Port guides

Porto Seguro, Brazil

Middle East & Red Sea

Porto Seguro – loosely translated as safe bay – is known as “Brazil’s birth certificate”. The port was the first place that Alavares Cabralone and his crew set foot on while on their way their way to India in 1500. This makes the town the oldest in the country at 500 years. With three churches and around 40 buildings (both private residential houses and public institutions), restored by the state government for the 500th anniversary celebration of Brazilian discovery, Porto Seguro wears its age well. View less The whole historic centre has been a National Heritage site since 1973 by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (IPHAN) as well as an example of UNESCO Natural Heritage of Humanity since 2000. Although the main area of the lower town is small, the colourful houses that line the streets are definitely worth a visit. The main road is called “Passerela do Alcool” or alcohol alley, and was the route from the Cidade Alta - old town - that smugglers used to take the alcohol down to be shipped. Nowadays, it’s where it’s drunk rather than exported. The port is located on sunny Bahia’s Discovery Coast, 730 km south of Salvador and 1,120 km north of Rio. Nature espouses the coast, sand dunes, warm, clean waters, and palm trees which might well be enough for many travellers. Those who do enjoy the beach might want to make the 5-minute ferry crossing (or try the 1.5 hour walk) to Araial D’Ajuda, and turn on, tune in and drop out in the ex-hippie haven of the 1970s.

2 cruises

West Bank/Quina

Middle East & Red Sea

2 cruises

Bahrain

Middle East & Red Sea

During an MSC cruise to Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Qatar, you will also disembark in Bahrain, an island 40km long and just 15kn wide in The Gulf. This country with a thousand-year-old culture, is also called “the kingdom of the two seas”, because its waters border with those of Qatar to the south and with those of Saudi Arabia to the west. In the course of your stop in Bahrain, an excursion will take you on a discovery of its charming capital, Manama. The city, where modern skyscrapers stand side-by-side with old buildings, has strong ties to nomadic traditions: its inhabitants often head out to the desert and stay in large white tents to participate in the ancient tradition of falcon hunting. The National Museum is an excellent starting point for a visit to the capital: an opportunity to learn about the history and customs of this territory. The Al Fateh Mosque, on the other hand, is a mystical experience. It is an immense holy building with two imposing minarets, which can host up to 7,000 faithful, built from materials brought from all over the world. For example, the thousand Indian lamps of inlaid wood, the gigantic Austrian chandelier of Swarovski crystal, and the Italian Carrara marble. A short distance from the capital, there is Qal’at al Bahrain (Bahrain Fort). Of great quality, in part due to recent reconstruction efforts, the fort in its current form is evidence of 16th century “raiding” by Portuguese sailors. However, the hill on which it is set has been the site of several human settlements over the centuries. Finally, you cannot leave Bahrain without having bought, or at least admired, the marvelous and extremely prized pearls gathered in its sea.

1 cruise

Hurghada

Middle East & Red Sea

Hurghada is a beach resort town stretching some 40km along Egypt’s Red Sea coast. It’s renowned for scuba diving, and has numerous dive shops and schools in its modern Sekalla district. There are many restaurants, bars and nightclubs, while the old town, El Dahar, is home to traditional Egyptian coffee shops and souks. Hurghada’s long stretch of sandy beach is lined with resort hotels.

1 cruise

Manama

Bahrain · Middle East & Red Sea

A cruise to the Orient also offers the opportunity to discover the Kingdom of Bahrain: the archipelago lies exactly between Saudi Arabia and the emirate of Qatar, the world's richest country. The total of 33 islands extend with the main island of Bahrain in a bay between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Bahrain. The archipelago owes its name to this location, because the Arabic “Al-Bahrain” means “two seas”. Bahrain impresses with the dazzling metropolis of Manama and historical sights. Its oriental mosques, magnificent palaces and ancient temples extend against the backdrop of magnificent natural beauty. Golden beaches and extensive desert landscapes invite you to a variety of activities.

1 cruise

Khor al Fakkan, UAE

Middle East & Red Sea

Set on the bay of Khor Fakkan is a little Emirate gem known as the creek of two jaws and for its dramatic Hajar Mountains. Check out archaeological sites which include ancient graves and a ruined Portuguese fort, then head west to biodiverse Wadi Wurayah’s waterfalls and pools. Cruise the rugged coast by dhow, dine Bedouin-style on mountain-cradled beaches and scuba dive through coral reefs. Up your game to canyon in rocky wadis, paraglide off cliffs and mountain bike through craggy goat paths. Further afield, visit the ancient village of Sabatyn and Musandam's fjords, aka Norway of Arabia, known for its spectacular iridescent waters. Exploit senses at spice markets before soothing them at hammams using delicious homegrown ingredients. This is spirit lifting stuff on the northernmost tip of the Arabian Peninsula.