Regent Seven Seas Cruises unveils 2028 Grand Hemispheres Journey calling in Middle East

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has placed a Middle East-focused segment at the centre of its newly announced 2028-2029 Legendary Journeys Collection.

The itinerary, a 101-night Grand Hemispheres Journey, features an extended run of calls across the region, with overnight stays in Dubai, and calls in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Aqaba and elsewhere in the region.

The itinerary, operated by Seven Seas Explorer, departs Athens on October 21st, 2028 and includes a sequence of ports spanning the Eastern Mediterranean, Red Sea, Arabian Peninsula, and Arabian Gulf before continuing east towards Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific.

The Middle East portion of the voyage includes calls in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, with an overnight stay in Mumbai following the Gulf segment.

The itinerary features a Suez Canal transit, calls at Aqaba and Jeddah, and multiple ports in the Gulf including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, forming one of the most extensive regional deployments within a single long-haul cruise itinerary.

“Today’s luxury travellers view time as the ultimate indulgence, offering not only the freedom to explore more deeply, but the space to truly switch off and reset,” said Wesley D’Silva, President, Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “The 2028–2029 Legendary Journeys Collection is thoughtfully designed with this in mind. Longer stays and fewer time pressures create a more meaningful connection to the destination.”

He said the structure of the programme is intended to prioritise depth over pace, with extended port calls and overnight stays forming a key component of the itinerary design.

“Longer stays and fewer time pressures create a more meaningful connection to the destination, complemented by exceptional inclusions and the signature service that defines the Regent experience,” D’Silva said.

The Grand Hemispheres Journey forms part of a wider collection of three extended voyages ranging from 61 to 101 nights, spanning Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific. Across the collection, 14 overnight stays are scheduled, alongside a programme of included shore excursions at each port of call.

The remaining itineraries include the 101-night Grand Pathways of Europe aboard Seven Seas Mariner, sailing from Barcelona to Amsterdam, and the 61-night Grand Silk Seas Passage aboard Seven Seas Splendor, operating between Tokyo and Hong Kong.

Across all three voyages, the itineraries are structured to integrate multiple regions within a single sailing, reflecting continued demand for extended, multi-continent travel.

The inclusion of the Middle East within the Grand Hemispheres Journey highlights the region’s role within long-haul cruise routing, particularly as a link between Mediterranean and Asian itineraries.

Each voyage includes a pre-cruise hotel stay, a shoreside event, and a range of onboard services, with the programme designed to support extended time at sea. Additional inclusions cover shore excursions, dining, beverages, and selected onboard services, aligning with the line’s all-inclusive model.

Grand Hemispheres Journey overview (2028–2029)

Ship: Seven Seas Explorer

Duration: 101 nights

Departure: October 21st, 2028 – Athens

Arrival: January 2029 – Auckland

Regions: Mediterranean, Middle East, Indian Ocean, Asia, Australia, South Pacific

Middle East calls: Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Qatar

Key ports: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Aqaba, Muscat

Highlights: Suez Canal transit, overnight in Mumbai, extended Gulf segment