Tours

Lands of the Bible Cruise with Guest Speaker Rebekah Simon-Peter | Oct 1, 2023

15 days
Greece, Italy, The Holy Land & Türkiye
Starting from $4998* Taxes & Fees Apply

Limited Space Remaining

Join Guest Speaker on a 14-day Lands of the Bible Cruise with 12 nights aboard Royal Caribbean, Odyssey of the Seas, starting at $4,998* from New York, NY, departing on October 1, 2023. Journey to places such as Galilee, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Athens, Ephesus, and much more!

What’s Included

  • All Inclusive Pricing
  • Cruise
  • Deluxe A/C Motor Coaches
  • Entrance and Program Fees
  • Fuel Surcharges and Gov't Taxes
  • International Airfare from NY
  • Meals on Ship
  • Overseas Airport Transfers
  • Port Charges
  • Select Shore Excursions
  • Study Guide
  • Administrative fees

^ Additional Baggage & Optional fees may apply.

† If air purchased through EO.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 October 1 – DEPART THE USA

Your pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on your international overnight flight.

Day 2 October 2 – ARRIVE IN ROME

You will arrive in Rome, Italy, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to the Port of Civitavecchia to board the Odyssey of the Seas.

Day 3 October 3 – AT SEA

AT SEA 

Day 4 October 4 – Chania. Crete

Delve into the Cretan culture on your own with options for sightseeing at Lake Kournas, the Arkadi Monastery, and the bustling town of Rethymnon. Shore excursions today will be booked directly through Royal Caribbean.

Day 5 October 5 – SANTORINI, GREECE

Dock in Santorini today, one of the most beautiful of the Greek islands, where picturesque whitewashed villages topped with brilliant blue domes stand in stark contrast to the sheer drop cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea. The island itself perches on the edges of a volcano whose eruption 3,500 years ago is thought to have led to the collapse of the Minoan civilization. Explore the island on your own or join one of the optional excursions available for purchase onboard. Shore excursions today will be booked directly through Royal Caribbean.

Day 6 October 6 – EPHESUS

Ephesus is another of the Seven Churches of Revelation and was once a bustling port town graced with wide, colonnade-bordered streets and a population of 250,000. Although spectacular excavations have revealed much of the glory of ancient Ephesus, including the huge agora and library, much has been lost. The ancient world once declared the Temple of Artemis to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World but today, only a single column remains to mark its site. View the terrace houses, also known as “the houses of the rich,” which give a true impression of ancient lifestyle. Explore the Museum of Ephesus for an up-close look at ancient artifacts. You will have time to explore on your own and recreate some of the footsteps of Paul. 

Day 7 October 7 – AT SEA

AT SEA

Day 8 October 8 – SEA OF GALILEE

Venture inland to the Sea of Galilee to stand on the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus preached (Matthew 5). At Tabgha, the traditional location of the feeding of 5,000, you’ll visit the Church of the Loaves and Fish (Luke 9). On the shores of the Sea of Galilee is the Chapel of the Primacy of St. Peter, where three times Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21). From there, travel to Capernaum, where Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, John (Matt. 4) and later Matthew to be disciples.

Day 9 October 9 – JERUSALEM

Journey to Jerusalem to see Caiphas’ House, where Jesus was tried before the Sanhedrin. Stand upon the Mount of Olives and view the city as Jesus did. See the Ancient olive trees of the Garden of Gethsemane. Wander the Old City to view the Pool of Bethesda, and walk along the Via Dolorosa. Step inside the Church of the Holy Sepluchre, built over the sites of the crucifixion and the resurrection.

Day 10 October 10 – AT SEA

AT SEA

Day 11 October 11 – MYKONOS, GREECE

Arrive today at the world-famous Greek Island of Mykonos, where gleaming whitewashed buildings seem to climb atop each other to reach the azure sky. Admire its many hills dotted with iconic windmills. Explore the island on your own or join one of the optional excursions available for purchase on board. Shore excursions today will be booked directly through Royal Caribbean.

Day 12 October 12 – ATHENS & CORINTH

Disembark the Celebrity Apex and Discover the rich architectural splendor of the ancient city of Athens as you explore the world-renowned Acropolis, the Propylaea, the Parthenon, and the Erectheum. Stand on Mars Hill as the Apostle Paul did when he proclaimed, “I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.  Whom, therefore, ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.” Also, view the House of Parliament, the Presidential Palace, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This afternoon, tour the city of Corinth, where the Apostle Paul met fellow tentmakers Aquila and Priscilla and received a vision from the Lord saying, “I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have many people in this city.”  As Paul spoke, Crispus (chief ruler of the synagogue) and many others believed and were baptized, establishing the church at Corinth to whom Paul later wrote his two epistles.  Discover the archaeological museum, marketplace, and temples.  As you walk among the ruins, stand on the Bema, where the Apostle Paul stood before Gallio to face charges brought against him by the Jews.

Day 13 October 13 – AT SEA

AT SEA.

Day 14 October 14 – POMPEII

Journey inland to ancient Pompeii, dating almost to the time of Paul, where you can see the spectacular ruins that were covered by ash from the eruption of Mount Vesvius in A.D. 79 Shore excursions today will be booked directly through Royal Caribbean.

Day 15 October 15 – RETURN TO THE USA

Disembark the Odyssey of the Seas and transfer to Rome to return home.

Enhance Your Journey

Cappadocia & Istanbul Pre-Tour Starting from $998

September 27 - October 2, 2023

 

September 27 - Depart the USA

Your pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on your international overnight flight.

September 28 - Istanbul/Cappadocia

Arrive in Istanbul, then fly to Cappadocia and check into your hotel for dinner and overnight.

September 29 - Cappadocia

Drive to Cappadocia and visit the Zelve Valley. As you drive through Cappadocia, enjoy some free time at various photo stops in this magnificent landscape full of fairy chimneys. Visit the Goreme Open-Air Museum before returning to your hotel.

September 30 - Cappadocia

You can take an optional hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia this morning for an additional fee. Fly this afternoon to Istanbul and check into your hotel for dinner and overnight.
October 1 - Istanbul
The bejeweled capital of Istanbul sits between two continents and is home to 450 mosques. You will visit the famous Blue Mosque with its six minarets and sparkling interior. You will also visit the Topkapi Palace, once home to royal sultans. Inside, you will see the fabled jewels of the Treasury, delicate displays of Chinese porcelain in the kitchen quarters, and the provocative harem quarters. Walk through Hagia Sophia, which was the largest church in Christendom for 1000 years, built by Justinian (532-537 A.D.). The church has 107 columns, fossil-embedded, white marble floors, and beautiful glass mosaics. Enjoy the aroma of cinnamon, cloves, thyme, and other exotic spices as you explore the Grand Bazaar. Over 4,000 shops sell everything from herbs to gold. Return to your hotel this evening for dinner and overnight.
October 2 - Flight to Rome
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Rome. Arrive in Rome, and you will be transferred to the Port of Civitavecchia to board the Odyssey of the Seas.
Hot air balloon ride is $185 per person additional.

 

Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion.
*A 3.5% surcharge will be added to all credit card transactions.

Rome Post-Tour Starting from $898

October 15 - 17, 2023 | Starting at $898*

 

October 15 - Arrive in Rome
Today, you will arrive in Rome, Italy, where you will be met by our representative and travel along the Appian Way. Step beneath the surface into the Catacombs of Callixtus, built along the Appian Way. Here, 16 popes from the 2nd through 4th centuries were interred, though they have been removed to various churches over the centuries. Discover the history woven throughout Rome with visits to the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Forum, Circus Maximus, the Arch of Titus, the Baths of Caracalla, and the Arch of Constantine today. Climb the graceful Spanish Steps and stop at the famous Trevi Fountain before returning to your hotel this evening. Check into your hotel this evening and enjoy dinner and rest.

October 16 - Vatican City & Christian Rome

Visit the Vatican and explore its museum. Marvel at the beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica, and stand in awe of Michaelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. Next, on to the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. The present structure stands over the place where Constantine built the first church over Saint Paul’s grave. The church features a portrait of every pope who has served the church. Overnight in Rome

October 17 - Return to the USA
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the USA.

 

Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion.
*A 3.5% surcharge will be added to all credit card surcharges.

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