Tours

Passages of the Bible Cruise with Guest Speaker Rev. Tim Runtsch | Oct 15, 2023

13 days
Egypt, Greece, The Holy Land & Türkiye
Starting from $4898* Taxes & Fees Apply

Join us for 13 days and 11 nights aboard Celebrity Apex with speaker Rev. Tim Runtsch on the Passages of the Bible Cruise starting at $4,898* from New York, NY, on October 15, 2023. You will see the Museum of Ephesus, Athens, stand on Mars Hill as the Apostle Paul did, the Sea of Galilee, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, explore the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, and so 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
  • Guided Tours
  • Hotel Gratuities
  • International Airfare from NY
  • Meals on Ship
  • Overseas Airport Transfers
  • Port Charges
  • Classic Beverage Package
  • Unlimited Surf Wifi Package
  • Administrative Fees

^ Additional Baggage & Optional fees may apply.

† If air purchased through EO.

Daily Itinerary

Day 1 October 15 – DEPART THE USA

Your Journey of a Lifetime begins as you depart the USA on your international overnight flight.

Day 2 October 16 – ARRIVE IN ATHENS

You will arrive in Athens, Greece, where you will be met by our representative and transferred to the port in Piraeus to board the Celebrity Apex.

Day 3 October 17 –AT SEA

AT SEA

Day 4 October 18 – 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 will 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 5 October 19 – BETHLEHEM

While docked in Ashdod, explore Bethlehem, where you will discover the cave revered as the place where Jesus was born (Matt. 1; Luke 2). The Church of the Nativity constructed over the site is the oldest functioning church.

Day 6 October 20 – 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 7 October 21 – AT SEA

AT SEA

Day 8 October 22 – CAIRO & PYRAMIDS OF GIZA

Explore the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities. It contains 120,000 artifacts! Then, head to the Pyramids of Giza, one of the only existing Wonders of the Ancient World. Nearby, view the Great Sphinx of Giza, the largest and most well-known Sphinx.

Day 9 October 23 – ALEXANDRIA

See the sights in Egypt's second-largest city, Alexandria. The large Jewish community that once called this area home wrote the Septuagint - a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. It was also home to the Great Library of Alexandria, which once held one of the most extensive collections of ancient texts. Make your way through Alexandria's side streets to the catacombs consisting of three burial chamber levels. Visit Pompey's Pillar, the largest triumphal column and the only known free-standing column of Roman Egypt. The amphitheater of Alexandria is one of the city's most distinguished highlights and is set within view of many modern structures. Glimpse the Citadel of Qaitbay, a 15th-century fortress situated on the northern tip of Pharos Island. Then, enjoy leisure time exploring this legendary city on your own.

Day 10 October 24 – AT SEA

AT SEA

Day 11 October 25 – EPHESUS

Ephesus is one of the Seven Churches of Revelation and was once a bustling port town with wide, colonnade-bordered streets and a population of 250,000. Spectacular excavations have revealed much of the glory of ancient Ephesus, including the huge agora and library, but 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 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 12 October 26 – 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 13 October 27 – RETURN TO THE USA or ENJOY A POST-TOUR

Transfer to the airport to return home with a new understanding of the Passages of the Bible and ministry or continue onto an optional post-tour.

Enhance Your Journey

Cappadocia & Istanbul Pre tour Starting from $998

October 11 - 16, 2023 Starting at $998*

October 11 - Depart the USA
Depart the USA on your flight to Kayseri, Turkey.

October 12 - Fly to Cappadocia
Arrive in Kayseri and check into your hotel for dinner and overnight.

October 13 - 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 14 - 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 15 - 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 16 - Join the Cruise Group in touring Athens

NOTE: Hot air balloon 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.

Departure Dates

  1. Sunday, October 15, 2023
    From $4898* Sold Out!
*A 3.5% surcharge will be added to all credit card transactions.