North Africa and the Middle East

Northern Africa and Arabia will astound all who visit with its contrasts of bustling Arab cities and culture coupled with the beauty and starkness of the surrounding deserts. This region ranges from Morocco in the west which borders both the Mediterranean and Atlantic oceans across Libya and Egypt to Arabia. From casbahs and antiquities to deserts and wildlife the region offers an amazing array of experiences, including of course the Suez canal.

Cruise types

Mediterranean cruises departing from European ports include North Africa in many itineraries. These cruises are generally within the Med but also include cruises which exit the Straights of Gibraltar and visit the Atlantic Coast of Morocco.

Repositioning and World cruises which generally transit the Suez canal offer passengers a great opportunity to visit the region, especially the Arabian side of the Suez Canal. Port stops provide opportunities to visit some of the regions inland attractions including Petra, accessed from Aqaba in Jordan and Luxor, accessed from Safaga in Egypt.

Cruise seasons

Mediterranean cruises are now year round but most cruises including North Africa sail in the Northern winter months from October to March when the day time temperatures are pleasant. Repositioning cruises generally also visit during these months.

Main Ports

• Atlantic - Casablanca and Agidir
• Mediterranean - Tangier, Tripoli, Alexandria
• Repositioning and World - Aqaba, Dubai, Muscat, Port Said, Safaga, Salalah, Sharm el-Sheikh, Suez canal

Weather

Throughout the area, days are commonly warm or hot, and nights are cool. There are really only two seasons: a mild winter from November to April and a hot summer from May to October. The only differences between the seasons are variations in daytime temperatures and changes in prevailing winds. In the coastal regions, temperatures range between an average minimum of 14°C in winter and an average maximum of 30°C in summer on the coast , inland temperatures can get much hotter (over 40°C) in summer

Ports of interest

• abu-dhabi, united-arab-emirates
• abu-dhabi, united-arab-emirates
• north-africa-and-middle-east,
• north-africa-and-middle-east,
• north-africa-and-middle-east,
• safaga, egypt
• safaga, egypt

Italy, Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, Greece

11 night cruise sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome) aboard the MSC Magnifica.

Departs:

• 2013-11-13.

from $744*

Italy, Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, Greece

11 night cruise sailing from Genoa aboard the MSC Magnifica.

Departs:

• 2013-11-12.

from $744*

Italy, Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, Greece

11 night cruise sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome) aboard the MSC Magnifica.

Departs:

• 2013-11-02.

from $744*

Italy, Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, Greece

11 night cruise sailing from Genoa aboard the MSC Magnifica.

Departs:

• 2013-11-01.

from $744*

Italy, Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, Greece

11 night cruise sailing from Genoa aboard the MSC Poesia.

Departs:

• 2012-09-17.

from $824*

Italy, Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, Greece

11 night cruise sailing from Civitavecchia (Rome) aboard the MSC Magnifica.

Departs:

• 2013-10-11.

from $944*

Italy, Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, Greece

11 night cruise sailing from Genoa aboard the MSC Magnifica.

Departs:

• 2013-10-10.

from $944*

Italy, Egypt, Cyprus, Israel, Greece

11 night cruise sailing from Genoa aboard the MSC Magnifica.

Departs:

• 2013-10-21.

from $944*

Cruiseabout offers great deals on North Africa cruises, so why not enquire today? We guarantee the best cruise deals and will beat any Asia cruise quote, worldwide - or you'll sail for free.

Find out more about our Sail Free Guarantee