Question for those who have been on the Rotterdam Black Sea itinerary

[misskitty]

Hi all,

My mother and I are going on the Rotterdam leaving on May 1 and I have a quick question. In the Know Before You Bo book it says that on certain special itineraries that they will keep your passport for the duration of the cruise and you will need another photo ID. All I have is a state issued special ID because I am legally blind and can't drive. That doesn't seem like something that border guards in a foreign country are going to accept. And on top of it all I just looked at it and it is expired, so I would have to get a new one before I go.

So, can anyone who has been on this itinerary tell me if they gave you back your passoprt for going into ports? I know that's what they did on my parents' Baltic cruise, so I am hoping it's the same.

Thanks.

[Copper10-8]

Hi all,

My mother and I are going on the Rotterdam leaving on May 1 and I have a quick question. In the Know Before You Bo book it says that on certain special itineraries that they will keep your passport for the duration of the cruise and you will need another photo ID. All I have is a state issued special ID because I am legally blind and can't drive. That doesn't seem like something that border guards in a foreign country are going to accept. And on top of it all I just looked at it and it is expired, so I would have to get a new one before I go.

So, can anyone who has been on this itinerary tell me if they gave you back your passoprt for going into ports? I know that's what they did on my parents' Baltic cruise, so I am hoping it's the same.

Thanks.

Hi Eve, no worries! Been on that itinerary twice and you're gonna really like it! If everything goes like our cruise last Fall on Rotterdam, your passport will be collected by shoreside staff in Piraeus upon boarding and kept at the Front Office. You will get a Customs Declaration form in your cabin on the first day for Odesa, Ukraine. They will ask that you fill that out and return same to the Front Office.

For Istanbul, you will not need your passport, just that photo ID (the state issued ID you described will be fine but if you feel better, the Front Office staff will make you a photocopy of your passport to take to shore with you). You will also get a "Landing Card" which you are required to carry with you while on shore. You will then return it to the drop box once back onboard.

For Varna, you will also not need your passport just your picture ID (Copy of your passport will suffice ans so wil the ID you are describing)

In Odessa, you will need your passport so, on our cruise, we had to go to the Queen's Room to pick it up on the night before. Easy process - took ten minutes if that. Return the passport to the Front Office after you're back onboard!

Only one I'm not sure about is Constanja, Romania (we went to Sevastopol, Ukraine) but I'm thinking it will be either the process in Varna or Odessa - Don't sweat it!!

Can't help you with Haifa since we've never been there. In Limassol, you will not need your passport. That night, you will once again have to make a trip to the Queen's Room to pickup your passport for Egypt- live is still good! Egyptian Immigration Officials will come onboard in Limassol for the ride to Alexandria (what a job!!) to inspect all passports.

Lastly, the highlight (of our cruise), in Alexandria, local immigration law requires that you take your passport ashore with you. You must take your actual passport and not a photo copy. Hopefuly, you are going to see the Great Pyramids - Amazing! but so is Cairo traffic:eek: )

So, bottom line: the other photo I.D. is something you will rarely need to show. You will need to bring your boarding card/ship's ID with you everytime you leave the ship!

Hope, this helps! All this stuff will be explained to you in a letter from the Guest Relations Manager. Have an awseome time on an outstanding ship and en even better itinerary!

[misskitty]

Hi,

Many thanks for your great reply. It should be an awesome cruise. I just did not want to get stuck somewhere because the ID was expired. I will go ahead and ask for a photocopy of my passport from the front desk just so I have something extra just in case.

Yes, we are definitely going to see the Great Pyramid. We went ahead and booked a ship's excursion because I heard all about that amazing traffic in Cairo. I'll bet you spend most of the three hours travel time going through the traffic.

Thanks again for your reply. That makes me feel better.

[Copper10-8]

Hi,

Many thanks for your great reply. It should be an awesome cruise. I just did not want to get stuck somewhere because the ID was expired. I will go ahead and ask for a photocopy of my passport from the front desk just so I have something extra just in case.

Yes, we are definitely going to see the Great Pyramid. We went ahead and booked a ship's excursion because I heard all about that amazing traffic in Cairo. I'll bet you spend most of the three hours travel time going through the traffic.

Thanks again for your reply. That makes me feel better.

You're gonna have a great time! The pyramids at Giza and the Sphynx are incredible!

Couple of pics to show you what I'm talking about.

#1 - Early morning, about 0645, in the port of Alexandria with the fleet of buses waiting for Rotterdam pax. The idea is to travel in a convoy, each bus gets an armed Egyptian copper (in plain clothes but very obviously armed) and several marked police cars travel in front, behind and in between the convoy. Once you leave Alexandria, you'll travel straight through the desert for about three hours before reaching Cairo

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p73/Copper10-8/IMG_6956.jpg?t=1209344722

[Copper10-8]

One of our escorts through the desert with the r/f passenger in the front leaning rest position catching up on some zzzz's

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p73/Copper10-8/IMG_6966.jpg?t=1209344884

[Copper10-8]

#3 - The real thing - Lots of coppers (Tourist Police) around and lots of very aggressive vendors being chased by coppers on camels

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p73/Copper10-8/IMG_6992.jpg?t=1209345099

[Copper10-8]

My DW wanted to ride a camel in the desert:)

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p73/Copper10-8/IMG_7013.jpg?t=1209345300

[Copper10-8]

The Sphynx and Big Guy behind it

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p73/Copper10-8/IMG_7026.jpg?t=1209345509

[Copper10-8]

Maria is all happy because she just went inside and down into the pyramid's chamber. The guy on the right is a plain clothes' cop (they make the ones on the bus wear suits). The bulge underneath his jacket on his right rear hip is a very big automatic pistol. We appreciated those guys protecting us that day!

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p73/Copper10-8/IMG_7000.jpg?t=1209346013

[Loreto]

Hi John,
Thanks for the great pictures! I have your "Live Feed" printed out for a reference. We can't wait! I am looking forward to meeting you on the Veendam in November.:)
Karen

[Copper10-8]

Hi John,
Thanks for the great pictures! I have your "Live Feed" printed out for a reference. We can't wait! I am looking forward to meeting you on the Veendam in November.:)
Karen

Evening Karen, likewise:) Plus we get to meet the famous Capt. Albert Schoonderbeek on Veendam. Looks like you're just about to leave! You're going to have a great cruise! Can't beat that Black Sea and Eastern Med itinerary! Have a good one!

[TwinFriend]

Wonderful pictures! I'm with your Darling Wife, I would have to ride the camels too! Not the same as the Indio Date Festival camels!! I always enjoy your pictures and stories too. Most everyone on CC are so sharing and gracious. Thanks.

[Copper10-8]

Wonderful pictures! I'm with your Darling Wife, I would have to ride the camels too! Not the same as the Indio Date Festival camels!! I always enjoy your pictures and stories too. Most everyone on CC are so sharing and gracious. Thanks.

Thanks Twin Friend!:) Never been to the Indio Date Festival but it sounds interesting! Take care and be safe!

[MrsMuir]

Dearest John, your Egyptian photos have totally shattered my focus at work today. I would like to know from lovely Maria if venturing inside the pyramid was uncomfortable or claustophobic, and if it was crowded or stuffy. I don't do well in the heat and I have heard that one has to bend over inside small spaces. I'm 5' 4." It would be great to go inside, but will it freak me out? I've been in tourist-type caves before and did OK.

Dankuwel. Love your photos.

Linda

[Cruising-along]

Dearest John, your Egyptian photos have totally shattered my focus at work today. I would like to know from lovely Maria if venturing inside the pyramid was uncomfortable or claustophobic, and if it was crowded or stuffy. I don't do well in the heat and I have heard that one has to bend over inside small spaces. I'm 5' 4." It would be great to go inside, but will it freak me out? I've been in tourist-type caves before and did OK.

Dankuwel. Love your photos.

Linda

Linda, until John gets back, I can give you a little info :) Going inside a pyramid was the thrill of a lifetime IMO. DH is claustrophobic, but he did fine! It is tight quarters going in and coming out (people passing you shoulder-to-shoulder as you're going in and they're coming out). And yes, it is a little stuffy, but I didn't think it was too bad. I wouldn't recommend it for anyone with a bad back or knees, as you do have to stoop somewhat. Once you get all the way in, there's a larger space to stand upright in :)

[Copper10-8]

Dearest John, your Egyptian photos have totally shattered my focus at work today. I would like to know from lovely Maria if venturing inside the pyramid was uncomfortable or claustophobic, and if it was crowded or stuffy. I don't do well in the heat and I have heard that one has to bend over inside small spaces. I'm 5' 4." It would be great to go inside, but will it freak me out? I've been in tourist-type caves before and did OK.

Dankuwel. Love your photos.

Linda

Hi Linda and "niets te danken";)

Maria was really glad that she went inside the pyramid and the chamber. She is not claustrophobic but didn't really no what to expect. A guide, took them down in groups (no cameras allowed), like Carolyn says, it gets pretty tight going down and you're bending down (depending on your height - Maria is 4'11") at times. You're basically going down a tunnel with wooden planks to walk on and handrails to hold on to. You walk downward for a bit, straighten out and then go up into the chamber.

The chamber itself was kinda anti-climatic because there's really nothing inside to look at except a concrete box (no one living inside there;) ). Once in the chamber, the group basically "walks the walls" and goes out again. Going back out the pyramid, there was a little bit of a wait/bottle neck for the next group coming down to arrive/sort themselves out and that's where she got a little anxious knowing she couldn't get out right away until those folks started coming down.

Overall, like I said, a great experience, probably a "once in a lifetime." She was pretty proud of herself for having done it. One of our tablemates, a nice lady from Calgary, tried it but got nervous about 1/3rd of the way down and decided to go back up. I think it all depends on how folks take the experience on a personal level. Carolyn makes a good point however, if you have issues with your back, I would recommend against it!

[mamaofami]

John, those pictures are fantastic. It's been one of my dreams to go to the pyramids. Maybe someday soon.