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From Aqaba to Athens (Piraeus)

Ancient Wonders - Aqaba to Athens via the Suez Canal

Dates:

3 May - 15 May 2028

Duration:

12 Nights

Journey type:

Fly-cruise

No. of ports:

Ship:

Emerald Raiya

Cruise Line:

Emerald Cruises

Fares:

From £10,656 pp

Erechtheion temple at the Acropolis, Athens

From Aqaba to Athens (Piraeus)

Ancient Wonders - Aqaba to Athens via the Suez Canal

Dates:

3 May - 15 May 2028

Duration:

12 Nights

Journey type:

Fly-cruise

No. of ports:

Ship:

Emerald Raiya

Cruise Line:

Emerald Cruises

Fares:

From £10,656 pp

Voyage Itinerary

3 May to 4 May

Setting sail from Aqaba

Aqaba is Jordan's principal beach resort, situated on the Red Sea coast close to the Israeli border. There is not an awful lot here in terms of sights; Aqaba's main attraction is the incredible diving, with crystal clear waters and some of the world's most spectacular coral reefs. Many visitors will choose to skip Aqaba altogether, and use the port as a jumping off point for the 'Rose City' of Petra and the magnificent desert landscapes of Wadi Rum.

5 May

Egypt: Sharm El-Sheikh

Sharm El-Sheikh is Egypt’s most popular beach resort, situated on the Red Sea coast on the Sinai Peninsula. The wonderfully warm waters of the Ras Mohamed National Park offer fantastic snorkelling and diving, and other nearby attractions include the impressive Byzantine-era St Catherine’s Monastery.

6 May

Egypt: Ain Sukhna (Cairo)

Ain Sukhna is the nearest Red Sea port to Egypt's capital, Cairo. Obviously the highlight of your visit may well be the Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza, but on no account neglect a visit to the Egyptian Museum, which has a truly stupendous collection of ancient artefacts, not least, of course, the Tutankhamen treasures.

7 May

Egypt: Suez

8 May to 9 May

Israel: Haifa

Haifa is Israel’s third city, a bustling and multicultural place where six different faiths live side by side. The city is the spiritual centre of the Baha’i Faith, and the beautiful Baha’i Gardens are a must-see. Many cruise visitors opt to skip Haifa and take an excursion to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, two to three hours’ drive away.

10 May

Cyprus: Limassol

The buzzing city of Limassol is southern Cyprus’ main port, an important commercial hub that overflows with bars, restaurants and tavernas. It’s also home to a pleasant old town and medieval castle, and serves as an excellent base for exploring the nearby Troodos mountains.

11 May

Turkey: Antalya

Antalya is the biggest and busiest city on the Turkish Riviera, though there’s more to this place than just roasting on a beach. The historic Kaleiçi district is full of lovingly restored Ottoman mansions, and top attractions include the superb collection of classical treasures at the Antalya Museum, with pieces from the nearby archaeological sites of Perge and Aspendos.

12 May

Greece: Rhodes

Sun-kissed Rhodes, the largest of the Dodecanese islands, is steeped in history; the medieval heart of Rhodes Town was once home to the crusading Knights of St John, and later fell to the Ottoman sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. The hillside village of Lindos, with its pretty whitewashed houses, is another highlight.

13 May

Turkey: Bodrum

Bodrum is one of the trendiest destinations on Turkey’s Aegean coast, with plenty of private yachts bobbing alongside the traditional gulet boats in the harbour. Whitewashed buildings draped in bougainvillea give the town a Greek feel, overlooked by the imposing 15th century crusader castle.

14 May

Greece: Mykonos

Glamorous Mykonos is the most popular of the Cyclades islands, well known as a haunt of the rich and the famous. It’s also the gateway to the nearby island of Delos, home to one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece.

15 May

Arriving in Athens (Piraeus)

Athens is a city awash with historical and cultural significance, but it's much more than an open air museum; this is a dynamic, bustling metropolis, and a place where history is still very much unfolding.

Our tip

Once you have seen the essentials, explore further afield and you will immediately escape the tourist crowds. Visit Kerameikos cemetery, for example, or Mount Lycabettus.

The ship

Emerald Raiya

Capacity:: 128 Guests
Crew:: 92 Staff
Style:: Intimate, luxury cruising akin to sailing on your own private yacht, with enhanced outside spaces perfect for warmer climes.

Following Emerald Kaia in 2026, Emerald is welcoming two new superyachts - Emerald Raiya and Emerald Xara.

What we love

Accommodating up to 128 guests, both ships will reflect the same sleek design as Emerald Kaia, offering a yacht-like feel, spa and wellness-focused facilities and immersive itineraries. Emerald Raiya will make her debut in the Seychelles from December 2026, before making her way to the East Mediterranean in April 2027. Emerald Xara will first cruise the Mediterranean from April 2027, before crossing the Atlantic to the Caribbean from October 2027 - March 2028.

Learn more about Emerald Raiya

Renderings of Emerald Cruises' new yachts, Emerald Kaia, Emerald Raiya, and Emerald Xara

inclusions

Meals in a choice of venues
Beer, wine, soft drinks & select cocktails throughout the day
Complimentary WiFi
Selected excursions in key ports
Use of the onboard marina and water toys (subject to conditions)
Onboard gratuities
Return economy class flights from London (regional departures available on request)
Airport transfers to and from the yacht

Tailor-make your trip

Ways to make it better

Extend your stay in Athens

At Mundy, we have long been hunting for the perfect Athenian hotel - our favourite so far is the Electra Palace in Plaka.
Excursions from Athens

Delphi is an absolute must – you’ll need a full day though, it’s quite a drive.

Will I save by booking with Mundy Cruising?

Absolutely. You'll save money and time by booking with us rather than directly with the cruise line and enjoy more flexibility in your travel arrangements. We have access to preferential rates and exclusive offers, and we offer expert advice on how to get the best value.

Can you help with pre and post-cruise arrangements?

From flights and transfers to hotels and tours, we can help with all your travel needs to make sure your trip is exceptional. What's more, we are members of ABTA and also offer full ATOL protection, not to mention a 24hr emergency contact, so we offer complete peace of mind.

What are the benefits of a small luxury ship?

Because small ships are able to reach smaller ports of call and provide a higher level of service than their big ship counterparts, we believe that small ship cruising is the very best way to travel. Usually they offer more space per person, and an attentive team to make sure you have the very best experience. Small ship cruising offers the very best of the best.

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Why Mundy?

Who we are

Founded in 1970, we have sold more luxury cruises for more years than anyone else in the UK.

Mundy Cruising was the very first cruise specialist in the UK. We have been making the best cruise holidays even better since 1970.

How? Simply by offering our clients more expertise, more personal service, more unique ideas, more fascinating add-ons, more fabulous freebies and more peace of mind.

More about Mundy

We're happy to do all of that over the phone. But if you prefer to chat face to face, why not visit us at our comfortable offices on London's High Holborn - we'd be delighted to see you.