heraklion Archaeological Museum. Excursions visit Phaistos ruins. Local markets sell dakos. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Minoan ruins and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Minoan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance ruin walks. Heraklion’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of ancient landmarks and scenic coasts, making Heraklion an engaging destination for exploration. (126 words)
Rhodes, Greece, offers docking at Rhodes Port. Travelers explore Medieval City and Lindos Acropolis. Excursions include snorkeling at Kallithea Springs. Local markets sell souvlaki. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Knights’ Street and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dodecanese history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Rhodes’ cultural charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic beaches, making Rhodes an engaging destination for exploration. (126 words)
Santorini, Greece, offers docking at Fira Port with tenders to shore. Travelers explore Oia’s blue-domed churches and Thera ruins. Excursions include sailing to Nea Kameni. Local markets sell fava beans. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for island tours. Photography captures caldera views and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like volcanic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Minoan history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance cliff walks. Santorini’s iconic charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of stunning views and ancient ruins, making Santorini an engaging destination. (126 words)
Mykonos, Greece, offers docking at Mykonos Port. Travelers explore Little Venice and Mykonos Windmills. Excursions include Delos Island ruins. Local markets sell loukoumades. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures whitewashed streets and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes souvlaki, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Cycladic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance island walks. Mykonos’ picturesque charm offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic ruins and scenic beaches, making Mykonos an engaging destination for exploring Greece’s Cyclades. (126 words)
Piraeus (Athens), Greece, offers docking at Piraeus Port with excursions to Athens. Travelers explore Acropolis and Parthenon. Excursions visit Cape Sounion. Local markets sell souvlaki. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for city tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hellenic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Piraeus’ cultural gateway offers a vibrant Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of iconic landmarks and scenic coasts, making Piraeus an engaging destination for exploration. (126 words)
Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey, offers docking at Kusadasi Port with excursions to Ephesus. Travelers explore Ephesus ruins and Artemis Temple. Excursions visit Virgin Mary’s House. Local markets sell baklava. The peak season, April to October, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ancient ruins and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes kebabs, a Turkish favorite. Souvenirs, like carpet crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Hellenistic history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance ruin walks. Kusadasi’s historic charm offers a vibrant Turkish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of archaeological sites and scenic coasts, making Kusadasi an engaging destination. (126 words)
Istanbul, Turkey, offers docking at Istanbul Port. Travelers explore Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace. Excursions visit Blue Mosque. Local markets sell simit. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures Ottoman domes and Bosphorus vistas. Dining onboard includes döner kebab, a Turkish favorite. Souvenirs, like carpet crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Byzantine history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance historic walks. Istanbul’s cultural charm offers a vibrant Turkish stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic landmarks and scenic waterways, making Istanbul an engaging destination for exploring Turkey’s cultural hub. (126 words)