Windstar Cruises will spend a full season in the Middle East for the 2023/24 cruise season, sailing roundtrip from Dubai 11 times between November and March.

The cruise line’s all-suite, 312-guest Star Legend will also sail two cruises one in each direction) from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Aqaba, Jordan.

The roundtrip Dubai cruises will be 10-day itineraries, while the Jeddah to Aqaba cruise, and Aqaba to Jeddah cruises will both be 9-days in length.

Star Legend post-refit

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This will be Windstar’s first full cruise season in the Middle East, and its first time homeporting in Dubai, the primary homeport for cruise ships based in the Arabian Gulf during the winter cruise season.

Star Legend will arrive in the Arabian Gulf in November, 2023, after an 18-day Wonders of Arabia voyage from Athens to Dubai.

The cruise will transit the Suez Canal and spend five days in Egypt and Jordan, including an overnight in Luxor to take in the majestic Karnak and Luxor temples, followed by two days in Oman.

“With impressive UNESCO sights, beautiful beaches and wildlife, top-rated golf courses, amazing snorkeling and diving, and of course, great shopping, Windstar is excited to introduce our guests to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf with new itineraries in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar,” saidChristopher Prelog, President, Windstar Cruises.

Kayaking on Sir Bani Yas Island

The 10-day roundtrip Dubai cruises will be called Sparkling Sands & Cities of the Persian Gulf itineraries, and they will feature overnights in Doha and Abu Dhabi; a late night in Ras Al-Khaimah; stops in quieter cities like Fujairah or Khasab; as well as time on Sir Bani Yas, an island known for its pristine nature and wildlife conservation.

The 9-day Arabian Nights & Egyptian Days are the Jeddah-Aqaba and back itineraries, which include an overnight in Sharm el-Sheikh and in Safaga with the opportunity to visit Luxor, and the chance to soak in the turquoise waters of the resort ports of Ain Sokhna and Hurghada.

At the end of the season, Star Legend will sail from Jeddah to Athens via the Suez Canal, the 12-day voyage will feature an overnight in Luxor; a later night in Ain Sokhna, Egypt; a transit through the Suez Canal; and a day in Heraklion, Crete.