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The Levant, Egypt and the Red Sea

The Levant, Egypt and the Red Sea

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Description

Nine days in the heart of a region blessed with unparalleled cultural richness: this is the programme that PONANT is offering during this brand-new cruise. Aboard Le Jacques-Cartier, you will sail the seas of the Near East, and discover some of the finest jewels of the great civilisations.

You will board your ship in Antalya. With its Roman port, picturesque narrow streets and beautiful Ottoman homes this town, lying on the southern coast of Turkey, has maintained its many charms.

From Beirut, the Lebanese capital, do not miss the visit to Byblos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inhabited since the Neolithic era, this is one of the oldest cities in the world. One can observe the many vestiges of an extremely rich past, marked by the dissemination of the Phoenician alphabet.

You will then sail to Egypt for three days that will undoubtedly form the highlight of your cruise.

After sailing through the legendary Suez Canal, you will call at Ain Sokhna, the ideal starting point for a visit to the Egypt of the Pharaohs, and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Le Jacques-Cartier will make a brief incursion into the warm waters of the Red Sea before sailing to the other side of the Sinai Peninsula and reaching Eilat in Israel. You will be able to discover the majestic fortress of Massada looming over the Dead Sea.

From the city of Aqaba, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the ancient caravan city of Petra, one of the must-see jewels of this fascinating country at the crossroads of history.

Trip Name
The Levant, Egypt and the Red Sea
Days
9
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Passenger Capacity: 92 cabins Built: 2018/2019 Featuring innovative and environmentally-friendly equipment, elegantly designed staterooms, spacious suites with large windows, and lounge areas that open onto the outside, this new limited-capacity yacht boasting just 92 staterooms and suites will offer you a truly unique cruising experience. As the sixth ship in a new series that remains true to the Ponant spirit, Le Jacques Cartier will embody the unique atmosphere that is the cruise line’s hallmark: a subtle blend of refinement, intimacy and comfort. Aboard this ship that flies the French flag, you will experience the incomparable pleasure of an intimate cruise, with the possibility of exploring an ever-increasing range of destinations in an ethnic-chic ambiance with luxury service. Experience a luxurious setting where the accent is on authenticity and passion for travel. RESTAURANTS As it is an essential part of French culture, gastronomy will naturally have pride of place aboard this new ship. To the back of Deck 4, you will find a 260 m² panoramic restaurant which can accommodate all of our passengers in a single sitting. Designed differently to that on our other ships, this dining area, which opens onto the outside, will have a buffet of salads, desserts and cheeses at your disposal. Our discreet and attentive crew will provide table service for hot meals. In a relaxed atmosphere, an outdoor grill on Deck 3 will serve grilled meats with a variety of salads and desserts. PUBLIC AREAS  Le Jacques Cartier has many common areas that are designed and equipped to meet all of your needs while preserving the intimacy of each passenger. A 140 m² reception area includes: A reception/concierge desk, An excursions desk, The ship’s administrative services, The sales office, manned by our Guest Relations Officer, Our 50 m² boutique which sells clothing, jewellery, beauty products, postcards and various accessories, Toilets accessible to passengers with reduced mobility. A new hydraulic platform with adjustable height provides:   Easier boarding than on any other cruise ship, Easier Zodiac embarkation and disembarkation for expeditions, Easier access to the sea for swimming and practising various water sports such as kayaking or paddle-boarding. A pool deck offering: A pool with a panoramic view, equipped with a counter-current swimming system, A pleasant solarium, An outdoor bar and lounge with armchairs and sofas. A 200 m² main lounge which can accommodate all of our passengers to share convivial moments and to host activities organised during the day or evening. Lastly, a theatre that seats 188, equipped with: The latest sound and lighting technology, A LED wall as the stage backdrop, for the projection of high-resolution images and videos.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 ANTALYA
On the Turkish Mediterranean coast, discover the seaside resort of Antalya. While the city sports magnificent fine sandy beaches, it is also known for its significant historical heritage. Many vestiges bear witness to the importance of this former Roman port, such as Hadrian's Gate, built in the year 130 in honour of the visiting emperor. In the old town, it is possible to admire magnificent Ottoman houses with flowery gardens, as well as the broken minaret, built on the ruins of a former Byzantine church. The city’s surroundings also provide an opportunity to discover major archaeological sites, such as that of the ancient city of Aspendos, renowned for its impressive Roman theatre.
Day 2 - Day 2 LARNACA
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Day 3 - Day 3 BEIRUT
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Day 4 - Day 4 PORT SAID
The city was born from an audacious but successful project: to link the Mediterranean with the Red Sea in the 19th Century and create a maritime route via a canal. The Suez Canal crosses the desert for 162 kilometres and was inaugurated in 1869 in the presence of Empress Eugenie, then nationalised by Nasser in 1956. In the city, to the rhythm of the colourful carts, you will admire the colonial houses with their large balconies, which give Port Said its cachet.
Day 5 - Day 5 CROSSING THE SUEZ CANAL & AIN SUKHNA
Without the waterway linking the Red Sea to the Mediterranean this part of the world would be an arid sandy desert inhabited by a few nomads. The Suez Canal slices through 162 km of desert and was inaugurated in 1869 in the presence of Empress Eugenie, then nationalised by Nasser in 1956.Ain Sukhna, which means “hot spring,” is located in the Gulf of Suez, facing the Red Sea. Around fifty kilometres from the entrance to the Suez Canal, and less than two hours from the Egyptian capital, it is an elegant seaside town that is popular with wealthy families from Cairo. Ain Soukhna is an ideal base for discovering the marvels of Ancient Egypt.
Day 6 - Days 6 - 7 AIN SUKHNA
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Day 7 - Day 8 EILAT
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Day 8 - Day 9 AQABA
Located in the Red Sea within the eponymous gulf, Aqaba offers Jordan its only access to the sea. At the crossroads of the land and sea routes that linked Asia, Africa and Europe, the town is rich with more than 5,000 years of history. The warm waters of the Red Sea attract holidaymakers and divers to this seaside destination; the underwater sites home to coral and fishes are some of the most beautiful in the world. Aqaba is also the gateway to the magnificent desert of Wadi Rum and the marvellous site of Petra.
Day 9 - Please Note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

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Inclusions

    • In partnership with PARIS MATCH.
    • A brand-new cruise between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, in the footsteps of ancient civilisations.
    • UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the rupestrian sites of Cappadocia (before your cruise), Byblos from Beirut, the Pyramids of Gizeh (from Ain Sokhna), from Eilat the majestic fortress of Massada looming over the Dead Sea, Petra (after your cruise).
    • Crossing the Suez Canal.
    • Sail in the Red Sea, surrounded by some of the world’s most renowned seabeds.
    • Before your cruise, you have the opportunity to discover the sublime region of Cappadocia with its “fairy chimneys”, its troglodyte homes and its rock-hewn sanctuaries.
    • After your cruise, you have the opportunity of visiting the ancient caravan city of Petra, with its beautiful tombs and its walls sculpted out of solid rock.

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