Egypt to Cyprus via the Suez Canal

Welcome to Egypt and Ain Sokhna, where you’ll step aboard your Emerald Cruises luxury yacht ready to set sail on an unforgettable cruise of the Red Sea. Ain Sokhna presents a charming coastal town in a naturally beautiful setting, popular for its soft, yellow sand beaches, clear blue waters and stunning Red Sea views. 

Please book your flight to arrive into Cairo prior to 02:00 PM.

The resort town of Aqaba, on the Red Sea at the southern end of Jordan, is a popular spot for divers with some of the best coral reefs in the world. Snorkeling and other water sports are popular, and it's easy to hire a boat for a day or half-day, including lunch.Aqaba has become quite a bustling destination, with several large luxury hotels and a large shopping area. There are many jewelry stores selling pearls, gem stones, and gold and silver jewelry. It's worth noting that although it's an international beach resort, Aqaba is quite conservative—certainly much more so than Amman—and North Americans tend to be more comfortable at the private hotel beaches.

A picturesque city located in the southern tip of Jordan overlooking the Red Sea, Aqaba is a history buffs’ delight for its rich history that dates back thousands of years, with archaeological sites such as the Aqaba Fort and the Ayla ruins showcasing its ancient past. Aqaba also serves as a gateway to the ancient city of Petra and Wadi Rum desert.  

The port and town of Sharm-el-Sheikh lies near the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula where the Straits of Tiran meet the Gulf of Aqaba. With its strategic position, the Sinai posed a desirable target for various rulers over the centuries. In recent times, the last battle for the Sinai was fought between Egypt and Israel from 1967 to 1979, ending with a peace treaty signed in Washington, D.C. Since the withdrawal of the Israelis, more and more Egyptians have settled in the Sinai, taking advantage of the booming tourist trade. However, vast interior regions are still sparsely populated. Many Bedouins have been affected by the advent of the 21st century, which is rapidly changing their age-old customs and nomadic lifestyle. As tourism and hotel projects continue to spring up along the Sinai coast, contact with Bedouins not involved in tourism is becoming increasingly rare. Once their nomadic life kept them on the move with their tents; today many Bedouins cultivate grain, vegetables and dates in addition to catering to the tourists. Sharm-el-Sheikh was initially developed by the Israelis during the Sinai occupation. Na'ama Bay, a short drive from the port, has grown from virtually nothing into a sizeable resort since the early 1980s. Between the two towns, a string of hotels line a once-untouched coastline. Resort hotels offer great opportunities for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving. Glass bottom boat trips are available for those preferring to view the exotic marine life of the Red Sea without getting their feet wet.

On the tip of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula lies the glamorous resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh. Here, the desert meets the sea, creating an environment rich in biodiversity and a melting pot of cultures. Dive into the fascinating aquatic world beneath the Red Sea’s crystal-clear surface, stroll through the historic Old Market and bustling bazaars, or explore ancient mosques and the desert landscapes of the Sinai Peninsula.  

Port Safago has been undergoing a transformation, slowly metamorphosing into a holiday rsort. Like other cities on the Red Sea, the commercial port town sits close to great offshore dive sites. Unlike others, however, tourist development hasn't taken off in a meaningful way. But if the mass tourism in Hurghada is a turnoff, Safaga offers a small-scale and much more low-key alternative, though the best dive sites can still be seen on a day trip from Hurghada. Safaga is also the closest beach resort to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, which lies 200 km (124 mi) to the southwest; when cruise ships offer land excursions to Luxor, they often do so through Safaga.

Safaga is an enchanting Egyptian city that offers a unique blend of natural beauty, water sports, and layers of intriguing history. This former fishing village is a relaxed spot and perfect for unwinding, known for its laid-back atmosphere, black sand dunes, and therapeutic hot springs, which are believed to have healing properties for various ailments.  

Today, you’ll cross the historic Suez Canal before reaching Israel and Ashdod. This incredible man-made waterway, built by Ferdinand de Lesseps and completed in 1869, carves through 162 kilometres of desert, linking the Mediterranean to the Red Sea and facilitating global trade and maritime transport.  

Busy Ashdod is not only one of Israel's fastest-growing cities, it's also the country's largest port. Perched on the Mediterranean, it processes more than 60% of the goods imported into Israel. Home to many ancient peoples over the centuries, Ashdod today is a modern, planned city. It's also a convenient jumping-off point for exploring several of Israel's most interesting cities, including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Bethlehem.

Ashdod boasts a thriving cultural scene and is a gateway to other significant sites in Israel, notably the 5000-year-old city of Jerusalem and further east, the Dead Sea. A visit to Jerusalem is of profound historical and religious significance. One of the world’s oldest cities, this holy city seamlessly blends ancient with modern-day times and offers visitors numerous must-see sacred monuments, such as the Western Wall, The Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Gates of the Old City. 

Spilling down from the pine-covered heights of Mount Carmel, Haifa is a city with a vertiginous setting that has led to comparisons with San Francisco. The most striking landmark on the mountainside is the gleaming golden dome of the Baha'i Shrine, set amid utterly beautiful garden terraces. The city is the world center for the Baha'i faith, and its members provide informative walking tours of the flower-edged 100-acre spot, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the top of the hill are some small but interesting museums, the larger hotels, and two major universities. At the bottom is the lovingly restored German Colony, a perfect area for strolling.Israel's largest port and third-largest city, Haifa was ruled for four centuries by the Ottomans and gradually spread its tendrils up the mountainside into a cosmopolitan city whose port served the entire Middle East. The climate is gentle, the beaches beautiful, and the locals friendly.You don't see the religious garb of Jerusalem or the tattoos and piercings of Tel Aviv in this diverse but fairly conservative city. In fact, you can't always tell at a glance who is part of an Arab or Jewish Israeli family, or if someone is a more recent immigrant from the former Soviet Union.

Your next stop is Israel’s third-largest city, Haifa, a bustling port city offering stunning seaside views and a vibrant urban life. One notable landmark is Mount Carmel, a coastal mountain range that creates an impressive city backdrop. Perched atop Mount Carmel, you'll find the Shrine of the Bab, a majestic golden-domed structure surrounded by the Baha'i Gardens, known as the Hanging Gardens of Haifa. 

On the southeast shores of Cyprus, the port city of Larnaca  was built over the ancient ruins of the city of Kition. This is a lovely destination where past and present blend into a delightful mosaic of sun and culture and charming for its diversity, special atmosphere and warm hospitality of the local people.

Your luxurious yacht cruise concludes here, where you’ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight home or to continue your holiday. 

Please book your flight to depart out of Larnaca after 11:00 AM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Emerald Cruises cannot guarantee the cruise will operated unaltered from the itinerary states above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.