21 nights · Greece · Departs Piraeus-Athens (Greece) · Visiting Heraklion, Haifa, Suez Canal, Safaga, Sharm El Sheikh, Aqaba, Jeddah, Salalah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha Qatar · Aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises on the Seven Seas Mariner
Image courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises ©
| Cruise line | Regent Seven Seas Cruises |
|---|---|
| Ship | Seven Seas Mariner |
| Duration | 21 nights |
| Port calls | 12 |
| Departures | 1 sailings |
| From fare | $35,198 per person |
| Year built | 2001 |
| Guests | 779 |
| Cabins | 354 |
| Crew | 445 |
| Length | 216 m |
| Beam | 28 m |
| Cruising speed | 21.0 kn |
Piraeus is Athens’ working harbour, not a resort port—and that is its appeal. From here, the capital’s ancient landmarks are within reach, while the waterfront keeps its own busy, distinctly Greek character. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Piraeus, then linger over grilled fish in Mikrolimano, a small harbour lined with tavernas. Metro connections make central Athens straightforward. Or stay near the water and watch ferries depart for the islands.
Heraklion is Crete’s capital, with treasures beyond its city walls. At Knossos, about five kilometres south, palace ruins reveal the scale of Minoan life. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum brings that world into focus through frescoes, jewellery and its celebrated Snake Goddess figurines. In town, Venetian walls and the harbour’s Koules fortress frame cafés, markets and a lively waterfront. Crete’s olive oil, local cheeses and generous island cooking reward a pause between visits.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Doha is a city of striking contrasts, where glass towers rise beside the blue waters of the Gulf. At Souq Waqif, spice stalls, cafés and falcon shops keep traditional trade close to daily life. The Museum of Islamic Art and the National Museum of Qatar offer two rewarding ways to understand the country’s past. Between visits, stroll the Corniche for broad harbour views, then choose a terrace for Arabic coffee or a long lunch.
Published September 22, 2026
Last updated October 3, 2026
Author: J. Richard
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