nuvolablue

We are Muslim so you used the opportunity to visit the Grand Mosque in Mecca; I don't think that would be an available option for you unless you are Muslim. Another couple on our cruise did the Jeddah old city tour and found it quite underwhelming. I tried very hard to get the transit visa (see my earlier reference to that thread), but didn't understand the process fully. I think if you are comfortable playing a game of "chicken" then the transit visa is much cheaper and a good option........for me the risk of not knowing whether I would have a visa or not till the day off arrival was too much. I opted for the Tourist Visa; it's very quick and gets approved and emailed within 5-10mins.

This thread is helpful: If you have any specific questions, I'd be happy to help, Jeddah was a port of call on our Red Sea Cruise in Dec 22.

These posts are very helpful, but a great pity that MSC do not make this clear to passengers prior to them embarking. Why can't they just add some of the detail above to their Red Sea Cruise visa page: https://www.msccruises.com/en-gl/assets/document-visa-red-sea.pdf ???

I note that the 2023/2024 season of Red Cruises aboard MSC Orchestra have dropped KSA Yanbu Al Bahr as a port of destination and replaced it with Sharm El Sheih. I wonder if this has anything to do with the KSA visa issues.

Arrived back from our 18-25 December sailing of Red Cruise. I didn't speak to lots of other passengers, but the ones I did speak to all had to get the more expensive tourist visa. Not heard of the transit visa being issued to anyone.

Sounds free to me 😃

Got it. That's a helpful analogy. Thanks.

Would be great to hear from someone who can confirm the above from first hand experience.

Thanks for that since I made my post I found the following which confirms they do have free WiFi in certain areas. https://www.msccruises.co.uk/on-board/internet-apps/wifi

Hi, does anyone know if MSC has any areas of the (Splendida) ship where there is free Internet available, perhaps in an on board business center or Internet cafe? I'm really trying to avoid buying the extortionately priced Internet package. I only intend on using Internet on the ship if really necessary; for port days I have access to an international sim. Thanks all.

Yes mine has been the same under process status for around three weeks now. The embassy don't answer the phone and don't answer emails. I will give it another week tops and then apply for the more expensive tourist visa.

Which cruise is that?

Okay,....... slightly irrelevant post for this particular thread.

@Lisichka Are you also doing the Red Sea Cruise ? And if so how is the progress of your Saudi Visa application ? Please do share any insights or advice. Thanks.

@Lisichkait's all detailed on @Newleno's previous posts.