10 nights · Cyprus · Departs Larnaca (Cyprus) · Visiting Haifa, Ashdod, Suez Canal, Safaga, Sharm El Sheikh, Aqaba, Sokhna · Aboard Emerald Cruises on the Emerald Raiya
Image courtesy of Emerald Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Emerald Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Emerald Raiya |
| Duration | 10 nights |
| Port calls | 8 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $7,107 per person |
| Year built | 2027 |
| Guests | 128 |
| Cabins | 64 |
| Crew | 92 |
| Length | 120 m |
| Beam | 16 m |
| Cruising speed | 22.0 kn |
Larnaca rewards a shore day that begins on foot. From the palm-lined Finikoudes promenade, the old town is close. The ninth-century Church of Saint Lazarus is its landmark. Visit ancient Kition’s excavated remains, then head to Larnaca Salt Lake, where flamingos gather in winter. Cafés and a relaxed waterfront make this eastern Cypriot city an easy introduction to the island.
Haifa climbs the slopes of Mount Carmel above a deep-water harbor, with the Mediterranean spread below. The Bahá’í Gardens rise in precise terraces to the golden-domed Shrine of the Báb, the city’s defining sight. Stroll the German Colony for restored 19th-century stone houses, cafés, and clear views uphill. Haifa also makes a practical gateway to Acre, whose UNESCO-listed old city preserves Crusader and Ottoman layers.
Ashdod is Israel’s largest cargo port, but cruise visitors come for what lies beyond its container terminals. Jerusalem’s Old City lies about 65 kilometres east; allow a full day for its major sights. Closer to port, Tel Aviv offers museums, markets and a lively Mediterranean waterfront. Ashdod itself has sandy beaches, a marina and the archaeological mound of Tel Ashdod, with settlement history spanning millennia. Choose your excursion carefully: distances are substantial, and traffic can shape the day.
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.
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.
At Sinai’s southern tip, Sharm el-Sheikh sets the Red Sea against a spare landscape of mountains and desert. Its clear waters and coral gardens draw divers and snorkelers, with Ras Mohammed National Park among the region’s marine reserves. Naama Bay has cafés and shops; the Old Market offers spices, produce, and a glimpse of everyday local trade. Beyond the resorts, a drive into the Sinai interior reveals rugged peaks and broad desert horizons.
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.
Set on the western shore of the Gulf of Suez, Sokhna Port is Egypt’s Red Sea gateway to Cairo. The capital lies about 120 kilometres away. A day trip can take you to the pyramids of Giza and Cairo’s historic quarters, but expect a substantial drive. Nearer the port, Ain Sokhna pairs desert mountains with Red Sea beaches. The port also sits close to the southern entrance of the Suez Canal, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.
Published September 9, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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