Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
30% Ponant Bonus
19 m²
2
Ancient Splendours of Greece & Egypt
Aqaba - Athens
Dates:
31/3/2025
to
8/4/2025
days
nights on board
This 9-day itinerary combining history and archaeology will take you from Jordan to Greece. During your cruise, Le Bougainville will visit several unmissable sites between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
Throughout your journey, you will benefit from an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. During this cruise, admire the archaeological site of Ephesus from Kusadasi; from Patmos, discover the Monastery of Saint John and the Cave of the Apocalypse where the last book of the New Testament was revealed to John the Apostle; or visit the Theatre of Epidaurus and the town of Nafplio. The diversity of experiences on offer promises you intense and varied moments (to discover the full range of excursions, go to the itinerary tab).
After your embarkation in Aqaba, Jordan's only port, you will reach Ain Soukhna, the gateway to the Great Pyramids of Egypt.
You will cross the world-famous Suez Canal, built by Ferdinand de Lesseps and widened recently to facilitate trade. You will then join Rhodes, whose old medieval town, built by the Knights of St John, is surrounded by ramparts. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands and was once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: its famous Colossus.
Le Bougainville will then take you to Patmos, also known as the 'Jerusalem of the Aegean Sea', this divine island where Saint John is said to have received his visions features unique landscapes that blend long white beaches with rocky coves.
Your ship will finally set sail to the charming town of Nafplion, the departure point for visiting the famous Epidaurus Theatre and the Mycenae site, listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Your cruise will end in Athens, the mythical city dominated by the Acropolis and its monuments that form the most extraordinary architectural and artistic collection bequeathed by Ancient Greece to the rest of the world.
Ref : EG310325
Your itinerary
From Jordan to Greece via Egypt, take a deep-dive into history and discover wonderful archaeological sites. UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Petra and Wadi Rum from Aqaba (embarkation port), the Great Pyramids of...
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Your trip in detail
Choose your stateroom
Choose your stateroom
Complete your trip
Complete your trip
Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
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1/11/2024 to the 16/11/2024
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Diptyque Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Highlights
- From Jordan to Greece via Egypt, take a deep-dive into history and discover wonderful archaeological sites.
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Petra and Wadi Rum from Aqaba (embarkation port), the Great Pyramids of Giza, Memphis and Saqqarah from Ain Sukhna, the medieval city of Rhodes, the monastery of St John and the Cave of the Apocalypse on Patmos,), the Mycenae ruins and the Epidaurus theatre from Napflio, the Acropolis in Athens (disembarkation port).
- Make the most of an excursion included* per person per port of call during your cruise thanks to the selection made by our destination experts.
- The crossing of the mythical Suez Canal.
- In the heart of the Aegean Sea, discovering the Greeks Islands: Rhodes and Patmos.
*Pre-bookings open around two months before the start of the cruise; requests are processed on a first-come first-served basis, subject to availability.
Ports of Call & Excursions
31 March 2025 - Aqaba
Embarkation 31/3/2025 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Departure 31/3/2025 at 6:00 pm
Located in 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. Aqaba is also the gateway to the magnificent desert of Wadi Rum and the marvellous site of Petra.
1 April 2025 - At sea
Arrival 1/4/2025
Departure 1/4/2025
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
2 April 2025 - Ain Sukhna
Arrival 2/4/2025
Departure 2/4/2025 evening
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 is 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.
3 April 2025 - Crossing the Suez Canal
Arrival 3/4/2025 late afternoon
Departure 3/4/2025 late afternoon
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.
4 April 2025 - At sea
Arrival 4/4/2025
Departure 4/4/2025
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
5 April 2025 - Rhodes
Arrival 5/4/2025 early morning
Departure 5/4/2025 late afternoon
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 centre 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. Do not 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.
6 April 2025 - Patmos
Arrival 6/4/2025 early morning
Departure 6/4/2025 early afternoon
Patmos is one of the legendary must-see islands in the Dodecanese. This is where Saint John resided, presumed author of the last book in the Bible. The cave of the Apocalypse and the Saint John Monastery are dedicated to him. These sites, which are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage, are located at the top of a hillside planted with vines and orchards. On the shore, the crystalline coves of Kambos and Lampi offer absolutely gorgeous swimming areas.
7 April 2025 - Nafplion
Arrival 7/4/2025 early morning
Departure 7/4/2025 late afternoon
The engaging town of Nafplion is staggered up green hillsides of the Argolic Gulf, to the east of the Peloponnese. Do not 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 as well as 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. If you want to chill out by the water’s edge, walk along the Arvanitia promenade to a beautiful creek in the shade of cedars and cypresses.
8 April 2025 - Athens
Arrival 8/4/2025 early morning
Disembarkation 8/4/2025 at 7:00 am
The Greek capital city is located on the edge of the Saronic gulf, in the east of the country. It bears a plural name in reference to the first villages that surround the Acropolis. You will be enchanted by the rocky plateau presided by its monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage. In the city below, you can visit some of the liveliest districts in Athens: Plaka, with its maze of colourful streets, and where, in the evenings the drifting aroma of moussaka and garlic prawns will tickle your taste buds. The National Archaeological museum and the Cycladic Art Museum are also some of the city’s key attractions and allow visitors to discover Athens’ cultural past.
Memphis & Sakkara
From the pier, board your coach for the approximately two-and-a-half hour drive to the Dahshur area south of Sakkara, where stand the pyramids of Dahshur: the Red and the Bent pyramids.
The constructor of these pyramids is thought to have been Snefru (2575-2551 BC), the first ruler of the Fourth Dynasty. He is also thought to have built the pyramid at Maidoun. The Red Pyramid is thought to be older, and the Bent Pyramid was built out of limestone quarried locally.
Following the visit of Dahshur you will head to Memphis, the first capital of Ancient Egypt. Founded in 3100 BC by Menes of Tanis, Memphis was once considered the largest city in the world, with a population exceeding 30,000. At its zenith, the city had many temples, palaces and gardens.
Upon arrival, you will see the Ramses colossus, an enormous limestone statue. Over 10 metres (33 feet) long, this giant lying statue depicts Ramses II, the pharaoh of Egypt from 1290 to 1224 BC. The Alabaster Sphinx and the ruins of the Temple of Ptah can also be viewed during your visit.
From Memphis, you will proceed to the restaurant for lunch.
Next, you will be taken to Sakkara, the necropolis of ancient Memphis, where you will visit the famous Step Pyramid of Zoser. Built 5,000 years ago by the engineer Imhotep, the pyramid and its surrounding complex were designed to be as grand as they were unique and revolutionary. At the "cemetery city" of Sakkara, visit the inside of one of the mastabas or funerary chambers.
You will then rejoin your coach for a two-and-a-half hour drive to Ain Sukhna.
-
This excursion involves approximately 1.2 miles (2 km) of walking on sandy paths, with approx. 200 steps. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and sun protection. Lunch is included in the tour. Pre-booking is required to participate in this tour.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.The Grand Egyptian Museum & the Pyramids
This full day excursion provides a visit of the most important and significant sites of Egypt's: the Grand Egyptian museum, the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
From the pier of Ain Sukhna, board your coach for a 2.5-hour drive to Cairo, via the desert road. During your journey, your guide will provide interesting facts about the sites you will be visiting.
Once arriving, you will visit the Great Pyramids of Egypt. The Great Pyramids are considered the most famous of Egypt’s attractions and the only monuments left of the Ancient Wonders. The three main Pyramids at Giza were built as tombs by Cheops, his son Chephren, and Chephren’s son Mykerinus to preserve each of the pharaohs’ mummified body for eternity. For centuries, these unique structures have intrigued the world while surviving the rise and fall of great dynasties.
Southeast of the Great Pyramids stands the Sphinx, carved out of solid rock around 2650 BC. Steeped in legend and superstition, the Sphinx was a monument either to the sun god Ra or to Pharaoh Chephren. It has the head of a man and the body of a lion. The monument faces east, probably to greet the rising sun and the return of life each day.
After enjoying lunch, you will visit the Grand Egyptian museum. This museum is an immense case of concrete, glass and steel that will display among 100,000 objects covering 5,000 years of history. One of the museum highlights will be the visit of King Tutankhamen exhibition. Tutankhamen is the boy-king who ruled Egypt for nine years. Its royal treasure represents a collection of more than 5,000 pieces.
After the visit of the museum, you will drive back to Ain Sukhna where your ship is docked.
-
Pre-booking is required to participate in this tour. This excursion involves approximately 1.2 mile (2 km) of walking on flat ways with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The lunch is included on your tour. Cameras are permitted at the Pyramids. Opening of the Grand Egyptian museum is expected to be in October 2021. In case of delay and if the museum is not open on the date of our port of call, its visit will have to be cancelled.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.Le Bougainville
Welcoming and spacious common areas, refined open-to-the-sea design, sleek exterior lines, a marina to make access to the ship's zodiac inflatables easier, hi-tech equipment, an outdoor pool, a multisensorial underwater lounge… Le Bougainville represents the new generation of ships designed to combine discovery and exploration with luxury, even in the planet's most remote and isolated regions.
Decks
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Excursions included
During your journey, enjoy an excursion included per person per port of call, to choose from a selection offered by PONANT. Whether this is the visit of an emblematic museum or a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an activity in the heart of nature or a tasting of local products, or one of many other highlights, you will benefit from a careful selection of activities throughout your itinerary.
Pre-bookings will open around two months before the start of the cruise; requests will be processed on a first-come first-served basis, subject to availability.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
Memphis & Sakkara
From the pier, board your coach for the approximately two-and-a-half hour drive to the Dahshur area south of Sakkara, where stand the pyramids of Dahshur: the Red and the Bent pyramids.
The constructor of these pyramids is thought to have been Snefru (2575-2551 BC), the first ruler of the Fourth Dynasty. He is also thought to have built the pyramid at Maidoun. The Red Pyramid is thought to be older, and the Bent Pyramid was built out of limestone quarried locally.
Following the visit of Dahshur you will head to Memphis, the first capital of Ancient Egypt. Founded in 3100 BC by Menes of Tanis, Memphis was once considered the largest city in the world, with a population exceeding 30,000. At its zenith, the city had many temples, palaces and gardens.
Upon arrival, you will see the Ramses colossus, an enormous limestone statue. Over 10 metres (33 feet) long, this giant lying statue depicts Ramses II, the pharaoh of Egypt from 1290 to 1224 BC. The Alabaster Sphinx and the ruins of the Temple of Ptah can also be viewed during your visit.
From Memphis, you will proceed to the restaurant for lunch.
Next, you will be taken to Sakkara, the necropolis of ancient Memphis, where you will visit the famous Step Pyramid of Zoser. Built 5,000 years ago by the engineer Imhotep, the pyramid and its surrounding complex were designed to be as grand as they were unique and revolutionary. At the "cemetery city" of Sakkara, visit the inside of one of the mastabas or funerary chambers.
You will then rejoin your coach for a two-and-a-half hour drive to Ain Sukhna.
-
This excursion involves approximately 1.2 miles (2 km) of walking on sandy paths, with approx. 200 steps. We recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and sun protection. Lunch is included in the tour. Pre-booking is required to participate in this tour.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.The Grand Egyptian Museum & the Pyramids
This full day excursion provides a visit of the most important and significant sites of Egypt's: the Grand Egyptian museum, the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
From the pier of Ain Sukhna, board your coach for a 2.5-hour drive to Cairo, via the desert road. During your journey, your guide will provide interesting facts about the sites you will be visiting.
Once arriving, you will visit the Great Pyramids of Egypt. The Great Pyramids are considered the most famous of Egypt’s attractions and the only monuments left of the Ancient Wonders. The three main Pyramids at Giza were built as tombs by Cheops, his son Chephren, and Chephren’s son Mykerinus to preserve each of the pharaohs’ mummified body for eternity. For centuries, these unique structures have intrigued the world while surviving the rise and fall of great dynasties.
Southeast of the Great Pyramids stands the Sphinx, carved out of solid rock around 2650 BC. Steeped in legend and superstition, the Sphinx was a monument either to the sun god Ra or to Pharaoh Chephren. It has the head of a man and the body of a lion. The monument faces east, probably to greet the rising sun and the return of life each day.
After enjoying lunch, you will visit the Grand Egyptian museum. This museum is an immense case of concrete, glass and steel that will display among 100,000 objects covering 5,000 years of history. One of the museum highlights will be the visit of King Tutankhamen exhibition. Tutankhamen is the boy-king who ruled Egypt for nine years. Its royal treasure represents a collection of more than 5,000 pieces.
After the visit of the museum, you will drive back to Ain Sukhna where your ship is docked.
-
Pre-booking is required to participate in this tour. This excursion involves approximately 1.2 mile (2 km) of walking on flat ways with some steps. We recommend you wear comfortable shoes and protect yourself from the sun. The lunch is included on your tour. Cameras are permitted at the Pyramids. Opening of the Grand Egyptian museum is expected to be in October 2021. In case of delay and if the museum is not open on the date of our port of call, its visit will have to be cancelled.
Included
According to availability, price per passenger.