Mediterranean
Black Sea
Accessible from the Mediterranean Sea via the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Strait, the Black Sea provides a road less traveled yet teeming with scenic and historical attractions. Each of the six countries that border its waters—Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Romania, and Bulgaria—offers unique experiences in tune with the area’s status as the crossroads between Europe and Asia. Cruises call at various ports throughout the Black Sea, including Istanbul, Trabzon, Sochi, Batumi, Yalta, Odessa, and Constanța.
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Holy Lands
Throughout the centuries, pilgrims have flocked to the Holy Lands mentioned in the Old and New Testaments to worship, pray, and trace the origins of their faith. The Holy Lands encompass Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, allowing visitors to craft a cruise itinerary, vacation package, or tour that covers numerous destinations and sights. Cruises call at various ports throughout this region, including Haifa, Beirut, and Ashdod.
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Mediterranean
The Mediterranean Sea, a sea of myth and legend, is the largest inland sea. It is south of Europe, north of Africa, and west of Asia. It connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar, and to the Black Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Red Sea.
Ancient civilizations flourished around the Mediterranean Sea. Later, the Mediterranean linked Europe, Africa and Asia as a major water highway for trade by merchants. After the building of the Suez Canal in 1869 it became, yet again, a major link between Europe and the Far East.
Mediterranean - Eastern
Far from taking a backseat to its western counterpart, the Eastern Mediterranean is quickly becoming one of Europe’s premier cruise destinations and holiday options. Many of Europe’s most prized ancient sites fall within its borders, as well as a slew of unique cities, intriguing landscapes and, of course, idyllic beaches. The region generally encompasses the Adriatic coasts of Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, and Albania; Greece and the Aegean Sea; Cyprus; and the Mediterranean coasts of Turkey.
Mediterranean - Western
Few regions in the world combine the sights, attractions, facilities, and overall charm of the Western Mediterranean. Generally defined as the coastal and insular regions of Spain, France, and Italy, cruise ships will often also include stops in Malta, Morocco, Tunisia, Gibraltar, and Portugal. Needless to say, the ports of call are as diverse as they are alluring, with cities like Barcelona, Marseilles, Nice, Cannes, Genoa, Florence (La Spezia), Naples, and Rome (Civitavecchia) on the list. Alone, any of these destinations make for an unforgettable vacation. Together, they represent one of the most celebrated and enviable combinations of manmade and natural beauty on the planet.
Suez Canal
Built in 1869 to provide maritime access between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, the Suez Canal is truly one of mankind’s greatest feats of engineering and an unparalleled route to discover the riches of the Red Sea. Stretching for 100 miles across Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, numerous cruise itineraries traverse it to reach countries such as Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar. Ports of call around the region include Port Said, Aqaba, Safaga, and Sharm El-Sheikh. And for travelers who enjoy historical wonders, this region boasts some of the world’s most precious and awe-inspiring ancient sites.
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