Explore the beauty and mystery of Egypt’s ancient temples and tombs during this memorable journey to Luxor. Along the way, you will visit the Karnak, Luxor and Hatshepsut Temples, Colossi of Memnon, and the Valley of the Kings.

Note: Due to the amount of walking over uneven terrain and steps at the tombs, this program is not recommended for guests with walking difficulty or those who utilize a wheelchair, walker or scooter.

Day 1
Upon disembarking the ship in Safaga, you will be met and depart for the 3.5-hour drive to Luxor. Upon arrival a stop will be made for lunch after which you will visit the Karnak Temple. Located about two miles north of the Luxor Temple, but connected to it by an impressive avenue of sphinxes, the Karnak Temple was the most important sanctuary of ancient Egypt, and the heart of the cult of the god Amon. Each pharaoh added his own contribution to the temple over the ensuing 2,000 years.

The Ptolemies erected the massive first pylon you will see. Past the second pylon, which is guarded by a pair of huge statues of Ramses II, you will find the great hypo-style hall, the largest hall of any temple in the world. It spans 50,000 square feet and contains 134 enormous columns. You may notice that some of the columns still have traces of the brilliant paint that originally covered them.

The third pylon leads to the center court, and past the fourth pylon is the 97-foot-high obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut, carved from a solid piece of pink granite. As you pass through successive pylons and courts, you will journey back in time until you reach the oldest part of the temple, built by the pharaohs of the middle kingdom around 2000 B.C.

At the south end of the temple, you will find the sacred lake where ceremonial boats took part in the worship of Amon. Cameras and video cameras are permitted inside the Karnak Temple free of charge.

Next, you will tour the renowned Luxor Temple, which was originally built during the reign of Amenophis the III and then expanded by Ramses II, who added a statue of himself and two obelisks. Today, only one of the statues remains at the Luxor Temple; Mohamed Ali gave the other one to Louis Philippe in 1831 and it is displayed at the Concorde in Paris.

After Alexander the Great rebuilt the sanctuary in the 4th century B.C., the Romans subsequently rebuilt portions of it, and then the Muslims built a mosque in the temple. Cameras and video cameras are permitted inside the Luxor Temple.

Following your visit to the Luxor Temple, you will be transferred to your hotel for check in.

In the evening, you will depart for a spectacular sound and light show at the Karnak Temple. It’s an amazing performance that traces the history of Thebes, including the lives of the pharaohs who built the necropolis. Afterwards, you will return to your hotel for dinner and to spend the evening.

Please note:
Dinner will be served at the hotel from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. Guests attending the Sound and Light Show will dine following the show.

Day 2
Following a buffet breakfast, you will cross over the Nile to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings, hidden in the foothills of the Gourma Mountains. More than 60 tombs of pharaohs and noblemen have been excavated in this valley. The kings’ formal names and titles are inscribed in their tombs, along with their images and statues. Between the 18th and 20th dynasties, the kings abandoned the Memphis area and built their tombs in Thebes. During your time here, you will receive a ticket valid for entry to up to three tombs of your choice. Cameras may now be used inside the tombs for a fee and can be paid directly to the guide.

NOTE:
there are a series of steps (up to approximately 20 steps per chamber) to go down into the various tombs and the ground surrounding the tombs is uneven and dusty. It is also extremely hot here.

Continuing, enjoy a photo stop at the Hatshepsut Temple, whose unique design features a series of grand terraces extending up a cliff with rows of square granite columns blending in with the mountainside. From here you will proceed for a visit to Medinet Habu. Built by Ramses III, this temple is among the most interesting of the funerary chapels on the West Bank. The reliefs on both sides of the doorway depict battle scenes of Ramses III.

After your visit to Medinet Habu, a photo stop will be made at the Colossi of Memnon. This structure was originally built as a mortuary temple in Thebes and guarded by two gigantic statues on the outer gates. All that remains today are the 75-foot-high, 1,000-ton statues of Amenhotep III. Though damaged by nature and ancient tourists, the statues are still impressive nonetheless. Cameras and video cameras are permitted free of charge.

Enjoy a buffet lunch back at your hotel before you depart for the 3.5-hour drive back to Safaga to re-embark the ship.

Land Program Step by Step:
Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details and the timings indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change.

Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Shore Excursion Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

Day 1
• AM The ship arrives alongside in Safaga, Egypt • 8:30am Disembark and proceed to the port terminal for security screening • 9:00am Depart for the drive to Luxor. The drive is approximately 3.5 hours. Restrooms are available on the bus. No comfort stop is scheduled
• 12:30pm Buffet lunch at a deluxe hotel. Beverages include bottled water, tea and coffee
• 1:30pm Proceed to Karnak Temple
• 1:45pm Visit Karnak Temple
• 3:30pm Proceed to Luxor Temple
• 3:45pm Visit Luxor Temple
• 4:45pm Proceed to your hotel for check in
• 5:00pm Check in; Optional shopping with your guide
• 7:30pm Proceed to Karnak Temple
• 8:00pm Sound and light show
• 9:00pm Drive back to the hotel
• 9:30pm Buffet dinner is served. Beverages include bottled water, tea and coffee, one glass of local wine or one bottle of local beer
• Buffet dinner will be served from 7:00pm to 10:00pm for those who opt out of the show
• Overnight at the Sonesta St. George Hotel or similar hotel in Luxor

Day 2
• 7:00am Buffet breakfast at the hotel
• 8:00am Cross the Nile to the west bank
• 8:45am Visit the Valley of the Kings
• The ticket you receive will include entry to three tombs of your choice
• 10:15am Proceed to Hatshepsut temple
• 10:30am Photo stop at Hatshepsut temple
• 10:40am Proceed to Habu Temple
• 10:45am Visit Habu Temple
• 11:30am Proceed to Colossi of Memnon
• 11:35am Photo stop at Colossi of Memnon
• 11:40am Back to your hotel
• 12:15pm Lunch and check out
• 1:30pm Drive back to Safaga. The drive is approximately 3.5 hours. Restrooms are available on the bus. No comfort stop is scheduled.
• 5:00pm Arrive back in Safaga and rejoin the ship

Expected weather:
Temperatures in Luxor average about 30°C / 86°F

What to bring:
Comfortable clothing, good walking shoes, camera, hat, sunscreen

Currency:
Egyptian Pound but USD are widely accepted

Electricity:
220- 240 V. Adaptors are not available therefore we suggest you bring your own travel adaptor should you require it.

Luggage:
A carry-on size piece of luggage is suggested for this one night stay

Hotel Name:
Sonesta St. George Luxor Hotel Gazirat Al Awameyah, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt Phone: +20 95 2382575

*We only substitute hotels in unforeseen situations. If a similar hotel is substituted, it will be of equal ratings and standards. If you are not notified of any changes before your sailing, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in the program.

Documentation:
• Passports must be brought with you on the program
• Visas are not required for US, EU and Canadian Citizens
• Please check your local Egyptian Embassy for further information

Included:
• 1 night at the Sonesta St. George Luxor or similar (Run of House Room)
• One breakfast, two lunches and one dinner
• Bottled water, tea, coffee, one soda or one bottle of beer/one glass of local wine with meals
• Entrance fees
• English-speaking guide throughout the program

One room is included in the per person single or double cost of this program and will be assigned for any bookings up to 2 guests regardless of cabin size on the ship. If additional bedding or rooms are required for this program, please contact Norwegian Cruise Line in advance of travel to request and price accordingly. Requests must be received at least 65 days before departure and confirmations will be based on availability at the time of request.

Not Included:
• Gratuities for drivers and guides
• Personal expenses and hotel incidentals including mini bar and room service
• Any meals or beverages not listed above
• Any other discounts or promos offered by NCL including but not limited to Latitude and Free at Sea discounts

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing, hats, sunglasses, and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations. Not combinable with any other discounts or promos including but not limited to Latitude and Free at Sea discounts.

Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.

Experience Mayan history and a jungle retreat with an open bar & buffet lunch. Your tour begins when your bilingual guide meets you at the end of the pier and escorts you to your air-conditioned transfer vehicle waiting on site. Listen to your guide and learn about the interesting local area and culture from onboard commentary as you pass through the fishing village. Continue this tour inland to visit “The Place of the Red Corn”, Chacchoben, learn about the fascinating Mayan culture during the journey from our knowledgeable guides.

Enjoy a guided tour of this unique archaeological site set in beautiful surroundings still partially covered by the rain forest. Climb to the top of the “Gran Basamento” taking you above the tree line and visit two sacred temples. Before leaving, you will have the opportunity to buy souvenirs from shops on site. Your journey continues to a buffet lunch waiting for you at our Blue Lagoon Restaurant, the most beautiful lagoon with fresh water, located 20 minutes away from Chacchoben Mayan ruins. After your meal, sunbathe on a sun lounger, take a swim and enjoy all complimentary drinks including your favorite cocktails. Feeling fully relaxed, well-fed and in good spirits, your transfer awaits to return you to the ship. The color of the lagoon varies depending on the weather, season of the year, and time of the day.

Browse a marine museum that focuses on the unique environment of the Alborán Sea and then stroll through a nearby estuary that supports an abundance of wildlife. The interactive exhibits in the Alborán Museum highlight the remarkable variety of creatures that live in the sea between the Iberian Peninsula and Africa. They include Great White Sharks, Sperm Whales and five species of turtles. You can observe many of the marine animals swimming around a massive aquarium and see turtles that are being rehabilitated from injuries. Other areas of the museum showcase the history of Malaga’s relationship with the sea and the Spanish ships that have sailed the seas carrying Malaga’s famed wines to other parts of the world. You will next visit the natural park that lies on an island estuary at the mouth of the Guadalhorce River. It provides an extraordinary habitat for birds, foxes, and indigenous flora, which the guide will point out and describe.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Browse the Alborán Museum to learn about the marine creatures in the Alborán Sea.
• Observe sharks in the museum’s aquarium and see how injured turtles are rehabilitated.
• Look for wildlife, particularly birds, in the estuary at the mouth of the Guadalhorce River.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Stroll through the atmospheric streets of the Old Quarter on the way to a nightclub, where you will watch a mesmerizing flamenco performance that tells a passionate story.After walking from the pier, you will continue at a leisurely pace toward the narrow, cobbled streets of the Old Quarter, which the Phoenicians founded in the 12th century. Being the oldest continuously occupied city in Western Europe, Cadiz exudes history, as you will soon discover in the Plaza of San Juan de Dios, a square that originated in medieval times.

As you meander the labyrinthine streets of the Old Quarter, you will pass one architectural treasure after another. Highlights may include the Neoclassical-style Cadiz Cathedral, which boasts a tile dome that appears Moorish, and Calle Ancha, a wide boulevard that is considered the heart of the city. In time, you will arrive at Taberna Flamenco La Cava, a nightclub that showcases the art of flamenco. Before taking your seat, be sure to notice the photos on the wall of some of the most acclaimed flamenco performers in the past 50 years.UNESCO honored flamenco by recognizing it on its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Andalusia, especially Cadiz, is the heartland of flamenco, an electrifying art form that fuses expressive songs, passionate dancing and emotional music. To enhance your immersion into the local culture, you will be served traditional tapas that may include Serrano ham and Manchego cheese.

Relax on this panoramic driving tour of Corsica’s spectacular interior, a land little-changed over centuries. Pass through Cuaro village and beautifully rugged, mountainous terrain, resplendent with lush forests. You’ll see the dense shrubbery known as “maquis” blanketing the countryside and inhale the extraordinarily fragrant evergreen, interspersed with aromatic lavender, myrtle and wild mint. Journey past modest vineyards and cultivated fields before you enter peaceful Pineta Forest, dominated by tall, striking laricio pines, expansive chestnuts and dramatic beech trees. Enter heart-stopping Prunelli Gorges with its jagged granite walls and descend through serpentine twists and curves. Arrive ultimately at serene, man-made Tolla Lake, source of Ajaccio’s hydro-electric power, and snap a postcard-worthy photo. Sharp pinnacles emerge from the forest just past Tolla, a ridge-top village nestled into the mountainside, then the amazing vista opens to an expanse of fertile valley below. Delight in numerous picturesque hamlets, including Ocana, known for austere granite homes, and imagine everyday life in this timeless land.

Enjoy an enlightening walk through an eco-friendly citrus orchard and then settle in for a breakfast made with organic ingredients. The setting for your immersion into healthy living Andalusian-style will be Al-Huerta, a farm that also serves as a center for environmental education. Your host will explain the sustainable agricultural techniques that improve the fertility of soil, heal degraded ecosystems and provide habitat for a variety of animals, including hedgehogs and indigenous birds. You will notice aromatic wild plants—some medicinal, others used for cooking—growing freely among the citrus trees. There are also orchards of fruits trees such as mangoes and avocados. The farmers follow a philosophy of social responsibility and encourage visitors to seek a more balanced lifestyle. Feel free to discuss the workings of the farm over breakfast, which will likely include fresh juices, organic coffee, herbal-infused olive oil and homemade bread from a wood-fired oven.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Walk through a citrus orchard where eco-friendly agricultural practices are followed.
• Become familiar with the benefits of sustainable agriculture for humans and animals.
• Enjoy a breakfast of organic juices, herbal-infused olive oil and homemade bread.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Settle in aboard an expedition catamaran for a wonderfully picturesque cruise to a private island, the starting point for a kayaking adventure through the Siginaka Islands. The cruise will set the stage for what lies ahead, as the scenery will be spectacular. Still, few experiences rival exploring the islands in a sea kayak, where the serenity is so overwhelming that you will feel at one with nature. As you paddle around the islands, the guide will point out the marine life, which should be easily visible in the shallows. Abundant crabs, sea stars and jellyfish live just below the water’s surface. Animals such as sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions and porpoise are frequently spotted as well, some breaching the water’s surface, others sunning on the rocky shores. And be sure to scan the trees for majestic bald eagles. The guide will also describe the influence and culture of the indigenous Tlingits, the area’s first inhabitants.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Cruise to a private island in an expedition catamaran.
• Kayak around the Siginaka Islands as the guide points out marine life in the shallows.
• Look for playful sea otters, sea lions and porpoise in the water and bald eagles overhead.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress warmly in weather-appropriate clothing i.e. light rain jacket and layers.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Snorkel the azure waters adjacent to the of Belize's Barrier Reef, the world’s largest living barrier reef. This is a shallow water entry, well suited for beginners and intermediate snorkelers. Depart from the Harvest Caye Marina on one of our comfortable snorkel vessels for the short scenic ride to a beautiful site along the reef. This location is teeming with multitudes of colorful reef fish, co-habiting among the beautiful hard and soft coral formations, intermingled with sponges, sea fans, and delicate sea anemones.

Possible sightings of spotted eagle rays and schools of larger fish are quite common, large starfish, queen conchs, and sea cucumbers also call this patch of the reef home. After snorkeling, re-board your boat and enjoy the return trip while listening to Caribbean rhythmic vibes. After returning to the pier, as you step off the boat, you can pick up your complimentary rum punch.

Capture the moment by taking the perfect selfie photo in Ibiza!

Instantly share your experience with family & friends on your favorite social media site as you can find wi-fi in some stops along the route. Your accompanying guide will share some tricks on how to take the best selfie photo including composition, posing, lighting etc. Capture the spirit of this incredible destination.

Your tour begins with a scenic drive towards Ibiza’s West side. You will have designated selfie stops at: • Las Salina
• Sa Caleta
• Es Vedra
• Cala Compte

End your picture-perfect day with a relaxing transfer back to the ship.

Cruise into waters teeming with humpback whales and other marine life, and then dine on traditional Alaskan dishes at a seafood feast. Point Adolphus has the highest concentration of humpback whales in the Alaskan panhandle, so be on the lookout for these majestic and intelligent creatures. They will be breaching the water’s surface, waving their flukes up and down as they dive, and feeding voraciously to fatten up for their winter migration south. You might also observe frolicking Dall’s porpoises, Stellar Sea Lions, curious Harbor Seals and Orca whales, which sometimes feed on infirm or wounded humpbacks. Be sure to look skyward for majestic bald eagles, too. Following the whale-watching adventure, you too will have the opportunity to feast. A sumptuous meal of classic Alaskan dishes awaits you back in Hoonah. The menu will include seasonal shrimp and crabs, Andouille sausage and all sorts of sides. Afterwards, you can roast marshmallows around the campfire.

This sightseeing cruise features guaranteed whale watching! Following a short motorcoach ride to scenic Auke Bay, you’ll board a water jet powered catamaran specially designed for wildlife viewing. Relax in the warm, comfortable, spacious main cabin, surrounded by large windows as your experienced Captain guides you through the island studded waters of Stephens Passage. Against a majestic backdrop of snow-capped peaks and glaciers, the onboard naturalist will explain the behavior and habitat of wildlife you may encounter, including humpback and killer whales, Steller sea lions, Dall’s porpoise, harbor seals, bald eagles, bears and deer.

The operators of this tour guarantee that you'll see a whale. If not, you’ll receive a $100 cash refund as you disembark the vessel. Don’t anticipate a refund; in the past 10+ years, whales have been sighted on every tour! To fully enjoy the sights and sounds of a close encounter with wildlife, be sure to bring a warm, rainproof jacket to wear on the topside observation deck and don’t forget your camera! Day use binoculars and a souvenir wildlife guide and map are provided, along with complimentary snacks and beverages. less

Capture the moment by taking the perfect selfie photo in Athens! Instantly share your experience with family & friends on your favorite social media site as many of the stops will include wi-fi in real time. Professional photographers & selfie experts will teach you how to take the best selfie photo including composition, posing, lighting etc. Capture the spirit of this incredible destination.

Your tour will start with a scenic drive from the ship to Athens. Your walking tour will have designated selfie stops at: • Panathenaic Stadium
• The Olympieion
• The Hadrian Arch
• The Acropolis
• Aeropagus Hill
• Parliament House
• Plaka

To make this experience even more fun, you will be provided with a selfie stick and utilize our Selfie Station in order to help catch the perfect picture. End your picture-perfect day with Souvlaki tasting in Monasteraki and some free time.