Cruise Description

18 Night Cruise sailing from Dubai to Istanbul aboard Azamara Quest.

Begin in glittering Dubai and Muscat, a well preserved old city of traditional souks and lovely beaches. Relax with a week at sea, then transit through the Suez Canal. Explore the Holy Land, the ancient mosaics of Paphos, and the sunken city of Kekova, followed by the great sites of Istanbul.

Highlights of this cruise:

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai can already be mistaken for a movie set featuring a futuristic metropolis, and there are big plans still in the works. In the middle of the desert where almost nothing existed 20 years ago, there are so many building projects that foreign construction crews vastly outnumber citizens. Everything is the biggest, tallest, and the first of its kind, including manmade islands shaped like palm trees and the world’s first underwater hotel. It’s a striking collection of styles, including modern interpretations of Islamic architecture. If the planet’s largest shopping mall doesn’t appeal, traditional souks do still exist, including a gold souk housing over 200 retail shops.

Muscat, Oman
An important trading port between East and West since the first century, Muscat’s influence once extended as far as East Africa and Zanzibar. While much of the city’s construction is new, it all displays traditional Arabic stylistic elements, creating a handsome and cohesive whole that incorporates a rich history. Two seemingly invincible mountainside forts from the 1500s flank the palace of the sultan, though today they are both museums. A major highlight is the Muttrah Souq, Muscat’s oldest market. Colorful and bustling, it is a fascinating place to browse, as well as to bargain for exotic spices, traditional handicrafts, or gold and frankincense.

Limassol, Cyprus
A fascinating intersection of cultural influences have shaped Limassol, a vibrant city located in the shadow of the Troodos mountains, on Akrotiri Bay on the southern coast of Cyprus. As one of the busiest ports of the Mediterranean, the city is a robust commercial center for tourism and trade, but remnants of Limassol’s intriguing history practically whisper tales of bygone eras. Known as “the town that never sleeps”, quaint narrow streets are filled with Limassol’s lively character and peppered with tavernas, shops and bars, where you can find fresh local produce, famous wines and fine handmade goods. Visit museums and archeological sites like Kolossi Castle, a former Crusader stronghold, the Grand Mosque in the old Turkish quarter, and the Archaeological Museum. Venture to the old port to explore the medieval Limassol Castle, built by the Byzantines around 1000 AD, and allegedly where Richard the Lionheart married his queen during the Third Crusade.

Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul is supremely exotic, warmly welcoming, and quite unique – after all, where else can you tour Europe and Asia on the very same afternoon? Must sees include Haghia Sophia, decorated in 30 million tiny mosaic tiles, the greatest church in Christendom for 1000 years, then a mosque and now a museum; and Topkapi, palace of sultans, complete with harem quarters. And of course shopping in the Grand Bazaar, a medieval version of a mall, for unusual gifts to take home, stopping along the way in a café for a cup of Turkish coffee or mint tea.

Cruise Itinerary

Itinerary may vary by sailing date and itineraries may be changed at the cruise lines discretion. Please check itinerary details at time of booking and before booking other travel services such as airline tickets.

Available Sailing Dates

• 06 Apr 2015