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.

Very sorry to hear that. I'm a first time cruiser myself so unlikely to be able to offer much advice. Is your travel insurance in place yet, and could this offer any recourse ?

I don't think the matter is totally in MSC's hands. They are also reliant on what the Saudi Embassy(s) (in the various countries) are telling them. In my case they have told me something completely different to what (on the face of it) they have advised MSC. @Lisichka are you also in a cruise that will go to Saudi Arabia ?

@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.

Okay so how do you suggest I tell the Saudi Embassy that they are wrong and MSC are right? Do you really think they will care what I have to say?

Following on from my previous post, I also followed up with MSC UK and received the following response. Now I'm really confused as they appear to giving information which is contrary to what the Saudi Embassy in London have told me:

Yes I agree, but history has taught me not to argue with the Saudi Embassy.

Hi ...I've just got off the phone to the Saudi Embassy in London to check the status of my Transit Visa application. This was the one applied for using the following link: https://www.msccruises.com//en-gl/Assets/Transit-Visa-online-application.pdf The embassy have advised me that the Transit Visa is no longer offered to UK travellers, so they have cancelled my application. Very annoying that this was not made clear on the application status, nor did anyone bother to call me from the Embassy. So for UK travellers the only option is to apply for the more expensive Tourist Visa. I know some are going for the option of getting MSC to sort this for them on board, but Jeddah is a key port for me to visit so I'm not going to leave it to chance. I hope that's a useful update for all in the UK at least. @SolandBud I believe you are also from UK - what is status of your transit visa ? Have you checked with the Embassy in London ?

Hi All, I will try and update this on other threads as well....I've just got off the phone to the Saudi Embassy in London to check the status of my Transit Visa application. This was the one applied for using the following link: https://www.msccruises.com//en-gl/Assets/Transit-Visa-online-application.pdf The embassy have advised me that the Transit Visa is no longer offered to UK travellers, so they have cancelled my application. Very annoying that this was not made clear on the application status, nor did anyone bother to call me from the Embassy. So for UK travellers the only option is to apply for the more expensive Tourist Visa. I know some are going for the option of getting MSC to sort this for them on board, but Jeddah is a key port for me to visit so I'm not going to leave it to chance. I hope that's a useful update for all in the UK at least.

Hi @SolandBudany updates on the status of your transit visa ? Mine has been stuck on "under process" status since I applied on 15 November. Any help appreciated.

This is very helpful. Thank you.