20 nights · Port Rashid-Dubai Harbour, UAE · Departs Dubai (UAE) · Visiting Abu Dhabi, Salalah, Jeddah, Aqaba, Safaga, Suez Canal, Port Said, Limassol, Antalya, Rhodes Island, Kusadasi, Istanbul · Aboard Oceania Cruises on the Oceania Nautica
Image courtesy of Oceania Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Oceania Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Oceania Nautica |
| Duration | 20 nights |
| Port calls | 13 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $6,849 per person |
| Year built | 2000 |
| Guests | 803 |
| Cabins | 349 |
| Crew | 372 |
| Length | 181 m |
| Beam | 25 m |
| Cruising speed | 18.0 kn |
Dubai makes a striking first impression, but its older quarters reward a slower look. Visit Al Fahidi’s wind-tower lanes, then cross Dubai Creek by abra to see the city’s trading heritage. Elsewhere, the Burj Khalifa rises above Downtown, while the Gold and Spice souks bring color and commerce to Deira. Choose your day deliberately: Dubai’s distances are considerable, and summer heat can make outdoor sightseeing demanding.
Abu Dhabi pairs the confidence of a modern capital with the measured pace of the Gulf. At the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, white marble, intricate mosaics and vast courtyards make a visit memorable. The Louvre Abu Dhabi brings world art beneath Jean Nouvel’s striking, latticed dome. Along the Corniche, a waterfront promenade opens views across the city’s islands and calm blue water.
Salalah reveals a different side of Oman, shaped by monsoon, mountains and the ancient frankincense trade. From June to September, the khareef brings mist and rain to the Dhofar mountains, turning their slopes green. At Al Baleed, UNESCO-listed ruins tell the story of frankincense commerce; the souq brings its aromatic resin into the present. Set aside time for the coastal road or a drive inland; the landscape changes quickly beyond the port.
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.
Port Said stands at the Mediterranean entrance to the Suez Canal, shaped by one of the world’s great shipping routes. Watch ships pass from the waterfront, then take the short ferry across the canal to Port Fouad. Founded during the canal’s construction in 1859, Port Said retains broad boulevards, old villas and a distinctly maritime character. Look for the historic lighthouse and local cafés, or browse the city’s markets before returning to the quay.
Limassol puts Cyprus’s layered history within easy reach of a lively Mediterranean waterfront. Begin in the old town, where narrow streets lead to the medieval castle and its museum. Local tradition links the city to Richard the Lionheart’s 1191 marriage to Berengaria. Along the seafront, cafés and the modern marina reveal Limassol’s contemporary side. Beyond town, Kourion’s Greco-Roman theatre opens to sweeping coastal views.
Antalya brings the Turkish Riviera within reach. At Kaleiçi, Roman walls and Ottoman houses frame lanes descending to the old harbor. Pass through Hadrian’s Gate, built in AD 130. The Antalya Museum gives the region’s ancient cities a compelling context. Beyond the center, Düden Waterfalls tumble toward the Mediterranean, while the Taurus Mountains invite a scenic drive inland. Choose a table above the harbor at sunset, and Antalya’s layered history comes with the view.
Rhodes pairs a fortified medieval capital with a sunlit Aegean coast. The UNESCO-listed Old Town stands just beyond the harbour, enclosed by formidable walls built by the Knights of St John. Walk its cobbled lanes to the Palace of the Grand Master, then pause over coffee in a shaded square. Beyond the city, beaches and whitewashed Lindos reward a longer outing; an ancient acropolis crowns the bay.
Kuşadası puts the Aegean within reach, with a lively waterfront and one of Turkey’s most celebrated ancient cities nearby. Ephesus lies about 20 kilometres inland, where marble avenues lead to the Library of Celsus and Great Theatre. Back in town, browse the bazaar, then follow the causeway to Pigeon Island and its historic fortress. The harbour-facing promenade offers an easy place to linger over the Aegean light.
Istanbul makes a compelling first impression: minarets rise above the Bosphorus, while ferries cross between Europe and Asia. On the historic peninsula, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque and Topkapi Palace place centuries of empire within walking distance. Istanbul rewards curiosity beyond its landmarks. Browse the Grand Bazaar, linger over Turkish coffee, then take a ferry to the Asian shore. Allow time for traffic and queues; the city’s scale is part of the experience.
Published August 26, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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