Itinerary : Djedda, Aqaba, Djedda



3 other departures
Aroya
5 d
Inside Stateroom
Djedda
12/05/2027
from
US$ 453
Other departures:
10-31 Oct 2027
19 Dec 2027

3 cruises found
A cruise in Jordan almost always calls at Aqaba, the gateway to the Red Sea and the starting point for two of the country's great sights: Petra, the Nabataean city carved into the rock, and Wadi Rum, a vast landscape of sandstone, sand, and canyons.
A port call can also be enjoyed more simply along Aqaba's waterfront, with snorkeling, beaches, and the city's laid-back atmosphere.
Depending on the itinerary, the experience can focus on culture, the desert, the beach, or quiet contemplation, often as part of a cruise that also visits Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, the Emirates, or covers longer routes between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
Your search criteria:
Jordan
Itinerary : Djedda, Aqaba, Djedda



3 other departures
Aroya
5 d
Inside Stateroom
Djedda
12/05/2027
from
US$ 453
Other departures:
10-31 Oct 2027
19 Dec 2027
Itinerary : Djedda, Sharm El Sheikh, Aqaba, Djedda



1 other departures
Aroya
6 d
Inside Stateroom
Djedda
09/21/2027
from
US$ 566
Other departures:
22 Sep 2026
Itinerary : Piraieus, Heraklion, Rhodes, Port Said, Suez Canal (Entree), Sharm El Sheikh, Aqaba, Djedda



EXPLORA I
10 d
Suite
Piraieus
10/07/2028
from
US$ 4,975
| Season | Weather & swimming | Expert advice |
|---|---|---|
January - February & December | Cooler and sometimes very comfortable. Aqaba remains relatively mild, while Petra and the desert can be cooler, especially in the morning and late in the day. | A good time for travelers who prefer to avoid the heat, though weather conditions should be monitored for excursions at higher elevations or in the desert. |
March - May The most pleasant time of year. Temperatures are milder for Petra and Wadi Rum, the days are bright, and conditions are better for long excursions. Best choice for a first cruise involving Aqaba, especially if Petra is your priority. | ||
June - September Very hot, especially in Petra and Wadi Rum. Aqaba remains beach-oriented, but long excursions can be tiring because of the high temperatures. Best considered for a more beach-focused port of call or very early sightseeing. Staying hydrated, using sun protection, and keeping a moderate pace are essential. | ||
October - November An excellent balance. The heat eases after summer, the Red Sea remains pleasant, and visits to the desert or Petra become more comfortable again. An excellent alternative to spring, with beautiful light and often favorable conditions for combining cultural experiences with time by the sea. | ||
Jordan's cruise hotspots are concentrated around Aqaba, but the most memorable experiences often require leaving the port. The main choice is between Petra, Wadi Rum, and a more leisurely day by the Red Sea.

In the Siq
The canyon approach gives Petra a unique natural setting.

At the Treasury
The carved façade remains the visual highlight of the excursion.

In the lower city
The theater, the tombs, and the ancient trails remind us that Petra is much larger than its most famous monument.

In Wadi Rum
The sandstone cliffs, red sand, and 4x4 tracks make this port of call very different from the Red Sea ports.

At Khazali Canyon
The narrow walls and inscriptions add a more intimate dimension to the desert.

At Lawrence's Spring
The views of the rock formations offer a very popular panoramic stop.

In front of Petra's Treasury
The rose-colored rock, canyon, and carved façade create Jordan's most iconic view.

In Wadi Rum
The shadows on the cliffs, the red sand, and the silhouettes of 4x4 vehicles create highly cinematic landscapes.

From Aqaba Bay
The mountains around the Gulf and the colors of the Red Sea offer a milder, more sea-like view.

At South Beach
The beach lets you enjoy Aqaba without a long drive, with swimming and snorkeling when conditions permit.

On the reefs of Aqaba
Boat trips and snorkeling excursions provide access to the Red Sea's coral and fish.

On the seafront
The marina, cafés, and views of the gulf make for a quieter port call if you do not head to Petra.
Walking through the Siq before discovering Petra's Treasury
Travelers often remember the approach to Petra as vividly as the monument itself. The passage through the canyon, the light on the rock, and the Treasury gradually coming into view give this excursion from Aqaba a rare intensity.
Crossing Wadi Rum between sandstone cliffs and red sand
Wadi Rum presents another side of Jordan, one that is more open and peaceful. Travelers appreciate the 4x4 tracks, rock arches, canyons, and changing light that give the desert real visual depth.
Enjoy the Red Sea without leaving Aqaba
For travelers who prefer a shorter excursion, Aqaba offers a seaside experience of Jordan. Travelers enjoy the beaches, snorkeling trips, marina, and resort atmosphere framed by the mountains.
Stopping in Khazali Canyon during the Wadi Rum excursion
Khazali Canyon gives a more intimate break amid the great landscapes of Wadi Rum, where travelers enjoy entering this narrow passage, observing the carved walls and finding some shade before returning to the open trails.
Snorkeling at Aqaba's Japanese Reef
Japanese Reef is a good option for travelers who want to enjoy the Red Sea without venturing too far from the port. The coral, colorful fish, and clear water make for a more ocean-focused port call, very different from the major excursions to Petra.
Taking the time to see Petra beyond the Treasury
Many visitors stop too soon after seeing the first great façade. Travelers who continue to the theater, tombs, and ancient road gain a better sense of Petra's scale and leave with a more complete picture of the site.
Three quarters of Jordan's territory is desert, yet this small country lives up to its nickname of Land of Flowers. Everywhere in the country, flowers, true warriors, manage to find their place between the dunes. Near Siq al-Bardi, poppies form a scarlet carpet at the gateway to the desert. The Dana reserve is adorned with fine ribbons of oleander. As for the long King's Highway, it is lined with black irises, Jordan's emblematic flower. In spring, the Umm Qais site in the far north of the country is a vast garden where pale yellow hollyhocks, thistle flowers, mauve orchids and tall immaculate daisies form a colorful tableau.
On the way to Dana, a 6,000-year-old village that sits proudly atop a hill, you can admire the rocky slopes of Jebel Rummana, from which you have a breathtaking view of Wadi Dana. If you're lucky, you may come across a Sinai agama scampering down the rocks or a fierce ibex grazing peacefully in the heart of the gullies. Challenging the dunes of Wadi Rum, you'll discover the Bedouin, the people of the desert, who invite you into their tents for tea and hookah.
For history buffs, a stay in Jordan is a journey out of time. Throughout the country, astonishingly well-preserved historical remains stand proudly. Amman's Roman theater and citadel, Jerash's long colonnaded road and its ancient baths and hippodrome plunge you into the fascinating world of Roman antiquity and its architectural wonders. Madaba is another historical landmark that you won't want to miss during your stay in Jordan. Long located at the crossroads of merchant caravans, invading troops and pilgrims in search of the Promised Land, Madaba is a fascinating cultural melting pot where ancient buildings and museums of all kinds evoke its long epic. Before leaving Madaba, be sure to admire the city's rich collection of mosaics. Following the Road of the Kings, you'll discover other vestiges of Jordan's past. Along the way, you'll come across the city of Petra, the work of the Nabataeans, with its astonishing troglodyte buildings. You'll also pass through Umm ar-Rasas, one of the ancient Roman outposts and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At Kerak and Shobak, you'll come across ancient Crusader castles. Even as you wander through the desert, you'll come across other historic relics of interest, such as the out-of-nowhere buildings left by the early Umayyads.
The ideal time for a trip to Jordan is from March to November, i.e. from spring to autumn. However, if you want to enjoy reasonable temperatures, it's best to plan your trip for spring or autumn. At this time of year, temperatures remain reasonable, even around the desert. What's more, the most interesting sites are reasonably crowded, so you can make the most of every visit.