Table Of Content
State Department's website (travel.state.gov) for up-to-date information on safe travel in Jerusalem and all of Israel. One final note -- even as cruise travelers eagerly book Eastern Mediterranean cruises to see the Holy Land, many continue to be concerned about safety. Yes, terrorist attacks and other violence occur in Israel but, because of this, security measures are extensive and effective. Armed guards are plentiful, your bags will be searched and you may be diverted from areas where tensions are high.
Israel Luxury Cruises
These days, Nazareth isn’t the small village depicted in the Bible—it’s a full- grown, modern city—but its role in the life of Jesus Christ makes it an important religious site. You can stand at the crossing of the Jordan River, only a little over an hour from Haifa. The Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is believed to have been delivered is merely an hour east, too. The main terminal offers a cafeteria, a currency exchange counter and two duty-free shops, but depending on where your ship docks, it might be difficult to get to the terminal building. The city is not a big tourist destination, but it does have several shopping centers as well as a nice marina and waterfront promenade for a stroll or dining with a view.
Shopping
From Ashdod, alternate destinations include the beachside playground and cultural capital that is Tel Aviv, the dramatic yet melancholy ruins at Masada and the resorts by the Dead Sea. Culturally, the area is a mix of Jews Christians, Muslims, Ahmedi, and other faiths including the Baha’i, and Haifa is renowned for its effortlessly blending multiple cultures into the fabric of the city. Every year, one of Haifa’s biggest events is the International Film Festival which lasts for a week in September. When you tour religious sites in Haifa and other parts of Israel, be sure to wear clothing covering your shoulders and knees to respect the religious practices of the region. In 1868, German Templars constructed a settlement in Haifa, and today it’s a bustling area filled with cafes, shops, and restaurants.
Do you need a passport to take a cruise to Israel?
Enjoy delicious cuisine that blends multiple cultures together with the bounty of the Mediterranean, and take in the breathtaking views of the sea as you do so. Israel’s history is a huge part of the reason why people visit, particularly its role in several of the world’s major religions. Little evidence of Philistine occupation of the area remains, as the city has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times, and whatever does remain is carefully catalogued at the Museum of Philistine Culture in Ashdod. The city changed hands multiple times throughout ancient history through the Hellenistic period and beyond. The best time to cruise to Israel is during the spring and fall when temperatures are moderate, unlike the summer which comes with intense heat. In addition to port stops in Israel, many cruise itineraries include ports in locations such as Haifa, Aqaba, Limassol and Alanya.
Visit the Stella Maris Carmelite Monastery, Latin for "Star of the Sea." Admire the church's beautifully painted ceiling and dome. Stretching back to the Crusader era, the monks originally inhabited the mountain caves. The Port of Haifa will place passengers right in the city center once your Haifa cruise ship docks.
You’ll see an overarching view of Haifa from the summit of the hill the monastery is perched on. Those of Christian faith are familiar with the Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem, where Jesus Christ went to pray and contemplate prior to his crucifixion. The garden is tranquil, and you’ll be surrounded by olive trees as you walk among lush vegetation. You can also see the Grotto of Gethsemane, where the disciples of Jesus slept and rested as Christ made his prayers. Bring the whole family to Ashdod-Yam Park, which is a fifteen minute drive from the Ashdod cruise port and located on the shoreline of the Mediterranean.
Night Mediterranean CruiseDetails
When the State of Israel formed in 1948, Haifa became governed by its own municipality. Haifa historically has been a major industrial city for Israel, so it’s not as built up as a tourist destination as a result, but the nearby religious sites drive a lot of traffic and interest into the area each year. Haifa’s proximity to religiously sites for those practicing Jewish and Christian faiths makes the experience particularly meaningful for travelers passing through on their Mediterranean cruise.
Stand in awe at the site of Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River and gaze out over the Sea of Galilee. Hundreds of armed Israeli settlers stormed a village in the occupied West Bank on Friday, setting fire to several homes and cars in one of the largest attacks by settlers this year, according to Palestinian officials. The official currency of Israel is the shekel (NIS), and you can also use credit cards while you’re in Haifa. The policy for tipping while you’re in Israel varies, but restaurants, bars, and cafes should receive a tip between 10% and 12%, or more at your discretion if the service was excellent. Locals don’t tip in taxis in Haifa, so taxi drivers don’t exactly expect a tip. Keeping a little cash on you is good so that you can tip in cash rather than adding to the bill, which is how restaurants prefer tourists to tip while they’re visiting Israel.
Cruises to Jerusalem
What to know about Shahed-136 drones, which Iran used to attack Israel - The Washington Post
What to know about Shahed-136 drones, which Iran used to attack Israel.
Posted: Tue, 16 Apr 2024 23:08:00 GMT [source]
Within the terminal are souvenirs, duty-free shopping, areas for currency exchange, and free WiFi for passengers. The port easily connects passengers with the Haifa Center Railway Station. Like in other parts of Israel, it’s wise to carry a little cash to be able to pay a taxi driver or leave a tip for a waiter. At restaurants, cafes, and bars, 10-12% is an acceptable tip for service workers.
Try the interactive exhibits, including where you can dress like a Philistine and learn about their typical meal. The best time to cruise to Israel is during the spring and fall when temperatures are moderate. Below, you'll find more information on cruises to Israel, including expert reviews, travel tips and more, all curated by Cruise Critic. Israel cruises will take you to ports like Ashdod, the gateway to Jerusalem, where you can walk in the footsteps of prophets and kings; and Haifa, where you can see the beautiful Bahá'í Gardens.
Across the port is a railway station, where you can immediately catch trains to Akko and Tel Aviv. Buses run through the city’s neighborhoods, and of course taxis and private cars are an option for travelers. If you want to take a trip outside of Haifa, you can be in Nazareth in a quick 45 minutes via car or taxi.
The settlers attacked Al-Mughayyir village, east of Ramallah, raided homes and fired gunshots at residents, according to Amin Abu-Alia, the head of the village council. Videos obtained by CNN show parts of the village burning, with smoke billowing over several buildings and settlers lobbing rocks. Houses and cars are seen completely burnt up, with sounds of gunfire and clashes heard in the background. Part of the problem is that Jerusalem is located inland, so cruise ships must call at the Port of Ashdod, more than an hour's drive from the city -- and that's without the inevitable traffic delays. Jerusalem fits a microcosm of the whole world into less than 50 square miles.
No comments:
Post a Comment