Tours

Lands of the Bible Cruise with Guest Speaker Jorge Acevedo | Oct 14, 2023

14 days
Cyprus, The Holy Land & Türkiye
Starting from $4698* Taxes & Fees Apply

Join us on a 14-day round trip from Rome, Italy, on Lands of the Bible Cruise with 12 nights aboard Royal Caribbean, Odyssey of the Seas with Guest Speaker Jorge Acevedo, starting at $4,698* from New York, NY, departing on October 14, 2023. Journey to places such as Pompeii, Ephesus, Athens, Corinth, Santorini, Chania (Souda), Crete, Bodrum, Rhodes, Greece, Limassol, and much more!

What’s Included

  • All Inclusive Pricing
  • Border Taxes
  • 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
  • Administrative Fee

^ Additional Baggage & Optional fees may apply.

† If air purchased through EO.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 October 14 – DEPART THE USA

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

Day 2 October 15 – 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 16 – POMPEII

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

Day 4 October 17 – AT SEA

AT SEA

Day 5 October 18 – 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 vast agora and library, much has been lost. The ancient world once declared the Temple of Artemis 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 the 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 6 October 19 – 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 much 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 7 October 20 – SANTORINI

Santorini is one of the world’s most popular islands, known best for its dramatic scenery, whitewashed villages, and fiery volcanic activity. Take a cable car to the capital of Fira, a bustling cliff-top town awash with old cathedrals, enthralling museum collections, and cozy tavernas, or venture to the coast for a swim in the deep blue waters that lap red and black pebbled beaches.

Day 8 October 21 – Chania (Souda), Crete

Chania provides narrow streets lined with local shops and restaurants offering ceramic kitchenware, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, and savory dishes like zucchini fritters and stuffed calamari, to name a few! Then visit the Archeological Museum of Chania, home to artifacts from Neolithic to Roman times. Or enjoy the picture-perfect waters of Fallasarna, a beach surrounded by olive groves.

Day 9 October 22 – Bodrum, Türkiye

In Bodrum, awe in the wonder of the Bodrum Castle, a medieval fortress built partly with stones from the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, which was completed in the 4th century, B.C. Want to relax like a local? Visit Etrim Village and decompress in a Turkish bath experience that includes steaming, authentic scrubbing, foaming soap cleansing, and a foam massage. With all that there is to do in Bodrum, the possibilities are endless!

Day 10 October 23 – Rhodes, Greece

In Rhodes, you’ll be instantly greeted with serene white-sand beaches and wide-open blue skies. See the site in the harbor where the now-destroyed Colossus once stood. Head to the Old Town surrounded by medieval walls and seven ancient gates, and discover the Palace of the Grandmaster, with its mosaic floors dating from Hellenic, Roman, and early Christian times. Whatever you decide to do, we know you’ll have a memorable time!

Day 11 October 24 – LIMASSOL

Go deep into Cyprus’ history on a trip to Paphos from Limassol to explore ancient ruins, archaeological sites, and the goddess of love’s mythical birthplace. Travel past the Temple of Apollo on the way to this UNESCO-recognized city, and discover elaborate tombs in a 3rd-century necropolis. Explore Paphos’ Old Town before traveling to the archaeological park, where beautifully-preserved floor mosaics are a vibrant glimpse into Roman life and style.

Day 12 October 25 – AT SEA

AT SEA

Day 13 October 26 – AT SEA

AT SEA

Day 14 October 27 – RETURN TO THE USA OR ENJOY THE ROME POST -TOUR

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

Enhance Your Journey

Cappadocia & Istanbul Pre-Tour Starting from $998

October 10 - 15, 2023 | Starting at $998*

October 10 - Depart the USA
Your pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on your international overnight flight.

October 11 - Istanbul/Cappadocia
Arrive in Istanbul, then fly to Cappadocia and check into your hotel for dinner and overnight.

October 12 - 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.

October 13 - 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 14 - 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 1,000 years, built by Justinian (532-537 AD). 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 15 - 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 27 - 29, 2023 | Starting at $898*

October 27 - 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, sixteen 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 28 - 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 29 - 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.

Request More Information