Middle East Cruises
Sun-baked monuments, ancient history and sparkling spires await on one of our Middle East cruises.
The perfect combination of Old World majesty and modern ingenuity, it’s easy to see why the Middle East has become such a sought-after cruise destination. From Dubai’s gleaming hotels and boutique-lined malls to Jordan’s desert landscape, the Middle East is an intoxicating land of contrasts best seen by cruise.
Middle East Cruise Itineraries
Visits to the Middle East by cruise ship are often part of a more extensive cruise itinerary. As such, there are only a few cruise lines offering dedicated Middle East itineraries. Other operators will include the Middle East on voyages in the Indian Ocean, while world cruises and repositioning cruises between Europe and Asia will call at the region to explore highlights such as Abu Dhabi and Oman.
To see the Holy Lands on a cruise, you will need to look for Mediterranean itineraries that feature overnight port stays in Jerusalem, or sailings that include Jordan. Departures from Athens, Istanbul and Rome are frequent in the latter stages of the summer, and will always include stops in other places of interest, such as the Greek Isles.
The best time to cruise the Middle East
The best time to cruise the Middle East is between December and March. During this period, the region’s climate is less intense during the spring and summer months, making shore excursions and land programmes a much more comfortable experience. Most Holy Lands cruises will depart during the summer as part of cruise operators’ Mediterranean season, so make sure you pack the suncream!
Cruise lines that visit the Middle East
Many of the world’s cruise lines visit the Middle East in some shape or form. MSC and Royal Caribbean are amongst the view cruise lines offering sailings solely concentrated on the Middle East, with hotel packages available to ensure you get the most out of your time in the region.
For ultra-luxury cruises in the Middle East, Seabourn offers a series of ‘Arabian Gems’ voyages, while Silversea includes the region on its Indian Ocean cruises from Dubai. Other cruise lines that visit the Middle East include Cunard, Azamara and Regent Seven Seas.
Book Middle cruises with us
For more information regarding Middle East cruises or to receive a quote for a future voyage, please call us on 0800 008 6677. Alternatively, please make an online enquiry for one of the itineraries featured below.
