Middle East Cruise Deals

The importance of the region through the modern era can hardly be understated, with the remnants and architecture of civilisations throughout history often preserved for visitors to enjoy.

Many major cruise lines will take in the Middle East as part of their wider tours, with Holland America Cruises offering visits to Salalah in Oman and Safaga and Alexandria in Egypt as part of its Grand Africa Voyage.

The port of Safaga is a perfect starting point for an exploration of Luxor, described by Holland America as an "open air museum" showcasing the delightful riches of ancient Egypt, with sights including the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, as well as myriad statues and pillars.

P&O Cruises is another leading firm taking travellers to the Middle East. Passengers on its liners will travel through the historic Suez Canal, a vital historical trade route that has survived the rise and fall of empires, with no little impact on recent history, with ramifications of the 1956 crisis felt far outside the region.

Travellers on the firm's Oriana Grand Voyage can also absorb the wondrous sultanate of Oman's capital, Muscat, which boasts a meting point of Arabic, African and Asian civilisation to show off the Middle East at its best.

Princess Cruises also gets in on the action, with its Holy Land Cruise holiday on the Pacific Princess taking passengers from Greece to Israel via Turkey. Sights on the trip include holy city of Jerusalem and the port city of Haifa, which features the stunning Baha'i World Centre, in addition to the economic hub of Egypt's Port Said.