Suez Canal Cruises

Introduction to the Suez Canal

Completed in November of 1869, the Suez Canal was built as a passageway between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Located in Egypt, this passage was designed to eliminate the need for ships to travel the entire way around Africa in order to reach their destination. This manmade canal is just over one hundred and twenty miles long and only seventy-nine feet deep. The northern terminus is Port Said and the southern terminus is found at Port Tawfik, in the city of Suez.

Most Suez Canal cruises run between the Sinai Peninsula and the Nile River encompassing an area that is rich in culture and history. A trip through the Suez Canal is a beautiful site and the many stops allow visitors to see all the sites and attractions that make this region of the world so fascinating. Weather within the Suez Canal region is good all year round, so you can choose one of the Suez Canal cruises for any time or season of the year.

Popular Docking Sites

A lot of the Suez Canal cruises begin in Barcelona. Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and is located along the Mediterranean Sea. It is rich in history and was home to the 1992 Olympic Games. If your cruise begins from this port you may want to spend an extra day viewing these sites prior to boarding.

The port of Alexandria is another popular stop for Suez Canal cruises, allowing you to go into the town and view the many historic sites. One popular tourist attraction is the Roman Amphitheatre, which includes mosaics and green marble that can still be seen today. There are many temples still standing today that are well worth a visit to see.

Almost all Suez Canal cruises dock at Port Said, which is found at the northern tip of the canal. This visit allows travelers to venture into the historic city of Cairo. This town is home to the Museum of Antiquities, where visitors can view the tomb of the famous King Tut and all his treasures.

Dubai includes both historic and modern touches to its cultures. The most popular tourist attraction is the Dubai Museum, which is located in the Fahidi Fort. Its unique building materials include sea rock and gypsum and the fort was built to protect the city in 1800. The museum is packed full of artifacts detailing Dubai’s rich history.

Aqaba has great diving excursions that attract divers from all over the world. For a little history, a stop at the Archaeological Museum and Mamluk Fort are both good sites to see.

The port of Safaga allows you to venture into town and visit the various unique features this area has to offer. They are most famous for the unique black sand dunes and their crisp, clean unpolluted air. They have beautiful beaches and the water is highly saline, which is very good for your skin. People can also be found at one of the mineral springs whose water is said to help people with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Scuba diving and windsurfing are popular watersports in this area.