We are taking the NCL Jade cruise this August, which stops in Ashdod and Haifa. We’ve hired a private tour guide who suggested that we stay overnight in Jerusalem instead of spending hours getting back to the ship, only to return the following morning.
The ship spends the first day in Ashdod and the second day in Haifa.
Has anyone done this? We’re trying to confirm if NCL allows this sort of thing/ I would think that it does as NCL offers their own two-day tour that does the same (Israel Grand
The only answer you should rely on is the cruiseline's. I know you can fill out paperwork and make arrangements with cruiselines to debark in an earlier port, so I assume you can note you will be rejoining in a different port. There will be paperwork, as it involves moving ports and you don't want the mess of being considered a 'no show' in Ashdod.
Albeit not your question, but recently cruise lines have been canceling Israeli ports due to political unrest. August is some months off, but consider making any port plans fully refundable.
MariaF
I have been thinking about conflicts in the area because I have booked a cruise that leaves from Haifa in 2024. I would be flying into Tel Aviv a few days earlier.
I have been wondering about conflicts in the area between Israel and her neighbors.
What happens if I am already in Tel Aviv when there is a conflict and Norwegian has to cancel the cruise?
I guess that is a chance you have to take when traveling.
goldberg barry
What is your departure port? Is it Ashdod?
I have a cruise booked in 2024 leaving from Haifa . My first port will be Ashdod. I will fly into Tel Aviv a few days early
As MariaF said, Israel cruises and ports are often cancelled when there is conflict between Israel and her neighbors..
I cruised Hawaii several years back. We had two ports on The Big island. I think a guest got off at the first port and rented a car to drive to the next port where they got back on.
Bostonphil, if you don't know it yet, Cruisecritic (CC) is the Tripadvisor for all things cruising...in fact it is in their business family. I would suggest joining them (free) and use their boards (forum). They are sorted by cruiseline, specialty like theme cruises or solo cruise travelers. There is also a singles traveler page, but note that is for the much more ahhm, 'social' passenger. 'Solo' traveler forum users may be single or attached, just traveling alone.
In CC you can join a specific ship's sailing 'Roll Call' where you can chat with other people on the same itinerary. Thst would be useful in this situation.
From what I have seen, port changes for political unrest are made a little, or well, before the cruise starts. And changing a port a cruise starts from is infrequent....it causes a lot of upheaval and unhappy clients.
You may want to ensure your travel insurance covers cruises and cruise cancellation by cruiseline specifically. (You want cruise coverage for medical as well as an airvac from a ship is very very pricey), and a level of flight ticket that allows some sort of change, either free or with a cost.
What happens if I am already in Tel Aviv when there is a conflict and Norwegian has to cancel the cruise?
You register with the U.S. Embassy's STEP program:
https://step.state.gov/STEPMobile/Default.aspx
In Israel, with all the soldiers, police, and private security, I felt safer than in the U.S. where we constantly have crazies shooting people .
MariaF
I have belonged to CruiseCritic for several years. I find the site sometimes helpful but not as easy to use as this site. CruiseCritic is a complicated site or at least that is how I find it.
Before COVID, you could get reviews of ports and excursions, I no longer believe this is possible. I am talking about searching for a particular port and clicking on the port. I can sometimes get some reviews by reading individual reviews of a past voyage by guests. I have to go to NCL and find my ship or my itinerary and then just keep reading and reading. I find it difficult to get the information I am looking for.
I am on the roll call for my cruise coming up in October but there are not many people on it and no one is trying to set up a Meet and Greet. However i have not checked in a while.
Still I like CruiseCritic. I always post an in depth review after my trips.
It is really helpful if you are thinking of taking a cruise and you can read reviews of the ship and the cruise itself.
Frank II
Thanks for the STEP link.
I am not well traveled like many others on this site. This site has been very helpful in guiding and teaching me.
you may already know this but many Israeli hotels do not allow check in or check out during the Sabbath. El Al does not fly during the Sabbath. maybe this will have no affect in your trip. Your guide will probably assist you in finding the right hotel for you..
Where does your cruise begin, what port?
NCL should allow this sort of tour. However, you will need your passport, cash, credit cards etc, because if you miss the boat in Haifa, be prepared to make your own way to their next port of call. I would recommend that you check and see if NCL does the same type of tour. Many years ago on one of our cruises, the cruise line docked in Ashdod and then Haifa with many passenger taking advantage of an overnight stay in Jerusalem. The cruise line put that tour together.
