Royal Caribbean- Suez Canal Cruise

Table Of Content

• Watch my video of our Suez Canal cruise transit from Port Said to Port Tewfik (southbound).
• Related Cruise Ports
• Is a port or starboard cabin best for a Suez Canal cruise?
• More about Transit the Suez Canal, Egypt Points of Interest
• The “Egyptian Riviera” – Red Sea resorts and diving tours
• Suez Canal (Transit) port guide

Some brands, like Princess, are re-routing ships away from the conflict areas and opting to travel around the horn of Africa. Others, like Costa, have elected to sail ships empty through the Suez Canal en-route to their spring European cruise seasons. In its statement, Virgin Voyages said that passengers on the former legs of the original repositioning voyage will have guaranteed spots on the new sailings at no additional cost and a price protection commitment in place. Cruisers also have the option to receive a future cruise credit based on their paid balance or a full refund. Choose a Freighter Cruise from AU$4600 for 23 days through the Suez Canal.

Watch my video of our Suez Canal cruise transit from Port Said to Port Tewfik (southbound).

Once in the Mediterranean, the ship will stop in Barcelona, Malta's Valletta, and Santorini before arriving in Athens (Piraeus). Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to be a useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more.

Related Cruise Ports

Virgin will reroute Resilient Lady to avoid Middle East - Travel Weekly

Virgin will reroute Resilient Lady to avoid Middle East.

Posted: Thu, 08 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The diplomatic side of this event was also intended to ease the tensions that had been brewing in Europe during the 10 years of construction. Whichever side of the ship you book a cabin, there will be scenery to enjoy. If you are taking a southbound transit from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, starboard has the most landmarks. It will enable you to enjoy the views from the comfort of your cabin and offers some shade from the midday sun. Your Suez Canal cruise will likely need to cruise through the Gulf of Aden, which has had pirate activity in the past but your ship will take the necessary precautions, like armed guards, close some open decks and do a pirate drill. As your cruise reaches the end of the canal, you will pass the city of Suez.

Is a port or starboard cabin best for a Suez Canal cruise?

SEZ covers a total area of 95 km2 (37 mi2) and includes an industrial area, residential zone (sized 20 km2 / 8 mi2). Development of Port Sokhna increased its capacity and linked it to the industrial zone. Zone's facilities serve smaller-sized industries (medical, electronics, communications, construction materials, textiles, auto parts, food processing, petrochemicals), logistics, service facilities. The residential zone (capacity 0,5 million people) houses coastal villas, residential units, shopping centers, nightclubs, entertainment facilities, mosques, schools, hospitals, green spaces. Construction was launched in August 2014 to expand and widen Ballah Bypass for 22 miles (35 km) to speed canal's transit time.

Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news

Cruise giant forced to change itinerary after Red Sea attacks - Yahoo Finance

Cruise giant forced to change itinerary after Red Sea attacks.

Posted: Tue, 30 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The ship doesn’t stop during your time in the Suez Canal, but you can opt for shore excursions at the ports before or after your journey. For the period December 2020 through May 31, 2021, SCA-Suez Canal Authority reduced by 48% the transition tolls for VLCCs and ULCCs (Very-Large- and Ultra-Large Container Carriers) with DWT-deadweight tonnage 250,000+ tons. Transit fees for cruise ships were also halved if the vessels dock for min 48 hours in at least 2 Egyptian ports.

The southern entrance to the Suez Canal, Suez Port is a bustling trade port where some of the largest ships in the world converge before setting off on their voyage through the Canal. Our cruise ship was followed by an armed vehicle for the first half of the journey but we didn’t notice it until another passenger pointed it out. After passing under the Mubarak Peace Bridge, the Suez Canal splits into two channels. This is to enable traffic to travel southbound and northbound without having to stop to let ships pass. This is going to be the busiest day of your cruise with people out on deck watching the ship pass through the canal. Some passengers booked on itineraries in the region, however, are making alternate plans.

Note that cabins continuing to Sydney or Melbourne from Europe are booked usually six months in advance. The present, 101-mile-long Canal took 15 years to build, was completed in 1869 and shaved a mere 7,000 miles off the journey from England to India. It is the second to cross the Isthmus of Suez - the first was constructed in the 5th century BC and was in use until the 8th century. On September 17, 2022, SCA issued new resolutions increasing the transit tolls in 2023 by 15% for all ship types, excluding only dry-bulk carriers and cruise ships (tolls increased just 10%).

The “Egyptian Riviera” – Red Sea resorts and diving tours

The second lane will decrease waiting hours from 18 to 11 hours and increase the cana;'s capacity from 49 to 97 vessels a day. The Egyptian Armed Forces participated in the project by digging the new canal and tunnels, and also protecting the location from terrorists. The October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas led to a number of lines canceling port calls (see below), while the latest attacks on cargo vessels in the Red Sea in early 2024 has led to cruise lines canceling itineraries in that region. On February 24, 2016, a new Suez Canal shipping lane was inaugurated by the canal’s authority.

Suez Canal (Transit) port guide

Affected departures include Celestyal's "Three Continents" voyages sailing aboard Celestyal Journey on October 21, 28; November 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2023. “We were on tour of Galilee region at Jordan River when we were all recalled to the ship,” writes CNSJ on Cruise Critic’s Holland America Line message boards. “Awaiting last passengers to return so we can depart for sea as soon as possible. Three days in Holy Land has become three hours…obviously this is beyond HALs control. A Windstar spokesperson told Cruise Critic, “Windstar staff are contacting all booked guests with an offer to move their sailing to a 2024 date. Other destination options being offered aboard Windstar’s ships are Caribbean, Tahiti, Costa Rica and Panama.

A convergence of continents and cultures, the Suez Canal and surrounding regions that flank its 120-mile long and 24-metre deep waterway are steeped in fascinating history. Stretching between the ports of Said in the north and Suez in the south, the Suez Canal is peppered with all manner of picturesque sights and breathtaking landmarks, from rugged untamed landscapes to impressive man-made structures. Sail through the very heart of the desert and experience the region's unforgettable sights while enjoying the best of onboard life with Cunard.

It doesn't contain any locks system as seawater is flowing through it freely. In general, north of Bitter Lakes, the canal flows south in summer and north in winter. MSC is offering passengers the option to move to a new sailing or cancel for a full refund. The line becomes the third cruise operator to fully pull its ships out of the region due to the ongoing conflict. On November 8, 2017, Suez Canal Authority, SCZone and DP World (Dubai-based corporation) signed a partnership agreement to develop an integrated industrial-residential zone at Sokhna. A joint venture company was established between SCZone and DP World (51 to 49).

In a letter to passengers, Cunard said the changes were being made for the safety of passengers and crew aboard the company's flagship. We will keep tabs on the situation as it develops, but if you have a cruise booked in this region it is best to reach out to your cruise line for all the latest information on changes and cancellations. The cruise industry has had to reroute and cancel cruises as a result of violence in the area.

Port Said is the fifth largest city in Egypt and was built purely because of the Suez Canal. You can view the city on the starboard side of the ship transiting southbound (port side, northbound). You don’t have to fly into Egypt in order to witness this man-made marvel. Instead, sail through the Suez Canal on a cruise that visits Greece and the Middle East. As you cruise, you’ll enjoy views of the Sinai Peninsula and the Nile Delta from a unique vantage point. “We were due to visit Israel, Egypt and Jordan next April but spoke to TA this afternoon about canceling."

When deciding what to pack for a cruise to the Suez Canal, keep in mind you’ll be visiting both desert and Mediterranean climate zones during your trip. Pack clothing in fabrics that will breathe easily in both humid and dry heat. You’ll also want to bring light and airy layers that keep your arms and legs covered, since you’ll be traveling through countries where modesty is expected when it comes to clothing. Still, don’t forget your bathing suit, since your time in Greece and Italy may include some blissful beaches. You’ll cruise to the Suez Canal on an itinerary that includes Dubai, Greece, and the Suez Canal, or the Arabian Sea and the Suez Canal, in either April or November. Choose a cruise that departs from Dubai and sails to Rome (via the port of Civitavecchia) or Athens (via the port of Piraeus), or an itinerary that travels the reverse route.

Ongoing unrest in the Middle East has led to a series of changes and cancellations to cruise line itineraries, with more lines opting to re-route their Red Sea itineraries, including World Cruises, away from the conflict. While cruises in the Middle East do not constitute a major region for sailings, it's certainly impacting many lines and people's vacations. However, the low crude oil price now allows cargo ships to avoid paying the costly Suez Canal transition prices (USD 465,000 on average) by taking the long way around South Africa instead. The diving holidays in the Red Sea are also very popular though optional Red Sea vacation deals. Know that snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, sailing, glass-bottom boats, and even submarine trips are at their very best in the Suez Canal region. And, of course, the numerous archaeological sites, museums, the desert safaris.