A Magic Carpet, er Ship ride to Arabia.

[Pushka]

And cactus garden. This is what ours at home is supposed to look like.

 

[Pushka]

Then it was up to the top level. More about the view here. The cruise ship and port towards upper right.

 

[Pushka]

Then it was off to another vantage point for views and the history of Israel prerecorded. Overlooking Israel's Naval museum. The Navy owns most of the port.











From here you can just see Lebanon in the distance and driving to Beirut is just a 90 minutes trip.



We were then dropped back at the start point, exactly 75 minutes later. We paid the USD and a tip as he'd been excellent. The shuttle to the ship was waiting for us and it was back to the ship within 2 hours from start. Virtually no security from Israel to get off. We still have our slips of paper.

They have passport numbers and passport photos on them but have snipped these details off.

 

[RSD]

Scientific name for your stomach upset in Egypt is "Ramses Revenge"

 

[Pushka]

Now I don't usually post cruise ship food photos because I'm not a foodie and mostly they aren't attractive but last night we booked into Manfredis, which is Italian specialty and included in the cruise, one booking per cabin. We really enjoyed it.
l

This was wonderful. Very much like a Pinot Noir. Slosh and included with our drinks package




The reggiano was superb. I had to find out more.


They start a new wheel every cruise and it is flown from Palma Italy. Given it's the second last night I suggested it shouldn't go to taste. I think the crew are in for a treat.



Bistecca. Oh my. Wonderful.



Limoncello to finish. Too full for dessert.

 

[Pushka]

Scientific name for your stomach upset in Egypt is "Ramses Revenge"

Yeah. He's a nasty beastie who seems to hang around.

 

[Pushka]

Apparently Tesla purchased stocks of cars knowing that Israel was about to hike up their taxes. We found 'em.




And our last view of Haifa and Baha'i Gardens as we left Haifa, our last port, last night.



Those damn luggage labels appeared in our room last night. And then this morning, the plastic sheeting protecting the linen from suitcases. We have to pack. Which I've just done. It's 4.30 pm and MrP turn to pack without me hanging around.

We disembark tomorrow morning, off by 10am. We are going to an Airbnb for three nights but leaving late on the third afternoon to fly to heathrow, overnight at the airport then to an Airbnb in London on Friday to catch up with our son and DIL.

The cruise itinerary has been fabulous. We've done a mix of Viking excursions where we couldn't book a private one, amd private excursions. I think so far everything has simply unfolded to its best possible.

So viking. And some of these apply to other cruise lines too. The crew are brilliant. They work so hard especially on this itinerary. The hotel staff are quick to move crew to areas of high demand. Their ships are wonderfully restful with so many places to sit quietly and enjoy. The inclusions like wine with meals and always available cappuccinos etc is great. We don't go to their shows but the roving entertainers - in this case the pianist and the guitarist are exceptional. Cabins are wonderful, slightly larger than normal. No casinos. No kids. No photographers. The spa is free and excellent. The gym is ok not great. The food - meh, I'm not a foodie so what I've had is good. I'd be happy to go cruising with them again but so far haven't found an itinerary that we haven't done before and want to do. I know, there's Antarctica and Arctic circle but not yet.

We are booked on two Viking River cruises, Rhine Christmas Markets in December and Mekong River cruise that starts in Vietnam, through to Cambodia then ends in Ho Chi Minh.

 

[Quickstatus]

It was so hot. So dry. So airless

I heard the tombs are hotter than outside?

The guy in the suit i

How does one wear a suit in that heat?

Info:
Those green things on the canal shoreline are military pontoons in readiness if the military is required to cross the Suez.

 

[Quickstatus]

posted on CC and was able to get two bus loads of people signed up, for two day excursions.

What's CC?

 

[drron]

Cruise critic. The cruise version of Flyertalk. Mostly US based but a few of us interlopers.

 

[Pushka]

Cruise critic. The cruise version of Flyertalk. Mostly US based but a few of us interlopers.

Yep. Mooning comes to mind

 

[Pushka]

I heard the tombs are hotter than outside?

How does one wear a suit in that heat?

Info:
Those green things on the canal shoreline are military pontoons in readiness if the military is required to cross the Suez.

The tombs are airless. So hot. Plus going down stairs. Ramps. Then up them again. SETI was the worst. Yes. Black suits always. But they don’t go into the tombs.

 

[Quickstatus]

No photographers

As in photographers who take your picture then come around with the photos hoping you buy one?

 

[henleybeach]

Cruise and Ports looked great Pushka.
Enjoyed the read

 

[RooFlyer]

I'd be happy to go cruising with them again but so far haven't found an itinerary that we haven't done before and want to do.

Previously, I got the impression that their non-on board performance ... "cruise organisation and admin" wasn't so great? I must admit that up to your summary I was thinking: "Viking ... might be good to avoid". I was wrong?

 

[love_the_life]

Previously, I got the impression that their non-on board performance ... "cruise organisation and admin" wasn't so great? I must admit that up to your summary I was thinking: "Viking ... might be good to avoid". I was wrong?

Viking have been doing river cruises for yonks and is very well honed. We were on them in China about 15 years ago. They have been in Europe for much longer. It is only in the past few years they have added ocean cruising. I seem to recall there were problems with the Alaska cruise Pushka was on with lack of communication etc.

 

[Cossie]

The Walled Off Hotel is more than just a play on words......

The Walled Off Hotel - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Pushka]

Previously, I got the impression that their non-on board performance ... "cruise organisation and admin" wasn't so great? I must admit that up to your summary I was thinking: "Viking ... might be good to avoid". I was wrong?

Not wrong. Their admin can be great or awful. Their onboard experience is mostly excellent. A couple of times there could have been more information but it seems like they feel that passengers can't cope with information. Well, that may be true of some passengers, "Viking will take care of it" but others just like to know and think for themselves. Like the 3.5 hour delay in leaving Jeddah. Not one announcement as to when departure was expected. Even something like 'folks, I know you are keen to start enjoying the evening but at this stage it is likely to be another abc hours'. Of course that would raise the temperature of the room collectively, because of the alcohol ban - but it seems they prefer the silent simmer of wondering when, rather than am official announcement of a bigger delay.

 

[Pushka]

As in photographers who take your picture then come around with the photos hoping you buy one?

Yep.

Just arrived in Athens. Cruise about to finish. Three days in Athens now for us then off to London.

 

[Pushka]

The Walled Off Hotel is more than just a play on words......

The Walled Off Hotel - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Ah. That’s the Banksy comment on the Wall. Guide did mention Banksy but thought it was artwork on the wall. It’s pretty horrible. Guide said it is doing its job.