israel egypt & med cruise

[sticks52]

Hi on the upcoming Israel Egypt & med cruise are you better to book the Israel excursions with celebrity or are there good tour operators waiting at the port to take you in there mini bus tours and if yes will they be safe thanks 

[John Bull]

Some years back, we found tours available outside the port gate in Haifa. Good, and inexpensive.

But last year there was no sign of any tours available on-spec. The train station is just a 5 - 10 minute walk, the town centre just a little further, and there were taxis at the port.

 

Ashdod is much more secure, as far as I'm aware you still need ship's or port's free transport to the port gate. The port is a little remote from the town or facilities, and again we saw only taxis at the port gate.

 

So I recommend that you pre-book a tour for either, or just transportation to Jerusalem.

Or for Haifa check out trains to Acre (various spellings), or walk into town, or take a taxi to the top of Bahai Gardens & walk down through to Gardens to the town. 

 

No need for a ship's tour, there are reputable tour operators in Israel but you do need to book.

And check your RollCall for any fellow-cruisers who are seeking tour sharers.   https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/127-celebrity-roll-calls/

But (particularly for Ashdod) do check your travel insurance and / or the tour operators' cancellation terms for when the ship doesn't make port (no charge for a booked ship's tour in those circumstances), the political situation in Israel is a little volatile and late cancellation of a port isn't unusual.

 

You also need to pre-book a tour (not just transportation) for Cairo from Alex. or Port Said. Ship's tour is probably your best bet 

 

JB 🙂

[sticks52]

4 hours ago, John Bull said:

Some years back, we found tours available outside the port gate in Haifa. Good, and inexpensive.

But last year there was no sign of any tours available on-spec. The train station is just a 5 - 10 minute walk, the town centre just a little further, and there were taxis at the port.

 

Ashdod is much more secure, as far as I'm aware you still need ship's or port's free transport to the port gate. The port is a little remote from the town or facilities, and again we saw only taxis at the port gate.

 

So I recommend that you pre-book a tour for either, or just transportation to Jerusalem.

Or for Haifa check out trains to Acre (various spellings), or walk into town, or take a taxi to the top of Bahai Gardens & walk down through to Gardens to the town. 

 

No need for a ship's tour, there are reputable tour operators in Israel but you do need to book.

And check your RollCall for any fellow-cruisers who are seeking tour sharers.   https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/127-celebrity-roll-calls/

But (particularly for Ashdod) do check your travel insurance and / or the tour operators' cancellation terms for when the ship doesn't make port (no charge for a booked ship's tour in those circumstances), the political situation in Israel is a little volatile and late cancellation of a port isn't unusual.

 

You also need to pre-book a tour (not just transportation) for Cairo from Alex. or Port Said. Ship's tour is probably your best bet 

 

JB 🙂

 

[sticks52]

7 hours ago, John Bull said:

Some years back, we found tours available outside the port gate in Haifa. Good, and inexpensive.

But last year there was no sign of any tours available on-spec. The train station is just a 5 - 10 minute walk, the town centre just a little further, and there were taxis at the port.

 

Ashdod is much more secure, as far as I'm aware you still need ship's or port's free transport to the port gate. The port is a little remote from the town or facilities, and again we saw only taxis at the port gate.

 

So I recommend that you pre-book a tour for either, or just transportation to Jerusalem.

Or for Haifa check out trains to Acre (various spellings), or walk into town, or take a taxi to the top of Bahai Gardens & walk down through to Gardens to the town. 

 

No need for a ship's tour, there are reputable tour operators in Israel but you do need to book.

And check your RollCall for any fellow-cruisers who are seeking tour sharers.   https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/127-celebrity-roll-calls/

But (particularly for Ashdod) do check your travel insurance and / or the tour operators' cancellation terms for when the ship doesn't make port (no charge for a booked ship's tour in those circumstances), the political situation in Israel is a little volatile and late cancellation of a port isn't unusual.

 

You also need to pre-book a tour (not just transportation) for Cairo from Alex. or Port Said. Ship's tour is probably your best bet 

 

JB 🙂

Thanks for your help JB much appreciated 

[aussie cruzer]

We went to Israel last year on Odyssey,booked a private tour with Guided tours Israel with our cruise critic group…also booked through cruise line for Masada & Dead Sea.

 

What ever you do,book early…tours sell out quick in Israel.

[Lois R]

Not sure when the OP is cruising but right now I cannot imagine any of the cruise lines are going to Israel......and for the upcoming few weeks too.

[GonzoWCS]

Just notified by Celebrity that our March 4 Infinity Cruise will replace Israel and Egypt with a bunch of Greek Islands.   They are making that change through April 2024... We are cancelling that particular cruise. 

 

Cheers