The winter season is just around the corner. The Red Sea cruise starts on November 24, 2023 and is scheduled to end on April 5, 2024. The fabulous journey includes visits to the following countries: Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. It’s time to bask in the sun when it’s winter at home.
And we will travel on the MSC Orchestra cruise ship.
Increasingly, lovers of sea cruises are paying attention to the route along the Red Sea. And this is due not only to accessibility for Russians (without visas), but also to the uniqueness of these places and climate. This region is famous for its snow-white beaches, clear water, fabulous underwater world and, of course, its historical heritage.
Red Sea cruise route
The Red Sea cruise has several boarding options:
- Ain Sokhna (Egypt) 120 km from Cairo
- Safaga (Egypt) 60 km from the resort of Hurghada
- Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)
- Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt)
The most attractive ports for landing in Egypt are Ain Sokhna and Sharm el-Sheikh. There are direct flights from Moscow and the cost of cruises is excellent. I’ll look at the first option.
We start from the port of Ain Sokhna, Egypt. Ain Sokhna is a port town near Cairo. Take advantage of the best guides in Cairo and have a great time.
The next day we sail to the town of Safaga, which is not far from the resort of Hurghada.
A day at sea for a closer acquaintance with the cruise ship MSC Orchestra. We sunbathe on the upper deck, swim in the pools, visit bars, discos, the theater, and the Aurea Spa thermal area. In a word, we enjoy life on a comfortable journey.
We arrive in Saudi Arabia, the city of Jeddah. A whole 25 hours to explore local attractions, and there is a lot to see here.
Jeddah is a port city on the coast of Saudi Arabia. In the historical quarter of Al-Balad, buildings from the 7th century made of coral have been preserved. Here, on the colorful streets, you can see oriental bazaars with the scent of spices, artisan shops, bakeries.
We again spend a day on the ship, slowly inspecting what we haven’t had time to do yet.
The next country on the route is Jordan. And, of course, the stunning ancient city of Petra, which has excursions from the port of Aqaba.
Petra – the capital of the Nabataean kingdom, considered one of the new seven wonders of the world. This is a huge area with more than 800 historical sites carved into the rock. Temples, palaces, a Roman amphitheater for 7,000 spectators. An unforgettable impression is left in the memory of the city, which, depending on the time of day, the sun fills it with dark red, pink or purple color.
We spend the penultimate day on the beaches of Sharm el-Sheikh. We swim and sunbathe, dive and watch the marvelous underwater world of the Red Sea.
End of the cruise in the town of Ain Sokhna, we leave home or continue our journey through the capital of Egypt.
Cruise cost
And so the price of an inside cabin for two starts from 798 € per day publication of an article from the port of Ain Sokhna. Other ports have different prices, please check when booking. It is not expensive! Try to find an eight-day cruise for that price in any direction. Believe me, it’s extremely difficult!
Visa information
- Electronic transit visa to Saudi Arabia, approximately 90 €. If you don’t buy it, you will be allowed to board, but you won’t be able to get off at the SA ports.
- Two electronic single-use visas for Egypt, the first one at the airport costs $25, the second on the plane for about $29. Or one multiple-entry visa (2 copies).
Let’s summarize
In Saudi Arabia we will visit all the attractions included in the excursion program. The country became open not long ago; there are a lot of restrictions related to clothing and behavior. Therefore, I recommend starting from Egypt. Thus, you have the opportunity to visit this country before or after a sea voyage.
Getting to Egypt is more profitable in all respects — the price of the flight and the absence of a visa regime. If you have not been to Cairo and visited the pyramids, sphinx and museums, then your port of departure is Ain Sokhna. And if you haven’t swam on the sandy beaches of the resorts of Hurghada or Sharm El-Sheikh, then there is an opportunity to make up for lost time in a few days. And then get to your departure port and board the cruise ship.
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