Day 7 - The Suez Canal - Transit Day

I wasn’t up early enough to catch us as we reached Port Said, the northern point of entry into the Suez Canal, but I was there for the sunrise on this Mother’s Day May 12, 2013.

Sunrise aboard the Mariner of the Seas - In Transit Suez Canal

The Suez Canal is about 100 miles in length terminating in the Gulf of Suez, thus connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Gulf of Suez and then with the Red Sea.

Egypt as seen from the Mariner transiting the Suez Canal

This canal provides a faster and easier way to get from Europe to Asia, without having to sail around the southern tip of Africa. You can Google the history of the building of the canal and also read about the various wars between Egypt and Israel and understand how important this waterway is.

We are due to arrive in Suez this evening and then on to Safaga with an expected early morning arrival on Monday.