FTI Cruises has moved the 2012/2013 winter program of the Berlin from the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea.

The Berlin will sail seven-day cruises between Safaga and Sharm El Sheik, embarking and disembarking in both ports, with other ports of call being Aqaba and Ain Sukhna. The first cruise is Nov. 11 with the season concluding with the last departure March 10.

Shore excursions include trips to the Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Petra, the pyramids of Giza and the Monastery of Saint Catherine, in addition to the Nile. FTI has its own tourism infrastructure in Egypt, and previously carried more than 15,000 passengers aboard the Sapphire on Red Sea programs.

Rates start at 599 euro per person, double occupancy. Flights from Germany, Austria or Switzerland to Egypt are available from 358 euro per person. Bookings made before the end of September (2012) qualify for a 100 euro savings.

According to FTI, the originally planned Indian Ocean program had to be changed because of cumbersome and costly Indian visa procedures.