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

Gain an overall understanding of Saigon through landmark architecture that reflects the changing face of the metropolis known as Ho Chi Minh City since 1976. In the lively Chinatown district of Cholon, you will find Giac Lam, the city’s oldest pagoda. A haven of tranquility where Taoism and Confucianism merge with Buddhism, the pagoda compound includes ornate tombs, a rare bodhi tree and an elegant statue of the Goddess of Mercy. For a more contemporary perspective, you will view Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, a modernistic white building that was home to the president of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon presents a glimpse into colonial life, as the French constructed it in the mid-1800s. The ornate Central Post Office is another French-built colonial gem. If not for the large portrait of Ho Chi Minh inside, you might think you were in Paris.

View the landmarks of Hiroshima, some commemorating the atomic bomb blast here in 1945 and others reflecting the city’s celebration of peace. At the poignant Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, you will behold the ruins of some of the few concrete buildings left after the atomic bomb was dropped. One of them, the Atomic Bomb Dome, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and has become a symbol of Hiroshima. You will also browse the Peace Memorial Museum whose exhibits show Hiroshima before and after the bombing and personal artifacts from the victims that humanize the devastating event. The museum encourages visitors to make a vow for universal peace. While the mood there is somber, serenity is the overarching theme at Shukkei-en Garden. Besides being a wonderful respite from the hubbub of the city, the garden is a visual delight, as plants are always in bloom. Although the atomic bomb destroyed the garden, it has been fully restored.

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 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.

Sail across Pillsbury Sound to the enchanting island of St. John on a catamaran and then snorkel in the turquoise waters just offshore. All that is required of you is to sit back and relax as the catamaran glides along the eastern end of St. Thomas and continues to St. John, the most pristine of the U.S. Virgin Islands. In time, you will arrive at Honeymoon Beach within the Virgin Islands National Park. You will be free to snorkel, stroll along the sugar-white beach and relax as you see fit. You might stretch out on a beach towel, linger in the shade of a coconut palm and swim in the sea with nothing on your mind other than enjoying yourself. On the return cruise to St. Thomas, the champagne will be flowing and an array of cheeses, freshly baked breads and fresh tropical fruits will be served.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Sail on a sleek catamaran to neighboring St. John, half of which is a national park.
• Snorkel the crystal-clear waters off Honeymoon Beach on the island’s western edge.
• Bask in the sun, relax on the beach and delight in the natural beauty.
• Celebrate the adventure with a tropical beverage from the open bar on the return cruise.

Enjoy a glass of sherry while learning to make authentic tapas at the Bodega Casa del Marques, a 19th-century palace built for a wine merchant. The elegant residence is decorated with period furnishings that lend it an ambiance so authentic that it feels as if you were transported to another time. While there, you will learn to make tapas, some traditional and others topped with surprisingly inventive ingredients. These small-plate snacks reflect the local cuisine and are typically served with a glass of sherry, especially in Jerez, which has been producing the fortified wine for more than 175 years. The exact tapas that you will prepare will depend on which ingredients are freshest and most flavorful. They might include fried fish, meatballs or something a bit more unusual such as stewed ox tail. Be sure to add favorite ingredients, as you will dine on the tapas afterwards.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Participate in a hands-on culinary class at a 19th-century palace built for a wine merchant.
• Learn to prepare authentic, small-plate tapas with traditional and unusual ingredients.
• Dine on the finished tapas and enjoy a glass of sherry as an accompaniment.

Behold the natural attractions of Cephalonia, including those beneath the surface, such as the Drogarati Cave and subterranean Melissani Lake.

Departing from the pier, you'll drive toward the eastern shore of Cephalonia, the largest Ionian island. Arriving at the Drogarati Cave, you'll descend a flight of stairs into a large cavern which is lighted for dramatic effect. Stalactites hang from the ceiling like jagged curtains, and ancient stalagmites reach up from the rocky floor. The colors are predominately red, orange, yellow and white, from the iron content in the rock and the layers of chalk and limestone.

Although estimated to be 100 million years old, the cave wasn't discovered until about 300 years ago when a violent earthquake opened an entrance. Inside the cave's Chamber of Exaltation, the acoustics are considered near perfect, and concert events are often held in its voluminous interior. Even the famed opera soprano, Maria Callas, sang here.

Continuing on, you will travel in a northerly direction, passing the town of Sami en route to the renowned Melissani Lake. This underground phenomenon looks absolutely magical in the shafts of light that come from 100 feet above, where parts of the ceiling collapsed decades ago. You'll enter the lake by small boat, paddled in so it hardly disturbs the surface of the water, which is a brackish mix of saltwater from the Ionian Sea and freshwater that originated back in Argostoli and then flowed across the island. The stalactites hanging from the ceiling here are estimated to be at least 20,000 years old.

Afterwards, you'll return to Argostoli via a picturesque coastal route that offers spectacular views across the strait to the island of Ithaca, and further along, Myrtos and its dramatic, sheer white cliffs.

Drive through the beautiful Andalucia region to an acclaimed cheese-producing village for an insider’s look at the artisanal process and to sample the most representative cheeses. Your host will be a farmer that tends payoya goats and Grazalemeña sheep, whose milk is used to produce the cheeses. The most well-known and award-winning cheese is El Bosqueño, a smooth textured, light-colored cheese. The farmer will lead you through the fields where the goats and sheep graze and walk you through the cheese-making process step by step. You will also browse a cheese museum with displays of cheese-making hand tools and exhibits detailing the history of cheese production in the area. Afterwards, you will enjoy a sampling that may include an emborrado cheese cured in olive oil and wheat bran. Other cheeses produced here are cured with fresh spices such as rosemary and paprika. To complement the experience, you will be served a glass of locally produced wine.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• See how several award-winning cheeses are produced at a farm in the town of El Bosque.
• Browse a cheese museum with displays that trace the importance of cheese in this region.
• Sample various cheeses made with milk from payoya goats and Grazalemeña sheep.

Discover the charms of two inland villages, one a medieval gem with fine shopping, the other featuring a rare olive mill. Unlike other villages in Provence, Valbonne was designed on a Roman grid plan, so the streets are straight and perpendicular rather than winding. After a guided walking tour through the leafy plazas, you will enjoy free time in Valbonne. You might be surprised by how cosmopolitan it is, especially with regard to shopping and dining. You will then drive a bit farther inland to Opio, a smaller village surrounded by olive groves and pine trees. Opio has one of the area’s few remaining olive mills, which has been operating since the 15th century. Now powered by electricity rather than water, the mill still presses fresh oil from locally gathered olives as it has for centuries. After hearing about the mill’s history, you will sample some the olives and freshly pressed oil with a glass of wine.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Enjoy a leisurely and immensely picturesque drive inland to two villages in Provence.
• Spend free time in medieval Valbonne, where you may shop in its sophisticated boutiques.
• Sample olives, freshly pressed olive oil and a glass of wine at a 15th-century olive mill.

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.

Gain an understanding of how local craftsmen make traditional Greek musical instruments and take in the island’s natural beauty. Pyrgos is known for its 13th-century Venetian castle, the classic Cycladic design of its homes and the panoramic views from its hilltop location. It will be an ideal setting to pause for a cup of coffee and a Greek sweet. Megalochori is equally picturesque, as you will discover while meandering the village’s atmospheric cobbled streets lined with neoclassical houses. The intriguing Museum of Musical Instruments honors the history of the instruments that make Greek music so recognizable. You will learn how classic instruments such as the bouzouki and laouto are handmade and have the chance to play some of them. Afterwards, you will visit the family-owned Gavalas Winery, which has been producing traditional wines such as Katsano and Nykteri since the 19th century. There you will sample wines indicative of Santorini’s terroir and snacks that pair perfectly with them.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Pause for a snack and to revel in the village of Pyrgos’ classic Cycladic setting.
• Discover how some of the most recognizable Greek musical instruments are hand-crafted.
• Sample a selection of traditional wines and local delicacies at a family-owned winery.