Come for the expedition, stay for the expedition vessel. Here’s what you’ll experience on the brand-new Ocean Odyssey:

• Eight stateroom configurations, most of which have full walk-out balconies, for the most flexible style of travel — plus, suites designed for comfortable triple-occupancy as well as adjoining room options
• A culinary program offering gourmet dining incorporating regional fare
• All beer and wine included with dinner
• Health and wellness options including an onboard spa, swimming pool, and gymnasium
• Expert cultural lecturers and curated performances
• Knowledgeable expedition staff by region
• Separate, intimate space for all of your group’s private dining needs (available upon request)
• Environmentally friendly standards with reduced emissions into air and sea and lower energy consumption
• Dynamic positioning technology
• State-of-the-art safety technology, Polar Code 6 compliant, and fully compliant with the latest SOLAS requirements in expedition cruising
• Rolls-Royce stabilizer system; “Safe Return to Port” technology
• Multiple launching platforms to allow for easy and quick loading of expedition landing craft, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards
• Small passenger-to-crew ratio
• Onboard medical doctor
• Boutique
• Elevator from bottom to top deck

During the course of your adventure, you will have opportunities for active walks and explorations of ancient ruins and medieval cities, including longer treks and climbs to overlooks for spectacular views. There will also be opportunities for swimming (weather dependent) and for taking kayaks or bicycles off the ship to explore your beautiful surroundings.

• Kayak or snorkel in Sharm El Sheikh, home to one of the world’s most pristine marine environments, admiring colorful coral reefs and crystalline waters
• Take a swim in Israel’s Dead Sea or explore Old Jerusalem and other sacred sites by foot
• Follow Santorini’s narrow streets and twisting staircases during our explorations of this intriguing island. Afterwards, descend by cable car to the port area. Note that you will be tendering to shore in Santorini
• Take advantage of opportunities in Mykonos for swimming and biking
• Walk around Athens’ charming Plaka district, the old town at the foot of the Acropolis, where you can explore flower-bedecked streets and stop into a restaurant or café. Climb the hill to the Acropolis, then enjoy a walking tour that includes the Parthenon
• Enjoy extensive walking in Petra

A long and storied history of arts and culture await during this enriching itinerary.

• Stroll the culture-rich streets of Amman, Jordan’s cosmopolitan capital
• Marvel at the fantastically preserved mosaic floors of the Houses of Dionysos, Aion and Theseus on Cyprus, OR visit the Cypriot village of Choirokoitia
  and observe a cheese-making and basket-weaving demonstration in a local home
• Dine on the creations of a Turkish Master Chef whom we have invited aboard to prepare dinner for you!
• Sample tasty Greek appetizers and sip ouzo during a tour break on Mykonos
• Discover the art of Petra's Treasury
• Visit the Coptic Orthodox church in Sharm El Sheikh, considered one of the top 10 most beautiful modern churches in the world

Discover some of the most significant cultural and historic treasures in the world throughout your cruise.

• Visit 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Petra; Old Jerusalem and its Walls; Paphos; the medieval city of Rhodes; Ephesus; and the Acropolis in Athens
• Marvel at the rock-carved city of Petra, etched into the red sandstone of Jordan’s desert
• Step into prehistory at the archaeological site of Akrotiri, frozen in time by a volcanic eruption around 1600 BC
• Stroll the cobbled streets of Rhodes, Europe’s oldest still-inhabited medieval enclave
• Walk the ancient lanes of Ephesus and perhaps hear the echoes of St. Paul, who once preached here
• Explore the Acropolis of Athens, grandly perched atop a dramatic hill overlooking the city
• Your choice of tours, both UNESCO-listed: Paphos, or Choirokoitia Village
• Visit Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Sea of Galilee

You’ll enjoy a spectrum of picturesque sights and scenes on this expedition — from ancient lands to arid landscapes and azure waters. Here are a few tips to help you photograph them along the way:

• Enjoy photography opportunities from the Ocean Odyssey deck
• Don’t be afraid of the dark! Exploring cities and landmarks at night offers different lighting and unique new perspectives — just make sure you have a tripod or your camera comes equipped with a night feature!
• Change your perspective. Try shooting from a different angle, for example. Climb a stairwell and shoot a landscape from up high or, alternately, get low and shoot a scene from the ground. Wherever you are, embrace this artistic challenge by getting out of your comfort zone!
• Take a selfie! You’ll be glad to have a few portraits of yourself at the distinctive landmarks you’ll find on this journey
• Look beyond the landmarks — sometimes everyday scenes are just as inspiring, and provide a lesson in embracing the unexpected and seizing the moment in front of you

Music reveals the heart and soul of a place. You’ll have ample opportunity to celebrate culture, and even sing and dance along!

• Be entertained by local musicians aboard the ship during the Suez Canal crossing and in Cyprus, Turkey, and Mykonos
• Lose yourself to the rhythms of traditional Turkish music while in Ephesus

Few other places in the world are so fully steeped in religious history. Here are some of the most significant sites you’ll see:

• Admire the architectural splendor of the Mustafa Mosque and the Coptic Orthodox Church in Sharm El Sheikh
• Be inspired by comprehensive tours in Israel that take in some of the most moving sites of biblical history such as Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Capernaum, the Basilica of Annunciation, and more
• Visit the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus is said to have walked on water
• Visit Rhodes and its enormous Grand Masters Palace, built by the Knights of St. John upon their return from the Crusades
• View the Panagia Tourliani Monastery, built by monks in 1542 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary

The soul-stirring beauty of the natural world greets you at every turn, from the stark beauty of desert sands to the glittering islands of the Aegean.

• Experience awe-inspiring Petra, a prehistoric city that was carved into the pink sandstone cliffs of Jordan’s southwestern desert
• Grab your included binoculars to marvel at vast desert vistas that surround the Suez Canal during a two-day crossing
• Enjoy a scenic boat ride across the stunning Sea of Galilee
• Marvel at the varied and intense beauty of the Israel countryside during included tours
• Take in the stark beauty of the Dead Sea as you float upon its famously buoyant waters
• Enjoy spectacular views of the Aegean as we follow Santorini’s narrow streets and twisting staircases during our explorations of this intriguing island
• Sail the Aegean, passing through the Cyclades island cluster

Your solo-friendly voyage has been enhanced with special features catering to independent travelers, including:

• Complimentary biking options — take a spin alongside your Concierge, who will lead small-group bike rides, or explore independently with our complimentary locks, helmets, and biking maps
• A lively social media night and musical performances most nights
• Solo-friendly social activities, including a Solo Connection mixer
• Onboard entertainment, lectures, and cooking demonstrations

Your onboard Vantage Concierge will be available throughout your entire cruise to help you customize your journey. Here are just a few services your Concierge can provide:

• Special celebrations. Do you have a big birthday, anniversary, family reunion or other important event you want to celebrate on board? Let your Concierge know and he or she can make all the special arrangements, whether it’s a private reception in your suite, a gathering in the lounge, a celebration in the Captain’s Club, and more.
• Restaurant reservations. Just notify your Concierge of your interests, and he or she will be happy to make recommendations, and will call ahead to reserve your table.
• Special excursions. Maybe you need a limo to take you for a special night on the town. Perhaps you’re interested in tracking down long-lost relatives. Your Concierge is here to help!
• Extend your stay! Your Concierge can help modify your hotel reservations and flights if you decide to stay on.
• Tickets to local concerts, exhibits, theater, sporting events, and more.
• Concierge-guided bike tours using the 20 available complimentary bicycles your ship has onboard.

Take advantage of this free, start-to-finish service by making your requests prior to your journey or during your journey. Call 1-888-982-6824 or email Concierge@vantagetravel.com to speak to a Concierge today, or simply log into MyPortfolio up to two weeks prior to departure.