Middle East Cruise News

Azamara Cruises 2024 World Cruise aboard Onward to call in Middle East

Azamara has revealed the itinerary for its 2024 World Cruise aboard new ship Azamara Onward, with several port calls in the Middle East included.

Azamara Onward will visit 40 countries and 60 continents during her 155 night World Cruise in 2024, and will call in Egypt for the Great Pyramids and Aqaba for the iconic ancient rock city of Petra.

Azamara Onward

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Azamara Onward will depart Port Everglades on January 5th, 2024, for a series of immersive and intimate experiences over 155 nights, visiting 40 countries and 60 continents, including 22 overnight stays and 27 late nights in port.

“We are thrilled to finally unveil our World Voyage,” said Carol Cabezas, President of Azamara. “With opportunities to visit the Seven Wonders of the World and other iconic sites such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Galapagos, and the Black Sea, we are allowing our guests to check off all their bucket list destinations in one sailing and to connect with more countries and cultures than ever before.”

“Not only are we taking our guests further, but we are also encouraging them to travel deeper with our unique overnight land experiences, designed to bring travelers to the heart of the destination and giving them enough time to appreciate its culture,” she added.

Overnight experiences include a stay on a Great Barrier Reef island, a journey through the cobblestone streets of Transylvania, Romania to learn about the life of Vlad the Impaler, who inspired Dracula, and an exploration of the centuries-old rock-cut churches Turkey’s Cappadocia, with accommodation in a cave hotel.

The Pyramids of Giza outside Cairo.

Highlights of the 2024 World Cruise: 

Great Pyramids of Giza (shore excursion): Guests are driven to Egypt’s largest city, Cairo. It’s here at the Giza Plateau where the Great Pyramids are found, the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence. An Egyptologist will guide guests through this mortuary complex to the mysterious Sphinx. In addition, travelers will explore other sites such as the Museum of Antiquities and cruise down the Nile river.

Petra (shore excursion): Guests will walk through the Siq, the narrow, winding gorge that leads to the mysterious desert city of Petra, Jordan. Known as the “Rose Red City” for the color of stone from which it was carved, Petra is home to ancient royal tombs, Colonnaded Street, and the Temple of Qasr al-Bint.

Great Wall of China (three-night land excursion): Travelers will become fully immersed in Beijing with a visit to the Great Wall of China, a guided tour through the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, and a rickshaw ride through the hutongs, or narrow alleys dating back to the 16th century.

Chichén Itzá (shore excursion): Guests will fly over Caribbean waters and the Mayan Riviera’s tropical jungle to Chichén Itzá, where a tour guide will lead guests through the ruins and immerse travelers in the ancient Mayan way of life.

Taj Mahal (three-night land excursion): Travelers will fly to New Delhi for sunrise and sunset visits to the Taj Mahal. Guests will also explore Agra Fort, the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, and I’timād-ud-Daulah tomb, the Taj Mahal’s precursor.

Christ the Redeemer (six-night land excursion): Travelers will enjoy a full exploration of Rio de Janeiro, including a visit to Corcovado to view the towering Christ the Redeemer statue, a cable car ride to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain, and a trip to Iguazú Falls to see both the Brazilian and Argentinian sides of the one of the world’s largest waterfalls.

Colosseum (shore excursion): Guests will travel back in time to the world of gladiatorial glory inside the Colosseum. A local guide will lead the small group through the 2000-year-old amphitheater that once seated up to 55,000 spectators.

Azamara’s World Cruise comes with over US $22,000 in exclusive amenities, including the company’s signature AzAmazing Evenings – designed to connect guests to the local culture of the destination – $7,000 in onboard credit, business class air travel, a pre-voyage hotel stay and gala, access to exclusive World Voyage events, a premium beverage package for two, and more.

Shore excursions and overnight land excursions will be available at an additional price.

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