JBVols Posted August 2, 2010 #1 Share Posted August 2, 2010 We are on the June 13, 2011 cruise from Rome to Athens. Three of the stops are in Israel, Egypt, and Syria. Of the three, only Syria requires a visa. After doing some research, I discovered that you can't get into Syria if your passport contains a Israel stamp it (which it will have when we get to Syria). In addition, you can't get into Israel if your passport has an Egypt stamp which it does since we have already been to Egypt. It looks to me like the only resolution to this problem would be to obtain a second passport. Could anyone who has been on this cruise in the past give me some advice. Also, has anyone used O service to obtain a visa for Syria. Oceania charges $229/visa which sounds pretty high to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimandStan Posted August 2, 2010 #2 Share Posted August 2, 2010 We are on the June 13, 2011 cruise from Rome to Athens. Three of the stops are in Israel, Egypt, and Syria. Of the three, only Syria requires a visa. After doing some research, I discovered that you can't get into Syria if your passport contains a Israel stamp it (which it will have when we get to Syria). In addition, you can't get into Israel if your passport has an Egypt stamp which it does since we have already been to Egypt. It looks to me like the only resolution to this problem would be to obtain a second passport. Could anyone who has been on this cruise in the past give me some advice. Also, has anyone used O service to obtain a visa for Syria. Oceania charges $229/visa which sounds pretty high to me. The individual countries dont stamp your passport when you pass through on a cruise, so this won't be an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kruzlvr Posted August 2, 2010 #3 Share Posted August 2, 2010 We are on the June 13, 2011 cruise from Rome to Athens. Three of the stops are in Israel, Egypt, and Syria. Of the three, only Syria requires a visa. After doing some research, I discovered that you can't get into Syria if your passport contains a Israel stamp it (which it will have when we get to Syria). In addition, you can't get into Israel if your passport has an Egypt stamp which it does since we have already been to Egypt. It looks to me like the only resolution to this problem would be to obtain a second passport. Could anyone who has been on this cruise in the past give me some advice. Also, has anyone used O service to obtain a visa for Syria. Oceania charges $229/visa which sounds pretty high to me. Jim and Stan: We are on the same cruise on April 23rd. We are letting O do our visa for Syria. Our choice was O or a visa service. The Syrian visa is $131.00. No visa is required for Israel if you are staying less than 90 days. So a "stamp" in your passport for visiting Syria is not an issue. The Eqyptian visa is $15.00.The rule "used" to be no Israel visa if you want to visit Egypt. The best course of action is to use a visa service. There are numerous ones on the web, choose one. Hope this helps helps. If you are not near a consulate the best course of action is a visa service. There are plenty of them on the web. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orange County Murphy Posted August 2, 2010 #4 Share Posted August 2, 2010 We were on a Silversea cruise last November which visited Egypt, Israel and Syria. Our passports were not stamped in Israel, instead authorities issued immigration cards. Passports were retained on board. We opted to stay overnight in Tel Aviv and rejoin the ship at Ashdod, the next port. We had no difficulty traveling independently without our passports. The immigration cards were handed in when we reboarded the ship. We planned to take a shore excursion in Syria rather than travel independently to simplify the visa question as Silversea would obtain a blanket visa to cover all passengers on its excursions. This would eliminate the need to obtain individual visas. Unfortunately, the stop at Tartous was canceled the day before our scheduled arrival. All of the passengers were disappointed, but passengers who had gone to the trouble and expense of obtaining individual visas were livid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cat Posted August 2, 2010 #5 Share Posted August 2, 2010 We are on this cruise in October 2010 and were just informed about the Syrian visa policy towards Americans which changed in June. We were offered the Oceania service, which, I believe, was $299 but planned to use a local agency we have used before for slightly less. However, given that it was a one-day stop, we opted to stay on board which Oceania indicated we can do. If you do not have a current passport with Israeli stamps or an Israeli passport, this is not an issue for Syria; however, Oceania has been quite clear and Syria as well that you cannot get a visa nor enter that country if you have either of the above. The Syrian application asks if you have been been to "occupied Palestine," whatever areas that term defines. We were also told by our TA that the Egyptian visa can be purchased on board the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted August 2, 2010 #6 Share Posted August 2, 2010 We are on this cruise in October 2010 and were just informed about the Syrian visa policy towards Americans which changed in June. We were offered the Oceania service, which, I believe, was $299 but planned to use a local agency we have used before for slightly less. However, given that it was a one-day stop, we opted to stay on board which Oceania indicated we can do.quote] To each his/her own, to be sure. We chose a cruise a few years ago BECAUSE they visited Syria and our day trip to Damascus was fascinating. There aren't that many chances to visit places like Syria (but perhaps some people do not wish to - and I respect that). But to not do it beacause of the visa cost does not make sense to me - it's a drop in the bucket compared with the cost of the entire trip. JMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PaulMCO Posted August 2, 2010 #7 Share Posted August 2, 2010 I have been to both and of course I have two passports. Most ME countries have anti-Israel VISA requirements and will deny you entry with any Israel stamps. The solution is to get a second passport. These are valid for two years. Any passport service can help you with the process. Israel does not prevent you from entry with Arab stamps. However if they inspect your passport you will be singled out for special security treatment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbb Posted August 3, 2010 #8 Share Posted August 3, 2010 We're booked for Wonders of the Ancients which includes Israel, Syria, and Egypt. So the concensus on the O board tonight is that one should acquire a 2nd passport; one for Israel and one for Syria and Egypt? How does that work if I have surrendered my passport to the O staff? If it is indeed this difficult why in the world would cruise ships go to these ports on the same itinerary? Perhaps I'm not understanding the answers given on this thread...help?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbb Posted August 3, 2010 #9 Share Posted August 3, 2010 and....it is not as if the good people staffing the passport offices in Egypt, Israel and Syria do not know where our ship has been, so why the necessity for the 2nd passport? A cruise ship is not some sort of stealth ship that can slip in and out of port undetected (and without paying port charges?) Why an itinerary of these ports if it is so difficult for passengers to go ashore? It has to be profitable for the company and easy for the passengers for this itinerary to work, otherwise it wouldn't be repeated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted August 3, 2010 #10 Share Posted August 3, 2010 cbb, You only need a second passport if you already have an Israeli stamp/visa in your current passport from a prior visit to Israel. If not, you do not need a second passport. Israel will NOT stamp your passport this time - only a separate visitor's card. Hope this helps. It's just a "silly game" that some ME countries like to play. Have no worries - it's a great trip and all stops are well worth it (IMO). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbb Posted August 3, 2010 #11 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Paul, so.....if I am going to Israel for the very 1st time which means no prior stamps in my passport, Israel will not put stamps in my passport THIS time which will then not upset Syria? Will Israel question me because I have visited 2 ports in Egypt a few days before? I realize that it must be a "game" but I'm just trying to get my head around all of this; I want my travel surprises to be delightful, not angst-filled! c Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbb Posted August 3, 2010 #12 Share Posted August 3, 2010 When we cruise, we visit every last port, are often the 1st ones off the ship and tend to wring every last minute out of our visits. We REALLY want to visit these ME ports so I'm trying to learn everything I can. Besides, if I post these questions I can sound like the dumb one and everyone else who reads this thread can learn, too! c Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted August 3, 2010 #13 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Paul,so.....if I am going to Israel for the very 1st time which means no prior stamps in my passport, Israel will not put stamps in my passport THIS time which will then not upset Syria? Will Israel question me because I have visited 2 ports in Egypt a few days before? I realize that it must be a "game" but I'm just trying to get my head around all of this; I want my travel surprises to be delightful, not angst-filled! c Correct, Israel will not stamp you passport and couldn't care less where you have been before or after. In fact some years ago, we did an organized tour in Israel (10 days) and then a tour in Egypt - flew right out of Tel Aviv to Cairo. No problems at all. Israel and Egypt have an understanding that no other Arab country (other than Jordan) has with Israel - they are not exactly friends but tolerate each other. It's all the other ME Arab countries that might give you a problem IF you have an Israeli stamp in your passport. But you will not have one and you will have a GREAT cruise! Relax and enjoy! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbb Posted August 3, 2010 #14 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Paul, thanks to you I have officially relaxed!!! We were going to do an organized tour of Israel and a Nile River cruise either before or after but our TA suggested that we might be questioned by some officials of one of the govts so we decided to go with O and visit some new places and see some other places again. We're really looking forward to it and thanks to you it is something I am no longer concerned about. We leave next month for Scan. Splendors and Artistic Sojourn and can't wait. So many cool things to see and do, foods to eat, beverages to sample...Thanks again Paul! I'll think of you when I have my tapas in Bilbao! c Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted August 3, 2010 #15 Share Posted August 3, 2010 cbb, You are welcome :). Bon voyage et bon appetite! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbb Posted August 3, 2010 #16 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Paul is bilingual? I'm envious. Reminds me of the old joke I usually tell the wonderful people who help me in European shops. "What do you call a person who speaks three languages......trilingual. What do you call a person who speaks two languages....bilingual. What do you call a person who speaks one language.....American!" Never fails to amuse. One young Swedish woman wrote it down to tell her friends!! Thanks again for all your help!! Where is your next trip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted August 3, 2010 #17 Share Posted August 3, 2010 I am trilingual (unfortunately French is not one of those languages - only enough to get by). The ones I am fluent in are useless :). We're off soon to explore the former Yugoslavia and all its new republics on land and sea (first cruise with Azamara). Looking forward to it. I like your joke - have to remember it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CintiPam Posted August 8, 2010 #18 Share Posted August 8, 2010 "what do you call a person who speaks three languages......trilingual. What do you call a person who speaks two languages....bilingual. What do you call a person who speaks one language.....american!" :d:d:d!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CintiPam Posted August 8, 2010 #19 Share Posted August 8, 2010 Reminds me of the old joke I usually tell the wonderful people who help me in European shops. "What do you call a person who speaks three languages......trilingual. What do you call a person who speaks two languages....bilingual. What do you call a person who speaks one language.....American!" Never fails to amuse. One young Swedish woman wrote it down to tell her friends!! I will try again::):):)!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trishs Posted August 18, 2010 #20 Share Posted August 18, 2010 We are on this cruise in October 2010 and were just informed about the Syrian visa policy towards Americans which changed in June. We were offered the Oceania service, which, I believe, was $299 but planned to use a local agency we have used before for slightly less. However, given that it was a one-day stop, we opted to stay on board which Oceania indicated we can do.quote] To each his/her own, to be sure. We chose a cruise a few years ago BECAUSE they visited Syria and our day trip to Damascus was fascinating. There aren't that many chances to visit places like Syria (but perhaps some people do not wish to - and I respect that). But to not do it beacause of the visa cost does not make sense to me - it's a drop in the bucket compared with the cost of the entire trip. JMO We are on the cruise O April 23rd also. We have a stop in TARTOUS, SYRIA Did you do Damascus with the cruise or a private guide? Thanks Trish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted August 18, 2010 #21 Share Posted August 18, 2010 We are on the cruise O April 23rd also. We have a stop in TARTOUS, SYRIA Did you do Damascus with the cruise or a private guide? Thanks Trish We were there with a different cruise line (Silversea) and did the tour with the ship. Damascus is a fair distance from Tartous and this is one of the countries I did not want to take any chances on missing the ship. The tour was wonderful as were the people we met in Damascus - most people smiled at us (I was not expecting that but was pleasantly surprised). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trishs Posted August 18, 2010 #22 Share Posted August 18, 2010 I think the ship tour is a good idea. I don't think I would like to miss the ship either. It's so great to hear they smiled at you. I enjoy it so much more when they smile! Thanks for your advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billie5 Posted August 18, 2010 #23 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Damascus is more than a "fair" distance from Tartous. 250 km is probably a decent estimate (and no interstate connecting them!)-- a lot less by air, which might confuse some people into thinking they are not that far apart. As much as I hate taking ship's excursions, this is one where I would make an exception. Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trishs Posted August 18, 2010 #24 Share Posted August 18, 2010 Sounds good. When they O post a tour I'll check it out. I know they can cancel their tours but that's ok, I have guides set for other stops. Thanks for the distance! Trish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulchili Posted August 19, 2010 #25 Share Posted August 19, 2010 Sounds good. When they O post a tour I'll check it out. I know they can cancel their tours but that's ok, I have guides set for other stops. Thanks for the distance! Trish It is not very likely that they would cancel the tour to Damascus. Is unlikely that many others have been there before - thus I would assume that this will be a very popular tour (cancellations are usually for lack of interest). In any case, there would be other excursions to Syria. PS if anything, I would book the tour early before it fills up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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