Day 1 - Sunday, April 16, 2023
Aqaba, Jordan

Located on 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.
Pre-cruise, Aqaba is the gateway to the magnificent desert of Wadi Rum and the stunningly beautiful Petra.

Day 2 - Monday, April 17, 2023
Fun Day at Sea!

Today, you’ll settle into your luxurious new home, Le Jacques Cartier. During our day at sea, make the most of the many services and activities onboard. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness center. Or let yourself be tempted by the heated swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. It’s important to use this day to prepare yourself for all that lies ahead, because starting tomorrow, you’ll experience a whirlwind of wonders.

Day 3 - Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Ain Sukhna (Cairo), Egypt

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’s 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, including The Great Pyramids and The Sphinx.

Day 4 - Wednesday, April 19, 2023
Crossing the Suez Canal

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. This singular waterway has changed our world more than any other.

Day 5 - Thursday, April 20, 2023
Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel

On the eastern shore of the Mediterranean, you’ll discover Ashdod, the largest port in Israel. A former Philistine city, the town is home to the only museum in the world dedicated to the culture of this ancient people. Ashdod is also famous for being one of the gateways to Jerusalem. This city is one of the most sacred in the world and is fascinating due to its millennia-old history, its spirituality, and its incredibly rich religious heritage. Within its defensive walls, the Old City holds over 200 historic monuments including the Western Wall (or Wailing Wall), the Dome of the Rock, and the Holy Sepulchre. Visiting Jerusalem makes for a fascinating and moving experience as you immerse yourself in this mystical and magical place. Jerusalem is approximately 1 hour east of Ashdod.

Day 6 - Friday, April 21, 2023
Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel

You’ll certainly appreciate having two full days and an overnight in the incredible region. You may choose to return to Jerusalem today for further exploration or perhaps head out to the Dead Sea, but if you’re looking for a complete change of pace, we recommend hitting Tel Aviv, approximately 45 minutes north of Ashdod. With its pulsing artistic vibe, miles of picturesque city-side beaches, fascinating neighborhoods, and exciting nightlife, Tel Aviv has it all.

Day 7 - Saturday, April 22, 2023
Limassol, Cyprus

Limassol rests on the southern coast of Cyprus. It’s known for the centuries-old Limassol Castle, home to the Cyprus Medieval Museum and its collection of pottery and tombstones. On the seafront is the Prokymea (Molos) Sculpture Park, with sculptures by Cypriot, Greek, and international artists. To the northeast is the Limassol Archaeological Museum, exhibiting artifacts from the Neolithic to the Roman periods. No visit to this fascinating region is complete without a visit to ancient Kourion, an UNESCO-protected archeology park with over 6,000 years of history.

Day 8 - Sunday, April 23, 2023
Rhodes, Greece

With its particularly agreeable climate, the island of Rhodes invites you to walk its pathways and discover its immaculate villages and sumptuous medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the center of the island, the mountains are covered in forest, and on the western slopes, we find vineyards and crops. Rhodes also owes much of its charm and its character to the Knights of St John, who reigned over the island from 1310 to 1522 and built impressive defensive walls punctuated with majestic gateways. Don’t miss this delightful island with its peaceful beaches and its large walkways, perpetuating the myth of the famous Colossus, the legendary statue that is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Day 9 - Monday, April 24, 2023
Karovostasis, Folegandros (Greece)

Folegandros is a true treasure concealed in the Cyclades archipelago. You approach this mountainous island from the south-east side of continental Greece. The blue and white houses built on a steep plateau in its main town, Chora, is a feast for the eyes. Why not climb up to the belvederes and admire the view of the Aegean and the port of Karavostasi. The jetty in Karavostasi port leads to a lovely beach where you can enjoy the turquoise water. Higher up, Ano Meria, a village surrounded by terrace farms, offers a magnificient panorama over the sea.

Day 10 - Tuesday, April 25, 2023
Nafplion, Greece

The engaging town of Nafplion is staggered up green hillsides of the Argolic Gulf, to the east of the Peloponnese. Don’t be surprised by its extremely varied cultural heritage. Some of the must-see visits are the ancient agora on the plateau of Akronafplia, Italianate arcades in Syntagma square, and the baroque fortress of Palamidi on a hillside of the same name. At the top of the hill, views of the gulf and the surrounding mountains are simply awesome.
PRO TIP: If you want to chill by the water’s edge, walk along the Arvanitia promenade to a beautiful creek in the shade of cedars and cypresses.

Day 11 - Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Athens, Greece

The end of our journey takes us to Greece’s ancient capital city, Athens – home to some of the most striking monuments from the Ancient World. We encourage you to spend a few extra days here to explore the many wonders.

And whether you fly home today, extend here for a few days on your own, or head off to further adventures around the region, we wish you only the best.

The Super Yacht Advantage

If you’ve ever wanted to explore the world in style in a friendly and intimate setting, VACAYA Luxe’s small-ship voyages have distinct advantages over their big-ship counterparts. Small ships gracefully dock in quaint harbors that bulkier oceangoing vessels simply can’t access, while also calling on classic destinations our guests long to visit again and again. The ability to call in ports of all sizes allows for more intriguing itineraries that become the focal point of the journey. Small ships also tend to stay longer and dock closer to town, giving you more time to explore. There are no crowds to beat, so you can see places at their most pleasant and authentic.

Sustainable Tourism
As concerns about environmental sustainability have become more prominent in the collective conscious, a greater emphasis has been placed on responsible travel practices. As lovers of the sea and the wondrous treasures of our planet, VACAYA and PONANT are committed to the protection of the environment and respecting indigenous communities. Larger cruise ships with guests numbering in the thousands can easily overwhelm popular ports with smaller populations. Small ships place less of a burden on the ports of call and do a much better job of meeting environmental regulations.

PONANT has incorporated many environmental practices into their business model, whether it’s sustainable dining practices, partnering with local communities, partnering with international NGOs, supporting local research, or building ships with new technologies that reduce their environmental impact. PONANT’s strong sustainability policies have earned it many prestigious awards, including the Magellan Award for Eco-Friendly “Green” Cruise Ship.

Combined with the French Touch of PONANT
As the only French cruise company, PONANT is an ambassador of the “French Touch” around the world. With a French crew, discrete service, refined cuisine, and partners that embody the same spirit of excellence and refinement, PONANT does their utmost to maintain a unique cruising philosophy.

French crew
The French Touch means, above all, a French crew to welcome you and ensure your comfort and well-being throughout your cruise. In an atmosphere of elegant luxury, you’ll find 5-Star Service onboard. It’s a unique travel experience that is simultaneously authentic and refined. In addition to the attentive cabin stewards throughout the ship, all suites on Deck 6 come with additional butler service to see to your every need. They’ll even unpack your bags and repack for you at the end of the voyage!