Holy Land cruise

We are taking one in 3 weeks, will let you know about ours after, if you haven't had many replies.

Thanks Charli, the one we are looking at is the Pacific Prncess, 12 days Athens to Rome, with stops at Ephesus, Haifa, Ashdod, Cairo, Alexandria, Sorrento. The Israel portion would have tours to Gaililee and Jerusalem.
I think the Holyland is not exactly a hot destination so I do not expect many esponses. If you ahve a trip report,that would be great. I am concerned about security, travel documents, fellow passenegrs (due to destination) etc.

just got back from our Celebrity holy land cruise and loved every minute on it. The excursions were fantastic, the ship brand new (need I say more). we took an overnight in Cario which was first class. Would highly recommend it to all.

Thanks mamakathy, what otehr stops you have and was it "safe" in Jerusalem? I heard on the news that there was riots.

Actually, Israel is a particularly popular cruise destination. It's only been in the last year that cruises began calling there again, and the cruises that stop in Ashdod and Haifa are really popular. I think you should expect a full ship and some good tours, and this sounds like a good cruise. Tourism to Israel in particular is pretty heavy right now.

When did you hear about riots in Jerusalem?

Doug, there was a riot in Jerusalem and I forgot where, in one more place, due to Yom-Kippur observance, looks like all is back to usual now.

I was on a bus tour when there was a riot in prison, and we would go past that prison, but were re-routed. As nobody in our group understood Hebrew on our guide's walkie-talkie, we didn't even know we took a different road!

Israel is safe for tourists if you are on an organized tour.

Eschew, I hope you are still checking your question. We just returned from our Azamara Journey "Holy Land" cruise and it was just wonderful. Actually, Israel is very popular at the moment and I have to say Israel and the Greek Island of Rhodes were the personal highpoints for me. We were a party of 6 and only I had been on a land tour in Israel back in the 1980s. Everyone left it up to me what to see. I booked a private guide, Gil Yaniv, through Avitours, and he was just what I had hoped - friendly, knowledgable, fun, efficient, etc. comfortable van for 6 psgrs. Can't say enough. From Ashdod we did Masada, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea, Qumaran. From Haifa we did the Christian spots in Jerusalem, Wailing Wall and Bethlehem. Both days were about 10 hours long but they sped by. We stayed overnight on the ship.
We have been to Cairo several times and chose to stay in Alexandria and tour that city. I assume by Cairo you mean Port Said - nothing there unless you take the Cairo/Pyramid etc., tour. Our traveling companions had never been to Egypt and took the ship day tour to the Pyramids, etc. out of Alexandria and enjoyed it very much except for the hawkers who are very aggressive. Port Said, we all relaxed as we knew the next 2 days in Israel would be long.
Two of our travelers were concerned before we went about "safety" in Israel, it was a non-issue and they were much impressed by the country in general, especially after Egypt (so clean). As we sailed out of Haife, my dear friend who is a "news junkie" was amazed to realize that she hadn't really found a thing to be concerned about while there. Sometimes you really have to take our news media for the biased and "mountains out of molehills" news they love to produce, and put it into a real perspective. In fact, I think that is what travel does for you, opens your eyes.
You should have no concern about travel documents (passports only required), or your fellow travelers - I am not sure what your concern was there. Dress conservatively (shoulders and knees covered) in Egypt and Jerusalem. Let the ship and travel companies worry about security, they know what they are doing. Last but not least, in Egypt off the ship, eat only cooked food - never mind those lovely looking salads or fruits. Drink only from sealed bottles.
You will love Ephesus - I love Turkey in general. We stopped at Anatalya on this cruise and it was most interesting with a fabulous museum. Hope this answers some of your questions. I am sure a cruise to this area of the world will be a highlight of your life. Don't let anything talk you out of it.

Hi Charli, great info and insight, and Doug, thanks for the reassurance.

Here is the itemary:

3 days Athens pre-cruise, full day tour to Delphi, half day to Acropolis.

12 night cuises, and the ports are: Santorini, Patmos, Kusadasi, Haifa, Ashdod, Port Said, Alexandria, Sorento, Rome

3 days post cruise in Rome.

The cruise is on the Pacific Princess, one of their smallest ship.

There are land excursion options in Israel and Egypt where you stay at hotel rather than the ship overnight. You ended up being able to take shore excursions that takes you further away from the ports.

This is a "packaged deal" with almost direct air to Athen and home from Rome. (only one connection and I'm at the west coast!) I thought the price was reasonable at around 6G per person for everything: air, cruise, hotel, transfers etc (except shore excusrions and on board expenses) The package actually include breakfast in hotel daily, the land tours, and gratuities on board.

Outside cabins $300 extra and balconies another $400. Is the price reasonable? I think I can get cruise only from Princess for 3G (outside) can I do better on my own air and hotel package?

Eschew, I think you have to decide what is best for you and whoever you are traveling with. If there is more than 2, or if you feel comfortable finding others on your cruise to book a small group (like the roll call on cruisecritic.com), you may find the cruise only a bit less costly, but a lot more work. On the other hand, if you are more comfortable with having it all pre-planned and packaged and are happy with the price, that is what I would go for. Not everyone likes the do-it-yourself plan.
Personally, I do not do inside cabins (I hate being in the dark all the time and feel like there is no fresh air - I know outside cabins have the same air, but it is my quirk). I love opening the drapes and being surprised with the view (or not) and prefer a verandah cabin (open door, fresh air). "Expensive" and "reasonable" are in the eyes of the beholder and your budget. Go with whatever is best for you and have a lovely, relaxed, time. Sorrento is so lovely and there is a good little bus tour from the main square for about 7 Euros each.

Thanks Charli, we have cruised for many years and have yet been in an inside cabin. Don't spend much time in the cabin but likes the natural light. We keep our drapes open all the time.

For this trip, it would be just me and my DW. We have never travel with groups (except on a convention or shore excursions) and always managed to make new friends on board.

The reason why I ask the question is can I do 3 nights hotel in Athens and 3 nights hotel in Rome and land tours plus air for 3G. And I think I know the answer to that one already as the air is $1800 return.

I am not big on "group travel" and have stayed away from them. I have the impression that gtoup tours are conducted like cattle herding. Shore excursions are like that too ... But on this particular one, it is a "small" group of 50 people maximum.

With the language (may not be an issue at all), a group maybe a safer bet. We have wander off on our own many times, especially for ports that we have visisted before. I just don't know how safe it would be in some of the places on the schedule.

We are leaving in a few days for the Canal so I doubt that I will be checking the forum until we get back. Unless we get complimentary internet ... which is highly unlikely. Besides, there are many and better things to do on baord than logging on to the web ...

Thanks Charli for all your thoughtful comments.

Pacific Princess....well, it is a smaller and compact little ship.. the way cruising used to be.. but having sailed her in April I would not sail the ship or Princess again..sorry folks.. The dining room food was exquisite..the buffet.. well, I could write a book about the buffet area..not positive.. One of the only things that I will say positive about this ship is they have a self service laundry.. I did not find the service on this ship up to our favorite cruise line.. the Maitre de(who may have moved on) has an attitude of snobbery. That said.. go for a balcony...but your ports sound wonderful.. Check out the airfare on your own...

MAMAKATHY.. If it's the same ship we are booked on... I can't wait (Equinox) Will have to check back with you next year..The Holyland cruise is probably going to be the highlight...

Thanks ParrotMom, so far we have been lucky with Princess although we don't cruise exclusively with them. Our last trip was with Celebrity earlier this year and the food was not quite up to par, and the cabin steward did a terrible job. Consistency seems to be a problem with all the mass market lines.

How long ago was that bad experience? They usually rotate the crew every 6 to 10 months, depneding on the contracts. We have not been on the Pacific yet but I knew it is an older and very small ship.

hi
for very recommended guide to israel(for max 6 people)
contact gillzeev@012.net.il
good luck

ESCHEW--we cruised the Pacific Princess in April on their two week Amazon cruise. After all the comparison of both lines being equal we really were disappointed.. As Parrot Pop said..it was the little things that drove him crazy. At one point we were coming back from hot, humid and oppressive Devils Island and we were handed a frozen face cloth.. Parrot Pop wanted to know if there was a charge..lol.. On Celebrity there are cold drinks awaiting you and rolled chilled cloth and a "welcome back" ..okay..it's a small deal but aftr four Celebrity cruises... The big X does stand for excellence in service.. I had such high expectations..no.. cruising ain't what it used to be that is for darn sure.. what with climbing walls and ice skating rings and bowling alleys it just isn't the same..sorry if I sound like a snob.. That said.. we are packing for the NCL Gem for the end of the month from Barcelona and I dont even expect it to come close to Celebrity.. PPM thanks for the recommendation for a guide in Israel..we are on their Equinox to the Holyland next October.

Thanks ParrotMom. We were on the Celebrity Mercury in August and was totally disappointed. The days of the "free" whatever is long gone.

Here are some examples: On the lobster night (formal night), what is on the plate was HALF a lobster tail, 3 shrimps and 3 scallops. That's it. The dining room staff, on the other hand, is good.

The Celebrity menu prices have also dramtically gone up. Most alcoholic drinks are $8.50 now, Latte is $5 and wine prices has gone up by $10 to $15 a bottle on average.

We have such lousy service from the cabin steward that we were tempted to tell the ship we want to withhold his tips. The towels have holes in them as well as brown stains. We haev alwasy tipped extra but not this time.

Despite repeated effort to ask for new towels. I though they would have checked to make sure the replacement towels don't have holes or stains on them. No such luck. He stored the bed cover under the bed for the turn down service, without putting it any protective cover or bag. The next day, it goes form the floor under the bed to the top of the bed. I hope they clean under the bed.

After seeing the brown stains repeatedly, we stopped using their face cloths and used a cotton t-shirts for face cloth. It's that bad.

We just came back on the Island Princess over the weekend, in comparison, we have a full lobster tail and 3 jumbo scampis for the formal night (same as last November on the Ruby but it used to be 2 tails before that). The Latte is still $2 and wine is about $30 on the regular run of the mill type.

We met a couple who sailed on HAL before and commented that they felt being nickled and dimed, example: paying for the bottled water. All I can say is there is not too many cruise lines that don't charge extyra for bottled water these days.
It is obvious that they have not been on a HAL ship lately.

Good luck on the NCL Gem. You are right, they won't come close to Celebrity or anyone else. They seem to be on a class of their own

The DW wanted the Holyland trip next year so I guess she will get her wish. It would be 3 days land in Athens before and 3 days land in Rome after. For us, the itenary is the most important part and that itenary looks very promising.

Our expectation for a ship is low, we just want a clean and quiet place to rest our head and decent food when we needed refreshemnt, reasonable price would be nice ...

With the cost of things going up all over the place, with inflation etc, the cost of crusing actually has come down. You get what you pad for. Before spending money and all the extras, 5 years ago, the Panama Canal cruise costed close to 8G. This time around, it's 5G, and we were in a mini suite.

You get what you pay for and all the nickles and dimes don't add up to 3G.

Hi Esch,

Interestingly, my Lady Wife and I will be doing 3 days Rome, cruise, 3 days Athens in Oct, 2010 on the Prinsendam.

We booked through www.cruise.com, where you can check the route, accommodations and prices.

Hi Ira, thanks ... I am also checking out the itenary on the Celbrity Equinox as well. Other than the Holyland, the other stops are quite different. So far, DW likes the itenary on the Pacific Princess best. Interesting enough, it is also the most expensive by far. I also find out that there will stops that are tendered ashore. I thought with the smaller ship (Pacfic Princess), that might not be the case. Not that it matters.

Hi,

I'd like to take my 11 and 13 year old on the Holyland Cruise. Although the cruise is more for me. I've heard it's pretty tough terrain for younger travelers. Any insight would be much appreciated!

I will let you know once I get back but Charli was just there not that long ago so she might have more insight.

I am not sure what you mean by tough terrain for younger travellers. If it is tough terrain, it would be tougher for the "aging" travellers.

I am looking into that same crusie, but a different date.
I have traveled Holland and Princess. Holland is definately several cuts above princess. Holland only has one sail date in October and does'nt work for me.

My son-in-law took 10 day land tour (spring 09) and was not subjected to any problems.

Any comments on holy land & egypt for persons with mobility problems? For those of you that have been, would a wheelchair be duable?
Thanks, lindac1

After sailing the NCL Gem... unless the cruise is a "steal" and the ports are great..I'll go back to Celebrity..which we are. Although we did buy a coupon for a cruise on NCL again.most likely the Spirit from Boston.. Check out here my review of the NCL Gem....fair and balanced I think as did other cruisers we met

Hi Lindac1, good to hear that there is no problem in the area. DW is really looking forward to this trip.

The Pacific Princess is a small ship, 600 passengers and only 30,000 tons. I heard some larger ships are sailing there but not necessary visiting the same ports. We have checked out Celebrity and others but DW have ultiamtely decided on the Princess, mainly for the ports itenary.

Since I have not been there, I am not sure about the wheelchair access. I can safely say that wheelchair acess is fine on the ship itself but since some ports are tendered ashore, those could be challenging. Also, a wheelchair may post a problem on some shore excursions.

Best way to find out is to check out the shore excursions available and see what level of activities are offered. You might want to specifically ask about the tendered ports how they will handle wheelchairs.

ParrotMom, we have not cruise NCL for years and based on what we have heard from everyone, I have no great big desire to try them out again, even on a "steal". You get what you pay for. However, if it is offered to me for free ... I might consider it.

We were on the Celebrity Mercury last fall and have seen many cut backs, which is unfortunate. Our impression of Celebrity is lower now, especially the food. Having an inattentive and forgetful cabin steward didn't help either. We'll still go back to Celebrity, but only on their newer ships.

So far, we have very good luck with HAL and Princess. No major complaints despite the fact that Princess lost our luggage in Alaska on our very first voyage with them! We can be very forgiving on mistakes if the effort is there. No one is ever perfect.

WE returned from this trip on Pacific Princess.. Boat could not tender in Sorrento due to rough seas. We went to Naples, and then we were able to take the cheese tasting excursion by bus. Others went to Naples or Pompeii as they could not cross to Capri.
In Patmos, we took taxi one way to the top to see the monastery and walked down to St. John's grotto and then walked the donkey trail to the bottom.
In Kusadasi, we took an excursion to Mary's shrine and Ephesus. Great tour and learned much about Ephesus.
In Israel, from Ashdod, we took a tour of Jerusalem and Bethlehem. When we arrived in Bethlehem, our first top was a gift shop for 30 minutes. Bummer.. When we arrived at the Church of the Nativity, the lines were too long to see the actual site. Lunch at the kibbutz in Jerusalem was good. Wailing wall and Via Dolorosa was awesome.
Next day, Went to Galilee, Nazareth ,Capernum, Mt of Beatitudes, Tagda, all very impressive. Lunch was not as good as the previous day. Did not encounter any problems, felt safe even in the market place in Jerusalem which was very crowded as was the wailing wall.
Spent overnight in Egypt, Four Seasons, excellent choice. Cruise on the Nile , ok, breakfast no so good. Cairo is very crowded and dirty and I would not want any free time there. Shopping included as well, not happy about that.
Trips to the pyramids was great, night show could have been better, but it was great to see them lit at night.
Lunch one day at the Marriot, next day at some converted palace and dinner the following day. Satisfactory.
Santorini is a small island, bus to the top and we took a bus trip, and just a chat. More shopping time, by this time I did not want to see another shop, so I opted to get back to the ship. I decided to walk down the donkey trail as the wait for the cable car down was long. It took me about 40 minutes. Very careful walking, steps slippery and donkey poop too.
We arrrived at the port in Athens and I arranged for a taxi to pick us up and I did not want to wait in a line and the prices were less. Watch out, the taxi drivers will try to overcharge you.
We stayed at the Parthenon in Athens, which was very very close to the acropolis and the museum. Very good 2 days, we did lots of walking and did take a taxi to some longer distances.
Great trip!! loved all of it!

Thanks for your hints. We are doing the Celebrity Equinox from Rome on 10/18... First in Jerusaleum/Haifa.. four of us are sharing a private guide.. In Cairo we are going to the Pyramids just one day private tour. the next day take it easy for the strenuous Israel tour Naples and Sicily we haven't anything planned and in Corfu we are going to roam the streets.. I do want to do Sorrento or Capri on our own.. unless I can share a ride.. BTW we were on the Pacific Princess through the Amazon and the experience of the ship, etc. has stopped me from every cruising Princess again..Celebrity is so far superior....lol

ESCHEW....We cruised the Soltice in April and I must say (read the review on t his site)...that it was the most magnificent ship.. complete with the lawn (yes, it works) and the Corning Glass show..it would be worth it just to cruise to check out the art on the ship.. By wild chance we were in AQUA class/handicapped cabin..Have never had a bathroom so big that I could hold a party in. yes, cruises have changed the food in the MDR was not what I had expected...but we ate in Blu, the dining room for Aqua guests and Murranos... to die for..Food on ALL the cruise lines is not what it used to be..at least on the "premium lines". We have been cruising for well over 25 years and there was a noticable difference on the Soltice.. There is no way i can explain how incredible the service was...at 11;00 pm the night before we were leaving.. my husbands rollator lost a screw.. We called down and a repair man was upstairs within five minutes fixing it.. Two days earler discovered our plane tickets were missing.. a call to the Conceirge resulted in a copy of our tickets being outside our door within 48 hours.. The word "No or Can't be done".. is not in their vocabulary. The major problem that particular week was a problem in the show room and after they flew a crew in to fix it... another came up..the entertainment for this cruise is not what we expected on any cruise ship....horrible. Just for the record... this week Travel and Leisure put Celebrity #7 and Princess #10

PM: We are looking for a similar cruise in Oct. 2011 on Celebs new ship the Silouette. I hope its as good as yours was.

Cecitom, great report. I am really looking forwaard to the trip. We are doing the reverse. We will board in Athen and disembark in Rome. We will spend 2 days in Athens before boarding and 3 days in Rome before heading home.

How's the ship? How about food and entertainment? Since it is a smaller ship, I knew they have a cabaret rather than a theatre. Did the rough sea affected the ship much?

We have not finalize all the excursions yet but I think what we have picked is close to what you had, with the exception of overnight at Ciaro.

Have you heard anything about visa requirements? I don't think gthere is any. Our passports are due to expire Jan 2011 and our TA suggested that we should get our passport renewed before we go. But we will be back home before the end of October so I am not sure why we need to renew it now.

Well, ParrotMom, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I had a really bad experience with Celebrity Mercury last year that DW did not want to get on a Celebrity ship even again. I am a bit more forgiving and willing to give them another try.

I am glad that at least you agreed with me that the Celebrity food quality is not what it used to be. It used to be better than half decent. The entertainment is another story.

With the price held steady and inflation, quality will have to go down. I expected that. Except on the Celebrity, it was more ovbious and the drop is beyond the expectation.

I don't subscribe to Travel & Leisure as I have cut up my Diners and AE cards year ago. You might notice that there are more Celebrity ads than Princess ads on the mag?

True, lots of ads but they offered me a yr. for only $10.00.

JACKETWATCH... check out the trans/atlantics of Celebrity, especially the Eclipse, Equinox, Siloutte, and Soltice. Wouldn't it be a blast to be on the Siloutte together.. so far that ship and the Soltice are #1 and #2. We get our magazine subscriptions through a local subscription service outside of Boston and their price are always less then the magazines are offering..We don't have a Diners or AE card...We use right now Discover and any other card that pays us benefits for using..

ESCHEW..WE will be in Rome mid-October and have a great hotel they tell me..have not been to Sardinia or Mallorca, but I can tell you if you haven't been there Lisbon is an absolute delight.. So, we may meet after all.. but won't be booking until cruise month in February

As much as I would love to meet you and Parrotpop it wouldn't be on a trans Atl. cruise. I mean we get edgy with too many sea days. Sorry hun. Some other place would be fun as I am sure you are.

Have you ever done a t/a? We find the days at sea sooo restful and we are able to p ick and choose from activities. Our Holyland cruise is Rome to Rome.. wish I could take the back to back.. but leaving my p ets for almost a month I'd be miserable and Ive found that after 14 days on a ship...and a pre-night cruise are about all I can do.. We are at the age where we do not appreciate a port intensive itinerary..nor a seven day one...the Silhoutte is only 11 days which is the least we would ever do now..but then again..there is Rome.... ah Rome..Jacketwatch.. let you in on a big secret.. we will be in Rome on our 55th wedding anniversary and I want to spend it in front of the lit Trevi Founain... how much more romantic is that...

I luv the way you think!! You go and do it. As for the T/A yes we have thought of it but once we had two consecutive days at seas and about we bonkers. for us the fun is seeing new palces and being in a new port almost every day. As for the Holy Land I know some ports will be intensive but we plan to play it by ear and just take it easy in other ports. For example if we go to Santorini we'll take the cable car to the top of the mountain and back, stroll around and so on. However for Alexandria as its two days and I've heard its a long ride into the city I thought about getting a hotel over night. Did you go there?

In Israel luckily we had booked a guide for Jerusaleum and Haifa. Besides the usual there on my bucket list is the Chagall Windows...In Cairo/Alexandria..there is a private tour for just one day...the next day we will rest.. just discovered we do have a private tour of Sorrento and Capri.. Corfu we just might walk around.. and Naples.. well, we'll figure how to get out of there..At this p oint we are older and we love the days at sea to unstress..and on the Equinox for me..now banned for the rest of my life for sunbathing I'll spend my extra time reading or zonked out in the adult only Solarium.. Don't know if your retired, but we are and i can honestly say..we don't have a day off.. we are ALWAYS on the go and I'm exhausted..

ParrotMom, I know we will miss each other by a couple of days in Rome. Transatlantic is not in the books at this point. Way too many sea days. It is relaxing but DW wants to see places other than just water. She wants to have 7 stops on a 7 day cruise (which is not going to happen).

Lisbon is nice and it is cheap. Bike tour on the country side if you have time. Bike rental is reasonable.

The family discussion so far is Mexican or Caribbean for Jan 2011, maybe Alaska again in May or June and undecided for November. Could be a trip to India. (Larry talked me into it)

Other options included Peru and the Amazon. There are so many places that we haven't been to and yet so many places that we liked to re-visit. Only so munch $$$ and vacation time. We can afford to travel while I am working. Once I'm retired, it's fixed income and trips will be less frequent.

We did the Pacific Princess through the Amazon last April, it was in my bucket list.Did a boat tour (through Princess) of the meeting of the waters, saw the giant lily pads, visited a native village and had a fabulous buffet lunch in the middle of the Amazon. Dominica...the absolute joy of going through and over the tropical forest by tram and then walking along the floor of the jungle. For a moment I felt like Auntie Mame when we had to cross this huge steel bridge which reminded me of the River Kwai..and oh yes.. the ride to the jungle on the winding roads was heart stoppers...St.Barts, boy, could I write a book about how snobby.. St.Lucia..which I had looked forward to revisiting...now another tourist trap..Devils Island...I swear every pore in my body was pushing out sweat...unbearable..Eschew.. we went to Macchu Picchu back in 1986 I think before there were five star hotels.. we stayed for a week between Lima, Cuzco and the ruins..Now,if we were to go back..I'd certainly avoid Machu Picchu and visit the other ruins..In Lisbon we took a private tour to Sintra one day and the next we did a tour of the monuments.. As for bike riding...those days are gone forever.. we are fairly inactive seniors..lol.. Seven ports in seven days...much too port intensive for me...that has stopped us from a few cruise lines like Oceania.. We have done Mexico..there are only two ports that interest me..Hutalco and Zilhianto.. although I have to admit that the Cliff Divers in Acalpulco are a sight to see..and yes..if the cruise included the San Blas Islands and Cartegena.. I'd be on the ship.