Overnight in Jerusalem

Has anyone stayed overnight in Jerusalem? Do you need to do anything special regarding notifying the cruise line? Any hassles from the cruise line?

We did that while our ship (RCI) overnited in Ashdod.

I don't recall asking permission but we did inform security, our cabin steward, and our table-mates (traditional dining).

Took our passports with us, but don't recall whether we were asked to produce them at the hotel.

Shared a rental car via our RollCall.

All worked out very well, no problems & well worth the arrangements.

Be aware that Ashdod might be dropped from the itinerary at a moment's notice, so any expenses that you commit (eg hotel booking) are at risk. More importantly, if you disembark in Haifa aiming to catch-up in Ashdod you could be stranded if the ship fails to port in Ashdod.

Low risks, but significant consequences.

JB :)

Thanks! The cruise I was considering only goes to Haifa.

Just did this two weeks ago from Haifa on Oceania

Needed to let cruise line know with phone number and hotel.

Stayed at the Mamilla hotel in Jerusalem -- wonderful hotel.

Leave plenty of time to get back to the ship. We did and made it with time to spare, but cruise line tours were late because of traffic jams on the highway.

You will need your passport as the hotel needs this as proof for being VAT exempt.

Thanks! The cruise I was considering only goes to Haifa.

From Haifa the drive is further (about 1hr 40 instead of about 50 minutes). But Haifa is much much less likely to be dropped than Ashdod :)

JB :)

We are doing this in October and Celebrity had us fill out a form because we were getting off in Haifa and not returning til the boat was in Ashdod. We are taking the train to Jerusalem. There is a station in Haifa right by the cruise terminal. The fare is 18USD return per person and no traffic though there is a change of train in Tel-Aviv.