MSC Cruises adds Egypt to Red Sea...

Sailings now include a stop in Cairo as well as embarkation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

MSC Cruises will enhance its Red Sea seven-night itinerary on MSC Splendida for the winter 2022/23 season with 33 shore excursions available, including the addition of Cairo, Egypt, and three embarkation ports in Sokhna Port and Safaga in Egypt, as well as Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

MSC Splendida’s seven-night sailings call at Sokhna Port, Safaga for Hurghada and Luxor in Egypt; Aqaba for Petra in Jordan; Jeddah for AlUla in Saudi Arabia and Yanbu in Saudi Arabia.

An extended 13-hour stay in Sokhna Port, Egypt allows for trips to the Great Pyramid of Giza, the only one remaining of the Seven Wonders of the World.

MSC also revealed a nine-night holiday under its Fly&Cruise programme with a two-night pre-stay in Cairo before the seven-night voyage.

Sokhna Port for Cairo, Egypt
Shore excursions available: 5
What the brochure says: Open the door to Egypt’s capital city, with world-class sights not to be missed. Dive into history at the Great Pyramid of Giza, the last intact ancient Wonder of the World and one of the most recognisable sights on the planet. Located on the Nile River, Cairo is also known as the ‘city of a thousand minarets’, enriched with its famous mosques, including the stunning Citadel of Saladin. Visits to vibrant bazaars provide an opportunity to haggle for the best price for a souvenir to remember the incredible city by.

Safaga for Hurghada and Luxor, Egypt
Shore excursions available: 13
What the brochure says: The port town of Safaga is just down the beautiful coastline from the popular resort town of Hurghada, known for its incredible beach life. Here, discover stunning white-sand beaches stretching north and south of the town. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, explore the grandeur of the ancient city of Luxor. See where pharaohs ruled and step back in time during a visit to Luxor Temple or Karnak Temple, or head to the world-famous Valley of the Kings.

Aqaba for Petra, Jordan
Shore excursions available: 8
What the brochure says: An undeniable highlight is a visit to the Wonders of Petra, the ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage site in the middle of the Jordanian desert. After laying hidden for centuries, this jewel of early engineering was rediscovered in 1812. Hewn out of the solid rock by Nabatean Arabs more than 2,000 years ago, it served as their capital city and featured a sophisticated water conduit system that turned the city into an artificial oasis.

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Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Shore excursions available: 3
What the brochure says: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia’s second largest city, blends history and modernity. The 'City of Culture and History' tour offers a journey through centuries of local traditions. The extraordinary archaeological site of Hegra became the first UNESCO World Heritage site in Saudi Arabia and is home to more than 100 monuments. The ancient city of AlUla, situated in a desert setting in the Hijaz mountains, is where pilgrims, travellers and permanent settlers have gathered for centuries. Surrounded by an ancient oasis, the old town of AlUla is dominated by a citadel dating back to the 10th century and has some 900 brick houses, 400 shops and an atmospheric maze of alleyways and squares.

Yanbu, Saudi Arabia
Shore excursions available: 4
What the brochure says: Known as ‘the diving capital of Saudi Arabia’, Yanbu offers adventure-seekers snorkelling at Iona Coral Reef where they can enjoy a kaleidoscope of fish, marine flora and the sunken wreck of the British ship Iona. The crystal-clear waters of Yanbu beckon with some of the most colourful reef systems in the world. For guests who prefer to kick back and enjoy the sun, the Baridi Island Getaway offers hours of relaxation, fun, sun and a crystal-clear sea on a secluded spot of Baridi Island.

For more information, visit www.msccruises.com