If you’re thumbing through a brochure offering cruises try to find one that takes you through the Suez canal. Parts of this important world artery were dredged more than 2,000 years ago. The modern waterway extending a hundred miles from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea was opened in 1869 and widening continues today to meet ever-growing need.

The Suez will give you some views of global commerce you can’t find any other way. It is a busy and vital link with a constant flow of heavy traffic. One day I counted 26 ships lined up and waiting for permission to enter the canal at the Southern end near Suez City. At this historic site a large mosque with towering minarets overlooks a harbor filled with small service boats shuttling between ships and shore.