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

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

Disembark the ship in Naples and travel towards Mount Vesuvius to uncover the fascinating history of Pompeii. Embark on a guided walking tour of the ancient Roman city’s archaeological ruins below formidable Mount Vesuvius. Traverse the historic excavation site with an informative guide through the city’s forum and past grand temples, mansions, and Roman baths. View artifacts recovered from the 79 AD volcanic blast when 20 feet of ash and pumice buried the entire city.

AT SEA 

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 on board.

Shore excursions today will be booked directly through Royal Caribbean and are not included.

Discover the rich architectural splendor of the ancient city of Athens as your guide introduces you to the world-renowned Acropolis, the Propylaea, the Parthenon and the Erechtheum. 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.” As you stroll the agora (ancient marketplace and center of Athenian public life), recall that this was where the Apostle Paul preached “Jesus and the resurrection” to the skeptical Athenians. Also, see 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.

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.

Delve into a Cretan cultural experience that includes guided sightseeing at Lake Kournas, the Arkadi Monastery and the bustling town of Rethymnon. The first stop is at Lake Kournas, where you’ll savor a delicious treat of traditional cheese pie with honey among white sands and ancient olive trees. Next up is a tour of the fortress-like monastery, whose history dates to Byzantine times. Finish with a stroll through distinctively ancient yet distinctly modern Rethymnon.

AT SEA

Transfer to the Rome airport to return home with a new understanding of the Apostle Paul’s life and ministry or enjoy an extension.