Kingdoms of the Sun: 18 nights

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is strategically located at the crossroads of East and West, and the traditional trading routes from Asia and the Far East to Europe and further afield are even more significant today than they were hundreds of years ago. Nestled at the very heart of the Islamic world, the country is unique in its embrace of the Western world. Here you can see the contrasts of the nomadic Bedouin people, and the opulence and splendor of the Sheiks, set against a backdrop of Western lifestyles.

Salalah, Oman
Salalah, Oman's ancient incense capital is an oasis with lush vegetation resulting from seasonal monsoons. The city's roads wind through groves of coconut, papaya and banana trees, and roadside stands sell fresh fruit and coconut water. The tropical atmosphere is a striking contrast to the otherwise arid landscapes of the Arabian Peninsula. Even the Queen of Sheba fell under the spell of the area's treasure far greater than gold, and sent gifts of frankincense to impress Solomon. Today, the beautiful sand beaches, cultural history, archaeology and natural diversity draw visitors to this ancient paradise.

Safaga, Egypt
Located on the Egyptian side of the Red Sea, the port of Safaga is the gateway to some of Egypt's most memorable destinations: Luxor, Karnak and Thebes. Luxor has often been called the world's greatest open-air museum, and the number and preservation of the monuments in the area are unparalleled anywhere else in the world. The ancient Egyptians called Luxor "The City" and Homer called it the "City of a Thousand Gates." The troops of Napoleon, coming upon its grandeur, broke into spontaneous applause. The pharaoh's tombs in the Valley of the Kings, and the colossal temples of Luxor and Karnak capture the imagination with splendors that have survived the centuries.

Sharm el Sheik, Egypt
Some of the best snorkeling and diving in the world is found at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Here, on a slender promontory where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Straits of Tiran, Sharm el Sheikh offers access to serene sand beaches, wind-carved cliffs and a wonderland of colorful fish and coral reefs. The area is revered as a place of prophets and miracles, including St. Catherine's Monastery, the most important religious site in Sinai, situated at the base of the mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments.

Sohkna (Cairo), Egypt
Cairo is the capital and largest city in Egypt and Africa. It is the most populous metropolitan area in Egypt and is also one of the most populous in the world. The city has plenty of fine 19th-century buildings, modern art and sculpture, precious green spaces, ancient districts and almost every Pyramid is close by.

Enter Suez Canal at Suez
Suez is a seaport town in north-eastern Egypt, located on the north coast of the Gulf of Suez (a branch of the Red Sea), near the southern terminus of the Suez Canal.

Daylight transit Suez Canal
Suez Canal, an artificial waterway running north to south across the Isthmus of Suez in northeastern Egypt; it connects the Mediterranean Sea at Port Said with Suez in the Gulf of Suez, an arm of the Red Sea. The canal, has no locks because the Mediterranean Sea and the Gulf of Suez have roughly the same water level. The canal has a single traffic lane, with a number of passing bays.

Exit Suez Canal at Port Said
Port Said sits on a landfill at the Mediterranean entrance to the Suez Canal. Convoys of ships parade past the Canal Authority Building here to begin the journey to the Red Sea. Founded at the start of the canal excavations, Port Said once was the major entry point for tourists stepping off the great Peninsular and Orient passenger liners. More recently the city of half a million has been transformed into a duty free port where Cairo consumers flock to purchase cheap goods. Despite the damage of three recent wars and the current emporium atmosphere, this resilient city retains a good deal of character.

Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel
The largest port in Israel, Ashdod is a gateway to Jerusalem, the 5,000-year-old walled city that is considered sacred to more than a third of the people on Earth. Numerous sites exist nearby, including the Jewish sacred Western Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre said to be the site of Calvary and to contain a piece of the true cross. Meander along the seaside promenade, or dip your toes in the Dead Sea waters, long known for their health benefits. Visit the Bar-Gera Museum to view a collection of art by artists who were either banned or persecuted by the Nazis and other fascist governments. The Yad Vashem Memorial Museum is dedicated to the six million Jews who lost their lives during the Holocaust.

Sorrento, Italy
With an idyllic cliff-top location on the Bay of Naples, Sorrento has inspired legends for centuries. In Greek mythology, the Sirens were said to live here, luring sailors onto the rocks. Today, citrus trees scent the air and add zest to the city's limoncello liqueur. Sorrento is an ideal place to savor the local color, and to shop for embroidered linens, cameos and Capodimonte ceramics, all of which can be found in Old Town and along the pedestrian-only Via San Cesareo.

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Originally built by Emperor Trajan who had a villa here, Civitavecchia has flourished as a major port for Rome since the 13th century. Today it is an important ferry terminal and for many travelers the gateway to the Eternal City, Rome. The Renaissance fortifications that surround the harbor area were begun by Bramante and completed by Michelangelo in 1535.

Set sail from Singapore on your 18 nights Kingdoms of the Sun cruise on Seabourn Odyssey. This 19 day cruise visits 9 different ports.

• All Meals
• Fine wine and spirits
• Gratuities, not expected or required
• Complimentary In-Suite Bar (stocked daily)
• Complimentary champagne upon arrival
• Fruit basket Replenished Daily
• Private ensuite
• Flat Screen TV for in-cabin entertainment
• Complimentary toiletries
• In cabin safe
• Exciting entertainment and activities
• Special guest entertainers
• Water Sports