12 nights · Saudi Arabia, Mecca · Departs Jeddah · Visiting Aqaba, Safaga, Suez Canal, Alexandria, Souda-Chania, Katakolon, Siracusa, Valletta · Aboard Crystal Cruises on the Crystal Symphony
Image courtesy of Crystal Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Crystal Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Crystal Symphony |
| Duration | 12 nights |
| Port calls | 9 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $9,900 per person |
| Year built | 1995 |
| Guests | 606 |
| Cabins | 310 |
| Crew | 530 |
| Length | 238 m |
| Beam | 31 m |
| Cruising speed | 21.0 kn |
Jeddah meets the Red Sea with the confidence of a city built on trade. Beyond its modern waterfront, Al-Balad preserves coral-stone merchants’ houses and narrow lanes shaped by centuries of commerce. Look for carved wooden balconies, lively souks and the old city’s UNESCO-listed architecture. This is a Red Sea port with a past still visible at street level.
Jordan’s only seaport, Aqaba opens onto the Red Sea and its coral reefs. It also sits within reach of Petra’s carved façades and Wadi Rum’s sandstone valleys. Snorkel or dive among vivid marine life, then return to explore the Ottoman-era fort and waterfront souks. A compact centre makes it easy to combine a waterfront stroll with the Aqaba Archaeological Museum, beside the fort.
Safaga is a working Red Sea port, with little to detain you at the quayside. Its value is access to Luxor, roughly 220 kilometres inland. At Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, and Hatshepsut’s temple, ancient Thebes becomes tangible. Prefer the coast? Safaga’s clear waters invite diving and snorkelling, while steady winds attract water-sports enthusiasts. Choose your day before leaving the ship; long road journeys make improvisation costly.
Few waterways alter a voyage as decisively as the Suez Canal. Cutting through Egypt’s desert, this 120-mile route links the Mediterranean with the Red Sea, avoiding the long passage around Africa. Opened in 1869, the canal has no locks, and ships cross it in convoy. From deck, watch banks of sand, passing freighters, and the changing light over Great Bitter Lake. Ismailia offers a glimpse of the canal’s history, while Port Said and Suez mark its northern and southern gateways.
Alexandria rewards travellers who look beyond its famous name. Founded by Alexander the Great, Egypt’s Mediterranean city brings Greek, Roman and modern histories to a lively waterfront. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina recalls the ancient library, while Roman catacombs reveal a city shaped by many cultures. Leave time for seafood beside the harbour and a walk along the Corniche. Here, the past remains part of daily life.
Souda Bay places you within easy reach of Chania, one of Crete’s most compelling historic towns. A short drive leads to Chania’s Venetian harbour, with its lighthouse, waterfront cafés and narrow lanes. On the Akrotiri peninsula, monasteries and coastal views share the landscape with the Allied war cemetery overlooking Souda Bay. Make time for Cretan cooking, distinguished by fine olive oil, local cheeses and wild herbs.
Katakolon is a compact seaside port on the western Peloponnese, with cafés and shops lining its waterfront. Most visitors come for ancient Olympia, about 35 kilometres inland and readily reached by road. There, the sanctuary, archaeological museum and ancient stadium bring the story of the Olympic Games into focus. Back in Katakolon, allow time for a stroll along the harbour before returning to your ship.
Siracusa rewards visitors who look beyond its handsome waterfront. On Ortigia, the old island heart, Greek temples, Baroque palaces and lively markets sit within an easy walk. Across the channel, Neapolis Archaeological Park preserves a Greek theatre, Roman amphitheatre and the famed Ear of Dionysius. Pause for granita or fresh seafood, then watch the light soften over the Ionian Sea.
Valletta makes a powerful first impression, its honey-coloured walls rising above Grand Harbour. Founded by the Knights of St John in 1566, Malta’s compact capital rewards exploration on foot. Enter St John’s Co-Cathedral for Caravaggio’s monumental paintings, then follow Republic Street to cafés, palaces and the Upper Barrakka Gardens. From the terraces, watch ferries cross the harbour and look towards the Three Cities. Allow time for steep lanes and quiet side streets.
Published August 29, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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