By Virginia López Valiente
An enticing itinerary with no reservations whatsoever. Petra is a must-see, Egypt is Egypt, but a visit to Saudi Arabia is the perfect finishing touch to a week-long trip. This itinerary not only makes MSC Cruises a pioneer, but also the cruise industry and the countries it visits, which have only recently begun receiving cruise ships.
Last July, MSC Cruises made the bold decision to deploy one of its newest ships, the MSC Bellissima, in the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia. Taking the ship out of its traditional sailing regions and becoming the first cruise line to base itself in Saudi Arabia suggested that the first passengers would embrace the opportunity for a new and exciting experience. And so it was, with the cruises in the region proving a success, as the ship sailed continuously from the summer through the 2021-2022 winter season. For the 2022-2023 season, the company decided to switch ships, deploying the MSC Splendida to sail during the winter season.
Just the prospect of a Red Sea cruise attracts travelers who have already sailed through the region but haven't yet visited Saudi Arabia or, likely, Jordan. What a privilege it is to discover the unspoiled beauty of some of these places, arriving comfortably and going ashore to explore many destinations yet to be discovered. And it's for everyone, so why not? Whether it's to experience culture and traditions that date back thousands of years or to enjoy incredible beaches with fabulous weather.
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah is the second largest city in Saudi Arabia. Its port dates back to the 7th century, and the city offers a variety of cultural attractions, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region, especially since Saudi Arabia opened its borders to tourism in 2018. Al Balad, Jeddah's Old City, is a cultural melting pot with beautiful buildings and is one of the many UNESCO World Heritage sites that Saudi Arabia has to offer. Jeddah was founded as a small fishing village some 2,500 years ago, later serving as a port for pilgrims traveling to Mecca to perform the Hajj.
One of Jeddah's most historic sites is Baab Makkah, or the Gate of Makkah, located at the start of the road leading to Mecca. Baab Makkah is a three-arched gate with a large turret on each side, through which hundreds of millions of pilgrims have passed. It is a meticulously preserved historical monument, maintained since the demolition of the wall surrounding Mecca in the 1940s.
But it is Al-Ula, the former capital of the kingdoms that controlled the caravan trade, that truly leaves you speechless. Located in northwestern Saudi Arabia in the province of Medina, it is a top tourist destination waiting to be discovered. It is also an ancient Nabataean settlement that served as the base for a later commercial center welcoming travelers along the famous Incense Route.
The grandeur of Al-Ula lies not only in its rich archaeological heritage but also in its desert landscape and incredible rock formations that harmonize the entire scene, including wonders like Elephant Rock, a massive 52-meter-high rock formation shaped like the animal. Standing at its base, you feel incredibly small.
Located 22 kilometers north of Al-Ula, the ancient city of Hegra, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 and known as "the new Petra," features Nabataean tombs perfectly carved into the rock and mud-brick houses that offer a glimpse into how ancient desert peoples lived. It was the second most important city of the Nabataeans and became Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.
At another stop, you'll reach the city of Yanbu al-Bahr, which is closely linked to the ancient Red Sea spice trade route, along the path of the merchants who traveled this trade route. It also boasts beaches such as Barracuda Beach, located along the coral reef, and Yanbu al-Bahr Beach, where you can enjoy water sports; Al Bugh Beach and Alaiqh Beach, among others.
"What are you doing here?" is a question I was asked several times in Yanbu, an expression of genuine surprise from a town simply unaccustomed to non-Muslim tourists. And it's a valid question, since just three years ago, the idea of Western tourists freely walking through Saudi Arabian cities would have been unthinkable. The country has become one of tourism's last frontiers: a newly opened destination that challenges many preconceived notions about what visiting the kingdom is like. We women didn't wear headscarves and were allowed to dress normally, though mostly in sleeves and trousers.
Egypt
A two-hour journey from the port of Sokhna takes you to Cairo, plunging you into its bustling chaos. With nearly 20 million inhabitants, it's not only the largest city in Egypt, but also on the entire African continent, a mix of old and new buildings and heavy traffic at any time of day.
A city with countless things to see, starting with the incredible Egyptian Museum. The new Giza Museum, not yet open, boasts a collection of some 120,000 pieces, including statues such as those of Pharaoh Amenhotep III and the Menkaure Triad; sarcophagi of nobles and kings; and artifacts from the time of the pharaohs. It also features a secure, private room displaying the jewels and gold mask of Tutankhamun, a pharaoh who didn't achieve great things because he died young, but is one of the most famous because his tomb was found intact. You can also visit the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, a shopper's paradise where haggling is an art form. The Cairo excursion includes a superb buffet lunch at the Ritz Hotel, right across from the museum.
Located 20 km from Cairo on the west bank of the Nile River, the Pyramids of Giza were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. This complex of pyramids forms a necropolis, with three main pyramids—Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure—each built for a pharaoh. It is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing. The necropolis also contains temples and the Great Sphinx, whose head is believed to represent the pharaoh Khafre.
Another long and intense but essential excursion.
Jordan
The ship arrives at the commercial port of Aqaba. The city itself is a paradise for both divers and history buffs. You can dive in the Aqaba Marine Park or explore the Mamluk Castle and the Aqaba Archaeological Museum. But if, like us, you want to visit Petra, the excursion takes you there by road in just under three hours.
Petra is Jordan's biggest tourist attraction, a historical gem and a masterpiece of Nabataean engineering, rediscovered by Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812. Located 240 km south of Amman and 120 km north of the port where we docked, the Nabataeans buried their dead in tombs carved into the mountainsides. The city also boasted temples, a theater, and, after Roman annexation and later Byzantine influence, a colonnaded street and churches.
Petra is also called "the lost city," not only because it was lost for centuries, but also because part of the city was buried under sand due to earthquakes, floods, and sandstorms, and now only 20% is open to visitors. To reach this city, you have to walk through a gorge that winds between rock walls, which is beautiful in itself, and you thoroughly enjoy the walk. The experience is undoubtedly wonderful, but very crowded. On December 6, 1985, Petra was declared a World Heritage Site, which has had a significant economic impact on Jordan, as the country relies on tourism and services.
The cruise alternates these intense excursions with sailing days, two in particular, which allow you to rest, sunbathe and recharge for the next stage.
If, like us, you travel with Yacht Club, the experience is superb. Forget about queuing to board and disembark, and live your first-class experience like there's no tomorrow.
It's so refreshing to take photos in February, sunbathing with a cocktail in hand, in your swimsuit, or relaxing in the jacuzzi while waiting for lunch. On board, you have all the entertainment options you could want, including a casino, theater, specialty restaurants, and plenty of fun. Yacht Club guests have their own restaurant and lounge, and with excursions as intense as those you'll experience on this cruise, every bit of pampering is worth it. The butler service, the kind you think you don't need, is a lifesaver.
The experience is overwhelmingly positive. A winter cruise visiting "wonders of the world" and "UNESCO World Heritage sites," alternating crowded attractions with the wonderful feeling of being one of the first and few privileged people to have set foot in Al-Ula and Hegra, and experiencing what was probably the most breathtaking sunset at the foot of "Elephant Rock.".
Travelling the Red Sea on a cruise is one of the most spectacular ways to admire the stunning coastline and experience the unique and pristine beauty of the sea and nature in this region. The opportunities for growth are numerous, given the number of destinations yet to be discovered.
GORAN MISHEV
Director of excursions on the MSC Splendida
Has it been very difficult to develop a program of excursions on an itinerary like this, which includes destinations as new to tourism as Saudi Arabia?
It has truly been a challenge. First, because destinations like Saudi Arabia are not yet accustomed to tourism, and second, because several of the excursions included in the program are quite far away. It's new for both the destination and the cruise line itself. They have no experience receiving cruise ships, so the challenge is even greater. Cruise ships only arrive in winter; the climate doesn't allow for summer visits. We've made a huge effort to assemble the excursions team for both the company and the ship, but also to find the most specialized local tour operators, who are responsible for arranging the vehicles, guides, entrance fees for all the sites we visit, and so on. In Egypt or Jordan, it's easy; they are very tourism-oriented countries. However, in Saudi Arabia, since they are relatively new to this business, the excursions are still conducted in English because there are no guides who speak other languages. But what we do is have ship's staff accompany them and translate when necessary.
How are the excursions received by customers?
Overall, very good. We have hardly any negative comments, and those that exist are usually due to local restrictions or conditions rather than our service.
The fact that many people are visiting the pyramids in Egypt, and that this might mean the experience isn't what they imagined, is beyond our control. It takes several hours to travel from the port to Cairo or Giza. These are also long excursions, and people arrive tired, but there's no other way to truly immerse yourself in these iconic sites. We have a very high demand for excursions, and in general, we can accommodate everyone, with the exception of the Allula excursion, which is by private plane and has a limited capacity, so it must be booked well in advance.
How many types of excursions do they have?
We offer all kinds of excursions, from panoramic tours that only visit the cities where we climb, to adventure and exploration trips. You can go snorkeling, bungee jumping, take a helicopter tour, scuba diving, horseback riding, and more. All activities are carefully planned and organized to ensure they are both safe and spectacular.
Private excursions are also available. Go to the desert in a 4x4 with just your family or companions, or simply go to the beach or a resort.
Group or private excursions can be booked with the company, with travel agencies, or directly on the ship.
