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As the main gateway to Mecca, the spiritual and cultural importance of Jeddah cannot be underestimated. The city itself is the site of settlements dating back to 700BC and UNESCO has deemed the city of such importance that it has been a World Heritage Site since 2014. Unlike much of the rest of the country, the city has a cosmopolitan feel, perhaps due to the huge numbers of Muslims that flock to the city each year, not to mention the fact that the city is a major port and transport hub.

As the main gateway to Mecca, the spiritual and cultural importance of Jeddah cannot be underestimated. The city itself is the site of settlements dating back to 700BC and UNESCO has deemed the city of such importance that it has been a World Heritage Site since 2014. Unlike much of the rest of the country, the city has a cosmopolitan feel, perhaps due to the huge numbers of Muslims that flock to the city each year, not to mention the fact that the city is a major port and transport hub.

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

Sokhna is a new port develoment located about 25 miles (40 km) south of Suez on the Red Sea, in an area referred to as the Suez Special Economic Zone (SSEZ). It gives access to Cairo, the capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa.

Cruising the Suez Canal is a truly unique experience, offering a fascinating glimpse into the history and engineering marvel of this vital waterway. As you glide through the clear blue waters, you'll witness the bustling activity of ships passing by, and marvel at the stunning landscapes of the Egyptian desert.

Cruising the Suez Canal is a truly unique experience, offering a fascinating glimpse into the history and engineering marvel of this vital waterway. As you glide through the clear blue waters, you'll witness the bustling activity of ships passing by, and marvel at the stunning landscapes of the Egyptian desert.

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

Olive groves, mountains and beaches made for swimming and sandcastles; Crete is as beautiful as it is fascinating. See Greek mythology come to life as you visit ancient ruins like Knossos, home to the legend of the labyrinth and its Minotaur. 

Relax and enjoy the facilities and entertainment onboard your ship. If the weather is good take some sun and sunbathe on the pool deck. Otherwise explore below deck the wide range of activities that will be available during the day. Perhaps you prefer to find a quiet spot and catch up on your reading.

Though there's something for everyone in Ravenna -- located in Italy's Emilia-Romagna region -- it's a treasure trove for art and history lovers with its historic buildings decorated with Byzantine mosaics, museums highlighting a variety of topics and historic churches, cathedrals and basilicas. And, of course, Dante's tomb is located here and draws lots of visitors. Ravenna is also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts including hikers and divers. --By Shayne Thompson, Cruise Critic contributor

Of all the cities in the world, only Paris comes remotely close to matching Venice in terms of sheer beauty and romance. You've seen it in photos and films, but there's no substitute for the reality -- the shimmering Grand Canal, the gondolas slipping down watery alleyways, the elegant palazzos emerging straight from the sea. 

Venice once ruled the Mediterranean as a shipping power, amassing vast wealth and producing some of Europe's greatest artistic and cultural treasures. But, over the centuries, Venice has declined a bit and now has less than half the population it had at its peak. What remains of its former grandeur -- the crumbling palaces, the sumptuous art in its museums and churches, the fantastic rituals of Carnevale -- makes Venice a living tribute to the past. 

Aside from a number of charming squares, such as the famous Piazza San Marco, Venice is mostly composed of a warren of narrow canals and streets spread over more than 100 islands. These tangled passageways are an attraction among themselves. There are few better cities to simply get lost in, particularly if you want to escape the tourist hordes that clog the main arteries around San Marco and the Rialto Bridge. 

So once you've seen the major sights, fold up your map, and set off on foot. You'll discover pretty, residential neighborhoods with colorful flowerboxes in the windows and clean laundry billowing in the breeze. You'll discover tiny trattorias where the locals enjoy the catch of the day. And, away from the vaporetti (water taxis) and motorboat traffic on the Grand Canal, you'll discover one more pleasure of this place, aptly dubbed La Serenissima -- the unexpected quiet of a city without cars.