Emerald Cruises has announced that Emerald Azzurra, its first oceangoing yacht set to debut in January 2022, will sail two itineraries exploring Saudi Arabia as part of its inaugural season.
Both of the new itineraries will sail the Red Sea and combine bucket list experiences such as visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza, ancient Petra and the Suez Canal, as well as lesser-explored ports offering historical sites of equal interest yet unknown to most travelers from the west.
The 10-day Mysteries & Treasures of the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia itinerary will sail between Limassol, Cyprus, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with ports of call in Egypt and Jordan. Guests will visit the port city of Jeddah, which is the second largest city in Saudi Arabia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Duba, known as the Pearl of the Red Sea, which offers guests the opportunity to visit the historic King Abdulaziz Fort overlooking the port; and Al Wahj, one of the oldest cities on the peninsula and the first World Heritage Site in Saudi Arabia, home to the tombs of Hegra.
The itinerary will also offer guests the chance to visit the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx at Port Said; travel through the world-famous Suez Canal; snorkel in the Red Sea at Sharm El-Sheikh; and visit Petra, the ancient city carved into sandstone. Prices for the 10-day voyage start from $3,629 per person, departing on Feb. 14, 2022.
While the longer 12-day Ancient Wonders of the Red Sea and Mythical Greece itinerary will sail between Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and Athens, Greece. Ports will include Al Wahj; Duba; Aqaba; and Sharm-el Sheik; as well as Ain Sokhna, the nearest beach resort to Cairo; Crete; Santorini; and Athens. Highlights will include a glass bottom boat trip at Naama Bay in Sharm El-Sheikh; a traditional Felucca cruise on the Nile with a visit to the Great Pyramids of Giza; a walking tour of picturesque Agios Nikolaos, Greece; and a day of soaking up the sun in Santorini. Prices for this 12-day voyage start from $4,305 per person, departing March 18, 2022.
Emerald Azzurra is Emerald Cruises’ first custom-built ocean superyacht designed to sail to small ports and harbors only accessible by small ships. The ship will carry a small group of just 100 guests, spread across 50 suites and staterooms, with the majority of cabins having access to private balconies.
For more information, visit emeraldcruises.com.
