After an excellent cruise aboard the Valiant Lady in May 2022, from Portsmouth to Barcelona, it is with great pleasure that I return to the next boat in the series, the Resilient Lady, identical in every way to its predecessor, apart from a few decorative elements.
So I’m not going to describe the ship in detail or the main lines of the young Virgin Voyages company, everything is already written in my previous article. I’m going to focus on the few differences that I could see, and come back to the specialty restaurants, always included, whose menus have sometimes been drastically modified. And of course describe the itinerary, a first for me, and for a long time on my “bucket list”… the Suez Canal.
From Athens to Dubai, during 2 weeks
Getting to Piraeus, the port of Athens, can be done by metro. But between the metro exit and the dock where the ship is, the distance can be significant to cover on foot (and with suitcases). There is public transport, such as a shuttle around the port, but on the day of our departure, it was not working. Taxis offer to make the journey of 1 to 2 kilometers maximum, for a friendly price (between 10 and 20€). A bit like in Civitavecchia, in Italy, where the tourist is mostly seen as a pigeon. Because at that price, you can take taxi from the center of Athens and arrive at the port, directly on the embarkation dock…
The cabin, a fairly central balcony, was directly accessible upon boarding.
The first port of call is a classic of Mediterranean cruises, magnificent but saturated by the thousands of tourists who disembark each morning from the more or less gigantic cruise ships. The small port of Santorini (which is at the foot of the city perched on its rock) is then only a long queue to take the cable cars. It is possible to go up on foot, or to do it on the back of a donkey.
The city remains breathtaking to visit, due to its geographical location, strewn on a rocky island or due to the architecture of its immaculate houses clinging to the walls. The bars and restaurants with breathtaking views are stormed but we do not regret the break to admire the view.
The late departure of the ship (10pm) is not very common. Only the most luxurious companies allow it. Sunset and city lit up at night are a bonus, that’s for sure!
Before entering the Suez Canal, a 2-day stopover in Port Said. The stop was even longer than planned because the Resilent Lady had to wait to be able to join a train of ships different from the one planned. The war in Gaza, not far away, and the possible troubles on the Canal have led to a strengthening of security, already quite high in the sector. Military ships accompany the convoys.
From Port Said, an excursion takes us throughout a tiring day to pyramids and museums, with a bonus lunch cruise on the Nile. Fascinating, especially thanks to our guide who explains to us both the historical side and the contemporary geo-political situation of Egypt.
The next day, the Resilient Ladty finally sets off on the Suez Canal and joins a train of ships. The crossing will last until nightfall. Unlike the Panama Canal which begins and ends with its immense locks, here we remain at sea level, first the Mediterranean and then the Red Sea. Only bridges and ports brighten up the progress. Fishermen greet the passengers from their boats. The heat is stifling. The landscape is breathtaking, both flat and desert-like, cut in two by this improbable flow of water. The work to expand the canal seems to be finished, making its width even more impressive.
At the exit of the Canal, start of the Red Sea and new port of call: Safaga.
Another excursion, this time to Luxor, with lunch in a sumptuous hotel on the banks of the Nile. The Museum lives up to my expectations.
The Temple of Karnak at sunset will remain one of the most memorable memories of this cruise and its stops.
After a few days at sea, still under good escort, the Resilent Lady arrives in Dubai, with a night on site, time to rediscover shopping centers and skyscrapers that make its reputation. More than 40°C (104°F) outside, but everything is air-conditioned, even sometimes the outside…
A night in a hotel in Dubai before taking a plane to Paris via Kuwait City, with a nice surprise in store.
Next page, a tour of the numerous on-board dining options, to compare them to my first experience with Virgin Voyages, which had set the bar very, very high.
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