11 nights · Petra, Jordan · Departs Aqaba (Jordan) · Visiting Eilat, Sharm El Sheikh, Sokhna, Safaga, NEOM-Duba, Yanbu Al-Bahr, Jeddah · Aboard Emerald Cruises on the Emerald Raiya
Image courtesy of Emerald Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Emerald Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Emerald Raiya |
| Duration | 11 nights |
| Port calls | 8 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $6,864 per person |
| Year built | 2027 |
| Guests | 128 |
| Cabins | 64 |
| Crew | 92 |
| Length | 120 m |
| Beam | 16 m |
| Cruising speed | 22.0 kn |
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.
Eilat sits at Israel’s southern tip, where the desert meets the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. From the port, coral reefs, clear water and desert landscapes are within easy reach. Visit the Underwater Observatory Marine Park, or take a glass-bottom boat above Eilat’s protected reefs. Inland, Timna Park’s red granite cliffs frame ancient copper mines and striking desert formations.
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.
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.
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 the Port of NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s northwest coast meets the clear waters of the Red Sea. Duba, the nearby town, introduces a region shaped by seafaring, desert landscapes, and rapid change. Travel inland to Tabuk to see its historic castle and explore its markets. Closer to port, the Red Sea and desert meet in a stark, open landscape. This is a frontier best explored with curiosity and a carefully planned excursion.
Yanbu brings the Red Sea within reach of Saudi Arabia’s historic heartland. Once a port on the route to Medina, the coastal city pairs maritime heritage with a modern waterfront. Explore Yanbu Al-Balad, where coral-stone houses and narrow lanes recall its trading past. Then take a boat to clear, reef-lined waters prized for snorkeling and diving, or follow the coast at sunset.
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.
Published August 13, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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