AIDA opens booking for 2025/26 World Cruise sailing via the Middle East

The German cruise line AIDA Cruises has opened bookings for its 4-month World Cruise taking place during 2025 and 2026, with port calls in the Middle East scheduled despite the security crisis in the Red Sea.

AIDA Cruises’ World Cruise aboard AIDAdiva will depart Hamburg on November 10th, 2025, sailing around the world and visiting 53 ports in 28 countries before returning to Hamburg on March 18th, 2026.

Although AIDA Cruises had to cancel its repositioning voyages from the Arabian Gulf for the current cruise season in Dubai due to the ongoing security crisis in the Red Sea, the 2025/26 World Cruise will still be featuring the region prominently.

The 128-day adventure will be the longest voyage around the world in the company’s history and during its final leg will sail from Singapore to Dubai and then on to the Mediterranean via the Red Sea and Suez Canal, with calls in Aqaba, Jordan (for the Lost City of Petra) and Alexandria, Egypt (for the Pyramids of Giza in the Valley of the Kings).

During the World Cruise, AIDAdiva will also visit the east and west coasts of the USA and Japan, a first for any AIDA World Cruise, and will celebrate New Year’s Eve in Hawaii.

Other highlights include calls in New York and a transit of the Panama Canal. AIDAdiva will also make its debut in San Francisco, passing the Golden Gate Bridge on her way into port.

After calling in Sri Lanka, Mumbai, Dubai, Egypt and Jordan, AIDAdiva will sail through the Mediterranean en-route for Hamburg, with stops in Malta and Lisbon.

Petra and the Pyramids of Giza

The Lost City of Petra in Jordan and the Pyramid of Giza are major attractions on any Word Cruise passing through the Red Sea.

Petra, known as the Rose City for its pink-hued rock-cut architecture, offers a glimpse into the ancient Nabatean civilisation. The Treasury, Petra’s most iconic structure, is carved directly into the rock face. This archaeological wonder, once a bustling trading hub, now serves as a testament to human ingenuity and the crossroads of cultural exchange.

The Pyramids of Giza, standing tall on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, are a monumental tribute to the ancient Egyptians’ architectural prowess. The Great Pyramid, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, continues to mystify scholars with its construction precision and purpose. Together with the Sphinx, these structures encapsulate the rich history and achievements of a civilization that has profoundly influenced the world.

Both Petra and the Pyramids of Giza not only offer breathtaking sights but also an invaluable journey through time, showcasing the brilliance of ancient societies. They remain indispensable to understanding humanity’s shared heritage.