spatsmcd

We're considering using Nile Blue for an overnight. Which hotel did any of you stay at? They gave us two prices, one for a Five Star, and one for a Four Star hotel This is the only question they haven't answered yet. We're trying to decide between Nile Blue and Ramses. Thanks.

Last August we went with them got the quote with the their hotels, I asked for a price quote for the Mena House new wing with a balcony view of the pyramids. I couldn't believe the prices was less then $50 more for 1 of the best hotels there. It was still less for 2 of us then for 1 on the ships tour, and jumped on it, it is a great hotel. Sitting on the balcony looking at the Pyramids in the evening and morning could not be beat. The room was very large as was the bathroom, they have paved walkways around the properties.

This reminds me of something that really bothered me on an NCL cruise a few weeks ago.

 

NCL held our passports upon check-in, telling us they had to because of the G-8 summit that had already concluded in Rome. We were told we could retrieve them a couple of days later.

 

When the time came to pick them up, we were told to report to one of the lounges. There was a long line, so when I got to the desk I asked if I could pick up all the passports for my family. They happily handed me eight passports (associated with four different rooms) that had four different last names and never questioned whether I had any right to them. That bothered me.

On my Princess cruise they didn't even let me take my DH's passport, i guess it depends on each ship/captain?

The reason you need to turn in your passports on a cruise would be to get visa that are needed for ie. Turkey, Egypt, Russia... An agent from the country will board the ship on a prior port go through the passports and issue the visa. Your passport will be returned to you before that port, i would think unless you get your own visa you won't be able to leave the ship(or have to get the visa while in port, if you can)

Yes we will be doing Nazareth and Galilee.

My dh is from Ireland and would like to go to Bethlehem, I am Irish American(also Cathlolic) and History was my major, so that is my focus. Although i would like to see the new city, would i have time? I am starting to look for independent tours. thank you.

I will be on the Royal Princess late August and was wondering how far it is from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and is it worth it to go to Bethlehem or use the extra time in Jerusalem. Both options are shore excersions.

thank you.