Deckplan
Please note that all beds can be configured as twin or double with the exception of suites 601 and 602 which both feature a fixed double bed.
A journey from Cyprus to Saudi Arabia aboard the MS Hebridean Sky
Join the MS Hebridean Sky for this passage through antiquity as we sail from Cyprus to Saudi Arabia discovering a wealth of sites along the way. Exploring by sea allows us to incorporate a heady mix of fascinating places with great ease and we will visit the magnificent ‘Rose Red City’ of Petra and the ancient city of Hegra in Saudi Arabia which has only recently opened to tourists. These sites are irresistible attractions for the genuine traveller and as you explore these vast and complex Nabataean cities, whose wealth came from their proximity to the ancient Middle East trade routes, you cannot help but be impressed by the industry and sophistication of this ancient civilisation.
Our voyage begins in the Cypriot port of Limassol from where we will visit the Temple of Apollo and the ruins of Kourion with its Greco-Roman Theatre and lovely coastal views. Following a transit of the Suez Canal we spend time in Egypt exploring some of the great monuments of the pharaohs. Visit Cairo’s magnificent Egyptian Museum, see the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx and spend a day exploring the mesmerising underwater world of the Red Sea. We continue to Jordan where there is the option to spend time in Petra, a city set deep in the Edom mountains that was hewn directly from the rock by the Nabataeans and an amazing feat of engineering. After a relaxing day at sea we arrive in Saudi Arabia where we spend our final days discovering the captivating site of Hegra, the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the fascinating historic cities of Yanbu and Jeddah.
Our itinerary represents small ship cruising at its best and is timed for October when temperatures will be pleasant for exploring and, with the aid of our knowledgeable local guides and excellent Guest Speaker, we will learn of some fascinating civilisations. In addition to visiting some of the world’s most impressive and historic sites, there will be time to relax on board the all-suite MS Hebridean Sky. With just over 100 passengers, our trips ashore will be a pleasure and whether your interest lies in ancient history, modern politics or simply the joy of experiencing new places, this journey has much to offer.
The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Fly by scheduled flight. Arrive this afternoon and transfer to the MS Hebridean Sky as we moor overnight.
This morning we drive to the Temple of Apollo, one of the main religious centres of ancient Cyprus. We will continue to the ruins of Kourion, a city built in 1200 BC. The most spectacular site at Kourion is the Greco-Roman Theatre which has been completely restored and is used today for open-air musical and theatrical performances. We will also visit the Medieval Kolossi Castle before returning to the ship for lunch. The remainder of the day is free to explore at your own pace.
A relaxing day at sea, maybe join a lecture or find a spot on deck as we sail towards the North African coast.
Spend the day in transit of the Suez Canal and the Great Bitter Lake.
A full day tour is dedicated to the capital city of Cairo. From our berth in Sokhna we drive to the impressive Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the tombs of the great pharaohs and their queens. After lunch we visit the Egyptian Museum with 107 halls that are separated into seven sections. The museum houses statues, jewels and treasures of Tutankhamun. We will visit the Amarna Room and see the Fayoum portraits, and monuments from the later periods from the Greeks and the Romans. For those returning to Cairo an alternative tour will visit Memphis, the first capital of Egypt, founded by King Narmer in 3200 BC in a strategic position on the west bank of the Nile. In the open-air museum we can see the enormous Colossus of Ramses II. Nearby is the necropolis at Saqqara which includes the Mastaba of Ti and the tomb for King Djoser which was Egypt’s first pyramid, a landmark achievement of this ancient civilisation’s development of architectural wonders.
After a morning at sea we arrive at the resort town of Sharm el Sheikh. It is, however, offshore that our interest lies with the clear waters of the Red Sea. Maybe join a snorkelling tour to the Ras Mohamed National Park. Designated a National Park in 1983 the reef ecosystems here protect a diversity of fish species and coral. Alternatively take a glass bottomed boat tour as we view some of the many species of colourful fish, coral and sponges that live in these waters.
From our berth in Aqaba we drive to the breathtaking Nabatean city of Petra which was carved out of rose-red sandstone about 2,000 years ago and has been voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Walk past the Obelisk Tomb and then through the Siq, the narrow 1.2 kilometre gorge that leads to Petra’s most impressive monument, the Treasury, which was carved out of the pale reddish sandstone in the 1st century BC. Pass by the dozens of classical Nabatean ruins and tombs known as the Street of Facades, the remarkable 3,000 seat Theatre, the Royal Tombs, the Colonnaded Street, the Byzantine Church, the Temple, the Monumental Arch and the mighty Qasr el-Bint Faroun. After lunch amidst the ruins of Petra we have a little free time to explore further independently before returning to our ship. Alternatively, for those interested in staying by the Red Sea we will arrange a transfer to one of the city’s beach clubs where you can spend the day relaxing.
Spend the day cruising as we continue our journey south.
Arriving into Saudi Arabia at Al Wajh there will be a choice of activities today. A full day tour will drive inland to the Alulah region and ancient Hegra, the largest conserved site of Nabataean civilisation south of Petra. Hegra was both a trading centre and military stronghold enabling the Nabataeans to control the Arabian caravan trade and the site has been left practically undisturbed for 2,000 years. Here, surrounded by desert, we can find over 100 well-preserved tombs hewn from the rocks of the Hijaz mountains, featuring beautifully carved facades dating back to the first century BC. The largest of the tombs is that of Lihyan, son of Kuza at 72 feet tall. Alternatively explore the city of Al Wajh, once a key port for silk road merchant ships. Visit the atmospheric old town and market, the 200-year-old Al-Ashraf Mosque, which overlooks the bay, and Al Wajh Castle which was built in 1875 toward the end of the Ottoman period.
Over lunch we sail into Yanbu. With a history dating back at least 2,500 years Yanbu is one of the oldest ports on the Red Sea. The city was built around the port which was a staging post on the spice and incense route from Yemen to Egypt and the Mediterranean as well as being the natural port for the ancient oasis of Madinah. Spend the afternoon exploring the historic city including the recently restored Souq Al Lail (night market) which was opened at night to serve the resident fisherman and viewing the city’s unique Hejazi architecture found along the Red Sea coast. Also visit the restored former home of T.E Lawrence who lived in the city from 1915-1916.
The historic crossroads of pilgrims and traders, and the traditional gateway to Mecca, Jeddah is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon as we discover the traditional architecture and oriental scents of the city. Arriving over lunch we will explore the atmospheric streets of Al Balad, Jeddah’s UNESCO listed historical centre, feel the buzz in the local souqs and spend time at Beit Nassif, one of the city’s best preserved historical coral houses and now a museum and cultural centre. Built in the 1880s it is also known as the “house with the tree” as this was the only tree in Jeddah until the 1920s.
Disembark this morning and transfer to the airport for our scheduled indirect flight to London.
21 October to 1 November 2024 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
Amundsen Deck Standard Suite | £7495 | £6995 |
Byrd Deck Superior Suite | £7995 | £7495 |
Mawson Deck Premium Suite | £8495 | £7995 |
Mawson Deck Corner Suite | £8995 | £8495 |
Scott Deck Deluxe Balcony Suite | £9995 | £9495 |
Shackleton Deck Owner's Balcony Suite | £10495 | £9995 |
Shackleton Deck Hebridean Suite | £11495 | £10995 |
Amundsen Deck Standard for sole use | £8495 | £7995 |
Byrd Deck Superior for sole use | £8995 | £8495 |
Tour Reference Code: SCHKS211024
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • 11 nights aboard the MS Hebridean Sky on a full board basis • House wine, beer and soft drinks with lunch and dinner • Noble Caledonia onboard team including Guest Speaker • Shore excursions • Gratuities • Transfers • Airport taxes • Port taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance, visas.
Important Visa Information: Visas will be required for Egypt, Jordan & Saudi Arabia. We will provide any supporting documentation required and further information will be sent to booked passengers. This information is correct at the time of printing and should the information change, we will be in touch with booked passengers with updated guidance 12 weeks prior to departure.
NB: Please note that our full day tours in Cairo, Petra and Hegra will be 9 to 10 hours in duration including lunch ashore.
Please note that all beds can be configured as twin or double with the exception of suites 601 and 602 which both feature a fixed double bed.
The MS Hebridean Sky is one of our two flag ships and sister vessel to the MS Island Sky. Both vessels were built in the same ship yard in Italy at similar times and share the same excellent attributes that make them two of the finest small ships in the world.
Tim Stevens read Classics and English at Cambridge. In 1968 he joined BOAC as a graduate trainee and entered the Foreign Office in 1972 working in the South Asian Dept until starting training for ordination in Oxford. He was a parish priest in East London and Essex before being appointed Archdeacon of West Ham, Bishop of Dunwich and eventually Bishop of Leicester where, from 1999 to 2015, he was heavily engaged in interfaith relations and a visiting professor in Church and Society at De Montfort University. Tim was chair of the Children’s Society between 2004 and 2010 and Convener of the Bishops in the House of Lords, between 2009 and 2015, where he spoke regularly on public policy issues especially on Welfare Reform and inter-faith relations. In 2015 he was responsible for planning and leading the events surrounding the re-interment of Richard lll in Leicester Cathedral. Tim is now on the global governance board of St John International and a trustee of the Woolf Institute in Cambridge which researches and supports understanding between Jews, Christians and Muslims.
A journey from Cyprus to Saudi Arabia aboard the MS Hebridean Sky
A voyage of discovery visiting Egypt, Jordan & Cyprus aboard the MS Hebridean Sky with Guest Speaker Guy de la Bédoyère
Speak to one of our advisors on 020 7752 0000