A cruise is fun… After countless trips, it was time for us to experience what is probably the most frowned upon way of travelling today. It was time for a cruise on the Red Sea. We surrendered to the prefabricated plans of third parties and surrendered to our fate of meeting individuals from whom there was no escape. Unless the open sea.
We used the cruise on the Red Sea as a ferry with a sleeping place to reach our destinations. These were Petra in Jordan and the pyramids in Egypt. The visit to Saudi Arabia was a nice bonus. For us, the cruise was like visiting a shopping centre on a Saturday afternoon. It was also a nice multi-cultural experience on the ship. Not only the passengers, but also the board crew consisted of all kinds of nationalities.
With MSC, the choice fell on an Italian cruise line and therefore the best pizza and pasta was guaranteed. Italians don’t mess around here. So join us on our trip to two wonders of the world. Come with us to Petra, this special place on earth. Come with us to Saudi Arabia. This crude oil on the way to becoming a tourist hotspot. Climb the pyramids of Giza with us. Fuck! The PYRAMIDS OF GIZEH! More sea is not possible without getting your feet wet. Lose all sense of space and time on a cruise ship like Eric Packer in David Cronenberg’s Cosmopolis in his stretch limousine.
Logbook 06.01.2023: The arrival
Before the journey begins, you need to get to grips with the planning. The Thailand spontaneous holidaymakers among you also need a visa to travel to Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The visa for Saudi Arabia is particularly time-consuming, as a lot of questions have to be answered and additional international health insurance has to be purchased.
As we didn’t want to let our travel individuality be completely taken away from us, we extended the trip to include a day trip to Luxor. So two days before embarkation, we flew to Hurghada (Egypt) and the Marriott Beach Resort.* It was a great hotel for two nights that met our requirements. However, we couldn’t imagine spending an all-inclusive holiday there. The location and the clientele were not appealing enough.
Logbook 07.01.2023: Luxor day trip
Before boarding the ship a day later, we went on a day trip to Luxor and the sights there. We were picked up on time at 04:10 in front of our hotel and travelled four hours to Luxor in a van with a total of eight passengers. We passed countless controls and always travelled at breakneck speed. No matter how bad the roads or the current traffic situation with all the road users (pedestrians, cars, lorries or donkeys) was. The accelerator pedal was always slammed down. The return journey also took another 4 hours, so that we were back at the hotel at around 9.00 pm. Here’s what happened in between.
Baptism in Egyptian
First we visited the Karnak Temples (ca. 2000 BC). The largest temple complex in all of Egypt with its majestic columns, mysterious hieroglyphics and an atmosphere filled with awe and mysticism. The monumental size of the temple complex and the ornate details of the reliefs allowed us to experience the splendor and power of ancient Egypt up close. It was an unforgettable experience that captured our imagination and gave us a deep insight into the fascinating history of this amazing place.
Afterwards, we had the option of taking a boat trip along the Nile for an extra €10 or €15. Unfortunately, our boat was not the advertised felucca (sailing boat), but a standard tourist motorboat. We also missed the sight of “crocodiles and fruit on an island”. We got our first taste of the overbearing character of some Egyptians. Nevertheless, the trip on the Nile was one of the most memorable experiences of our entire trip. And we were still to see a lot more.
A ride through Ancient Egypt
On the other side of the Nile, we first had lunch. If we hadn’t chosen the optional Nile crossing, we would have been taken across by bus. But the Nile crossing is simply a must. Well fed, we then went to an Alabasta workshop and of course had the opportunity to pick up some souvenirs. Unfortunately, we had to decline with thanks. We simply couldn’t fit 20 kg stone figures into our suitcases. Nor 5 kg ashtrays. After what seemed like endless minutes of silence and looking at the ground in embarrassment, we finally set off again.
We went to the Valley of the Kings. This highlight of the day saw us visit three tombs. The Valley of the Kings revealed to us a fascinating world beneath the desert landscape, in which the tombs of ancient rulers lie hidden (including Tutankhamun, Ramses III, IV, IX and Hatshepsut). The sight of the elaborate hieroglyphs, colorful murals and monumental sarcophagi immersed us in the magnificent world of Ancient Egypt. Among the hills and rocks, we felt like explorers uncovering the secrets of past civilizations and reliving the magic of history.
Divine rulers on earth
The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut was the next stop. The mortuary temple of Hatshepsut was an oasis of peace and beauty, nestled in the barren desert landscape of Luxor. A imposing architecture and majestic columns made us pause in awe of the greatness and ingenuity of the ancient Egyptians. The knowledge of the history of this impressive queen (the first female ruler in Ancient Egypt) and the artistry of her final resting place made a deep impression on us and left an unforgettable impression.
The last stop (for a very quick photo stop) was the Colossi of Memnon. Looking at these imposing figures, we felt transported to another time, when these monumental statues guarded the entrance to the mortuary temple of Amenophis III. Their majestic appearance and the legends surrounding their mysterious chants brought the atmosphere of ancient Egypt to life. It was a moment of awe and wonder that plunged us deep into the fascinating history of this legendary place.
Logbook 08.01.2023: Embarkation in Safaga (Egypt)
After our first ‘baptism of fire’ in Egypt, we continued on to Safaga for embarkation. We booked a transfer in advance via Booking.com and were taken to the port by a driver in about an hour. Here, our suitcases were snatched straight from our hands and taken to check-in (for a corresponding tip, of course).
Then it was finally time. After all the formalities, we were allowed to board our ship, the MSC Splendida. When booking the cruise, we chose the “Aurea” package, deck 13 with the “Piero Della Francesca” cabin including balcony, thus securing our basic equipment for our time on the ship. There was also a drinks package, internet package, excursions (more on this later), Bali massage and breakfast in the cabin. The whole booking process and the organization on the ship were smooth. The package we booked and our cabin were fantastic. Especially the breakfast on the balcony on the open sea in the morning was unforgettable. By choosing “My Choice Dining”, we were also not tied to fixed meal times in the evening and were perfectly catered for a la carte.
Cruise on the Red Sea: Sailors ahoy!
We were simply overwhelmed by the sheer size of the ship and were lost for a moment. “What are we going to do now?” we asked ourselves and used the time waiting for our suitcases to drink our welcome champagne in our cabin. The safety briefing afterwards was a lot of fun. We gathered in the lobby and were then sent to our rooms to watch a video. At the end of the video, we were asked to dial the phone number shown to confirm that the video and content had been recorded. We realized this after the 4th or 5th loop.
The additional procedure of taking the safety vests and arriving at the assigned checkpoints was also a challenge that not every guest was able to master straight away. Even long after the safety briefing had finished, you could see lost and confused passengers wandering around the ship with their vests – wonderful. We will come to the activities on the ship and the equipment later. At 22:00 we departed from Safaga harbor and glided out into the Red Sea.
Logbook 09.01.2023: Aqaba (Jordan)
The first land excursion was to take us straight to the famous archaeological site of Petra and the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jordan. I remember how surreal the visit to Petra seemed years before and we thought at the time that we would surely never see it and now we were about to experience what the Nabataeans had created in 300 BC. These are the special kicks in life.
After breakfast, we went to the main hall on the ship and at 09:40 the passengers who had booked a tour were distributed to the various buses. Incidentally, we had to hand in our passports. The bus then headed off on a four-hour journey. This took us up to an altitude of 1,500 meters. Fog and snow greeted us there. The police even had to drive up to ensure the safety of the coach. This doubled the journey, which would originally have taken just two hours, from the port in Aqaba to the village of Wadi Musa and the entrance to the rock city of Petra.
Petra – Wonder of the Modern World
After arriving at the Petra Visitor Center, the group walked about 2 km (half of which was in the Siq gorge, the only access to the former capital of the Nabataeans) to the landmark of Petra – the Treasury (Khazne al-Firaun). When the breathtaking sight of the majestic Khazne al-Firaun appeared before me for the first time, I felt like I was in a fairy tale from 1001 Nights. The bright red rock formations and ornate carvings of the temple looked like a magical work of art unfolding before my eyes. It was a moment of pure reverence and admiration that brought home to me the beauty and magic of this ancient treasure in the heart of Jordan.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have much time to enjoy this moment to the full, so after a few photos we continued into the rock city. We made it as far as the Nabataean amphitheatre and then had to turn back. You can spend days in Petra and not see everything. For our purposes, the visit was perfect to get a first impression.
Cruise on the Red Sea: History carved in stone
We left again at 17:00 and it was very important that we didn’t forget our packed lunches (a land of milk and honey awaited us on the ship, but some guests insisted on their food). We were back on the ship at 19:30. We had dinner and enjoyed our 5-course menu and the disco late into the night. It was an impressive day, but we had to put a lot of effort into it. What remains is carved in stone and will never let us go.
Logbook 10.01.2023: Sea day on the Red Sea
Hungover but happy, we enjoyed our first of two breakfasts on our balcony and started our first of two days at sea. We used the day to explore the ship, relax and enjoy a hot stone massage. We also had to print the visa for Saudi Arabia, which was quite a chore, especially for nerds like us who had done their homework beforehand. In the evening there was a gala with the captain’s presentation.
The MSC Splendida offered plenty of entertainment for young and old. From dancing and live music to cinema and karaoke, everything was on offer. Numerous bars, cafés and restaurants left nothing to be desired. The lunchtime pizza was particularly recommended – what a treat. Every day there was a program booklet with the activities and events. During our entire stay, we didn’t even get to try out nearly everything. So boredom was definitely out of the question, especially considering the four tours we undertook. Petra was followed by two tours to Saudi Arabia, which we were very excited about.
Logbook 11.01.2023: Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)
On this day, we had a half-day tour to the old town of Jeddah and the second largest city in Saudi Arabia. It was convenient that we were already docked in the port of Jeddah. We were able to sleep in that day and start the tour at 13:00 (after a nice pizza breakfast, of course). The bus first took us along the coastal road (Corniche) until we were dropped off in the old town.
The old town of Al Balad has existed since the 7th century and is a UNESCO heritage site. We followed our guide through the streets and alleyways and were fascinated by the architecture. The state buys up plots of land and houses from private ownership and renovates them. This results in a great picture and the historic core is preserved. Highlights of the tour include Salloum’s House, Matbouli House and the most famous and largest house, Nassif, with over 106 rooms.
Cruise on the Red Sea: The gateway to Saudi Arabia
It was an entertaining tour with great impressions of the city and our first visit to Saudi Arabia. It wasn’t particularly spectacular, but the peaceful and positive impression still remains. The people were very reserved, friendly and curious. Photos were taken of us and not the other way around. At 19:00 we found ourselves back on the ship. Incidentally, no alcohol was served here for two days (during the time on the Saudi Arabian coast).
Logbook 12.01.2023: Yanbu (Saudi Arabia)
If you’re going to Saudi Arabia once, you might as well spend a second day there. No sooner said than done, so off we went to the port of Yanbu. On this day, a tour to the second most important city in Islam was on the agenda. Specifically to Medina. The tour took a total of 10 hours, of which three hours were spent on the outward and return journey. Unfortunately, this was the most amateurish tour of all and not good value for money (among other things, we didn’t even get half of the stops advertised and the original guide was quickly replaced by some guy).
But now to the content and actually very interesting part of the tour, which describes the history of Islam. The first stop was the Quba Mosque, which is the oldest mosque in the world and whose foundation stone was laid by the Prophet Mohammed on his journey from Mecca to Medina. After visiting this mosque (only from the outside), we went to eat in a local restaurant (of course, food is important after just a few hours away from the all-you-can-eat buffet).
Cruise on the Red Sea: The city of the prophet
After the many, but nevertheless very tasty meals (and the pleasantly reserved, but always friendly service), we went to the second most important Islamic pilgrimage site, the mosque of the Prophet Mohammed (Masjid An-Nabawi) with his tomb. At this point, a greeting to my Turkish buddies. An amazing sight awaited us there. Of course, as non-Muslims we were not allowed in, but the sheer size from the outside and the rush of people at prayer times was overwhelming. I wondered spontaneously at this point whether the heads of state of Saudi Arabia also go to pray five times a day.
However, we were then allowed into the adjoining museum to the mosque to see the development of this building. From the first stone to the latest additions, every construction phase is depicted in great detail using models. The nearby Al-Ghamama Mosque seems almost inconspicuous. This oldest mosque in Medina is said to have been the place where the Prophet Mohammed recited his oath prayer in 631. Before returning to the ship, we had the opportunity to buy local specialties such as dates and perfume.
Logbook 13.01.2023: Sea day on the Red Sea
A little spoiler first: we made it through this Friday the 13th well on our second day at sea. We enjoyed the sunrise, the time change and breakfast in our cabin respectively on the balcony. It was a wonderful experience and heralded the penultimate full day at sea. It was time to enjoy the peace and quiet again and get to know the ship. We worked our way from bar to bar and drink to drink until the sun went down and our thoughts drifted off…
We glided across the endless expanse of the ocean while keeping control of our direction and following the rhythm of the waves. Each port of call represents a new stage in our life’s journey, full of adventure, encounters and unforeseen twists and turns. Ultimately, a cruise is a metaphor for the journey of life itself, where we embark on the journey without knowing what awaits us at the end, but with the confidence that each stage will leave us richer in experiences and memories.
Logbook 14.01.2023: Ain Suchna (Egypt)
Arriving at the last stop and the port of Ain Suchna, we headed to the gigantic highlight I never thought I would see. We set off on the tour that would take us to and inside the pyramids of Giza. The day started at 6:00 am with the buses gathering and splitting up. We then set off at 7:00 am. The drive through Cairo was already an event and had us staring through the bus window in amazement at its size.
The first stop was the Egyptian Museum in Cairo (EMC), which we reached at around 10 am. It was like a civil war here, but only the strongest survive and so our guide beat us through the crowds to the museum’s main attractions. These included real mummies and the treasure of Tutankhamun. Where was the treasure found? Correct. In Luxor and the Valley of the Kings.
Cruise on the Red Sea: A journey through the millennia
It was lunchtime and we made our way to the restaurant for lunch. We ate at the Steigenberger Giza. After a seemingly endless lunch break, we finally made our way to the pyramids of Giza (Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinos), which we could already see ahead of us. We made a stop at the middle pyramid (Chephren). The sight of these 4,000-year-old buildings, on which the Transformers had already fought, seemed surreal to me.
For an optional €5 per person, it was even possible to enter or descend into the interior of the Khafre Pyramid. This insane experience between thrills paired with claustrophobia and historical significance with absolute curiosity was enormous. It took 20 minutes to descend the sometimes narrow canal in a bent posture. When you arrive at your destination (a chamber with an empty sarcophagus), there is the obligatory Egyptian guard who wants to take your money for photos. Pay no further attention and don’t be intimidated by these figures who sell their own story for a few dollars.
Cruise on the Red Sea: Monuments of mankind
The way back took 10 minutes and once you’re up there, you have to be careful that no crooks “help” you take photos. Because they will grab your cell phone or camera and only hand them back once you have paid them. The whole thing is simply repulsive. I didn’t care because I was still full of adrenaline from the pyramid visit and high on fresh oxygen. Unfortunately, we had to get back on the bus and drive to the next stop. The bus was located a short distance from the pyramids so that we could get a panoramic view of the buildings.
By the way, the largest pyramid is the pyramid of Khufu, 145 m high and 230 m long. It is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and one of the largest structures in the world. It is the oldest of the three pyramids of Giza. However, the oldest pyramid in the world is the Pyramid of Djoser. This is located approx. 20 km south of Giza. There are still over 100 pyramids in Egypt today. It should not be forgotten that they were “only” burial sites and not palaces.
Cruise on the Red Sea: A glimpse into the eternity of Egypt
Finally, we went to the Valley Temple and the world-famous Great Sphinx of Giza. The first sight of the Sphinx is like an encounter with an ancient guardian of time, majestically watching over the desert landscape of Egypt. Its imposing profile rises against the backdrop of the pyramids as the sun slowly rises over the horizon and bathes its contours in golden light. It is a moment of awe and wonder that gives you the feeling of immersing yourself in the fascinating history of Egypt.
Logbook 15.01.2023: Disembarkation in Safaga (Egypt) and conclusion
After enjoying the unforgettable experience of a cruise on the Red Sea and visiting the fascinating countries of Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, I can only say that this trip touched us deeply and left a lasting impression. From the ancient wonders of Egypt to the breathtaking beauty of Petra and the undiscovered pearl of Medina, each stage of this journey was like a new chapter in a book full of adventure and discovery.
All in all, this cruise through the Red Sea was an unforgettable journey full of events, insights and unforgettable moments that will stay with us for a long time to come. It was a journey that enlivened our senses and inspired us to explore the world even more with open eyes and an open heart.
Fancy a cruise? Then read on here.
In principle, there are no dress code requirements on the ship. There are recommendations for the dinner and event. The information will be provided in good time.
You can spend days in Petra and not have seen everything. For our purposes, the one-day visit was perfect to get a first impression.
Yes, with a passport and visa.
The oldest pyramid in the world is the Pyramid of Djoser. It is located approx. 20 kilometres south of Giza and is over 4,500 years old.
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