Seabourn Encore
March 19, 2025

Dubai, UAE, offers docking at Port Rashid. Travelers explore Burj Khalifa and Dubai Souk. Excursions visit Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Local markets sell shawarma. The peak season, November to March, brings mild weather for city tours. Photography captures skyscrapers and Persian Gulf vistas. Dining onboard includes kabsa, an Emirati favorite. Souvenirs, like gold crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Bedouin history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while comfortable shoes enhance city walks. Dubai’s modern charm offers a vibrant UAE stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of futuristic landmarks and cultural markets, making Dubai an engaging destination for exploration.

Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE, offers docking at Ras Al-Khaimah Port. Travelers explore Al Hamra Village and Dhayah Fort. Excursions include desert dune bashing. Local markets sell luqaimat. The peak season, November to March, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Arabian Gulf vistas and historic forts. Dining onboard includes machboos, an Emirati favorite. Souvenirs, like camel crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover UAE history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while comfortable shoes enhance fort walks. Ras Al-Khaimah’s cultural allure offers a vibrant UAE stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites, desert adventures, and coastal charm, making Ras Al-Khaimah an engaging destination for exploration.

Salalah, Oman, offers docking at Salalah Port. Travelers explore Al Baleed’s UNESCO ruins and frankincense markets. Excursions visit Wadi Darbat’s waterfalls. Local markets sell halwa. The peak season, September to April, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures ancient sites and Arabian Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes shuwa, an Omani favorite. Souvenirs, like frankincense, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dhofar history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while comfortable shoes enhance ruin walks. Salalah’s cultural allure offers a vibrant Omani stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites, scenic wadis, and frankincense culture, making Salalah an engaging destination for exploring Oman’s southern coast.

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.

Returning to Safaga — see Day 10 above for port info.

Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, offers docking at Sharm El Sheikh Port. Travelers explore Naama Bay and Ras Mohammed National Park. Excursions include snorkeling at Tiran Island. Local markets sell koshari. The peak season, October to April, brings mild weather for coastal tours. Photography captures coral reefs and Red Sea vistas. Dining onboard includes falafel, an Egyptian favorite. Souvenirs, like papyrus crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Sinai history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the arid climate, while water shoes enhance reef exploration. Sharm El Sheikh’s coastal allure offers a vibrant Egyptian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of marine adventures and desert beauty, making Sharm El Sheikh an engaging destination.

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.

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.

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.

Aghios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece, anchors or docks at its central harbor on Mirabello Bay, with tenders for larger ships placing passengers amid tavernas and boutiques. The Venetian port, 65 kilometers east of Heraklion, features promenades and free Wi-Fi spots. Lake Voulismeni, 5-minute walk, circles a sunken crater lined with cafes for people-watching. Archaeological Museum, 10 minutes stroll, displays Minoan artifacts like the Saffron Gatherer fresco. Almiros Beach, 2 kilometers south, offers sandy shores and tavernas serving dakos salad. Excursions visit Knossos Palace, 50 minutes drive, for labyrinth tours and restored murals. Spinalonga Island, 20 minutes by boat, explores Venetian fortress once a leper colony. Kitroplatias Beach, 400 meters east, provides quick dips. Folklore Museum, in town, showcases weaving looms and pottery kilns. Dining options include meze platters at harbor tables. Souvenirs feature olive oil soaps and raki. Peak season May to October; buses 1-2 EUR. Taxis 5-10 EUR short trips.

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.

Monemvasia, Greece, has no docking; ships anchor offshore with tenders to the medieval island. Travelers explore the Byzantine fortress and Upper Town’s churches. Excursions visit Elafonisos’ beaches. Local markets sell olive oil. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for historic tours. Photography captures stone alleys and Aegean vistas. Dining onboard includes moussaka, a Greek favorite. Souvenirs, like ceramic plates, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Byzantine history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance fortress walks. Monemvasia’s medieval charm offers a serene Greek stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a blend of historic fortifications, scenic coastlines, and island tranquility, making Monemvasia an ideal destination for exploring Greece’s Byzantine legacy and picturesque Peloponnese beauty in a unique rock-island setting.

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.

Dubrovnik, Croatia, offers docking at Gruž Port. Travelers explore Old Town walls and Lokrum Island. Excursions include kayaking along Adriatic shores. Local markets sell travarica. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures medieval ramparts and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes pašticada, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like lace crafts, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Dalmatian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while sturdy shoes enhance wall walks. Dubrovnik’s historic charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of UNESCO landmarks and scenic coasts, making Dubrovnik an engaging destination for exploration.

Hvar, Croatia, has docking at Hvar Port. Travelers explore Hvar Town’s Renaissance cathedral and fortress. Excursions visit Pakleni Islands for snorkeling. Local markets sell lavender oil. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather. Photography captures Adriatic views and historic streets. Dining onboard includes pasticada, a Dalmatian dish. Souvenirs, like lavender sachets, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Croatian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate. Comfortable shoes enhance fortress walks. Hvar’s vibrant island charm offers a delightful Croatian stop, blending history with coastal beauty.

Rovinj, Croatia, offers docking at Rovinj Port. Travelers explore St. Euphemia’s Church and old town’s cobblestone streets. Excursions visit Lim Fjord’s oyster farms. Local markets sell truffles. The peak season, May to September, brings warm weather for coastal tours. Photography captures Venetian architecture and Adriatic vistas. Dining onboard includes fuži with truffles, a Croatian favorite. Souvenirs, like olive oil, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Istrian history. Light clothing and sun protection suit the Mediterranean climate, while comfortable shoes enhance town walks. Rovinj’s coastal charm offers a vibrant Croatian stop. Cruise travelers enjoy a mix of historic sites, scenic fjords, and Istrian culture, making Rovinj an engaging destination for exploration.

Fusina, Venice, Italy, offers docking at Fusina Port, a gateway to Venice. Travelers explore St. Mark’s Square and Doge’s Palace via water taxis. Excursions visit Murano’s glassblowing workshops. Local markets sell Venetian masks. The peak season, April to October, brings mild weather. Photography captures canals and historic architecture. Dining onboard includes risotto al nero, a Venetian dish. Souvenirs, like glass ornaments, are sold in ship shops. Briefings cover Venice’s maritime history. Light clothing and comfortable shoes suit walking tours. Binoculars enhance lagoon views. Fusina’s proximity to Venice offers a magical Italian stop, immersing travelers in its iconic canals and Renaissance splendor.