How long to get through security in Ashdod, Israel?

My husband and I are cruising on the Celebrity Constellation and will be in Ashdod, Israel on October 30. We have arranged for a private tour. How long will it take to get to the public area of the port?

Many thanks

When we were in Ashdod, all of the security was done on the ship. We had to present our passports, in person, to Israeli security one at a time. It does not take very long to get from the ship to the public area of the port. It was only a few minutes. That was two years ago, I do not know if it is the same now.

When we were there in 2011 the first day our private guide met us inside the secure area, right outside the ship. Lots of private guides and vehicles were there just like in any other port.

The second day was the same, different guide, same tour company.

The third day, same guide as the second day and they wouldn't let him bring his vehicle in to the ship so he had to take one of the buses in, find us and then we rode back out on the bus with him to his car......even with that it was probably only half an hour or so and part of that was making contact with him...thankfully we had his cell phone number!!!

So it may be that your guide is right there outside the ship or not but if not should not take you long to get through the gates on a bus....enjoy, it was 3 of the most wonderful days we have ever had on vacation.....so very glad we went...:)

Any licensed guide can tell you whether or not they have a permit to enter the port.

That being said, security at the Port of Ashdod can change day to day so be prepared to have to leave the main port area to meet your guide.

The security in Ashdod Port, on the contrary to what most might expect, is not that of an issue. All entering Israel must go through a face control process, this is why your ship will hand you your passport to hold with you throughout the whole visit in Israel (what does not the case in most ports around the world). the face control is done in several ways. in the big ship the Israeli border police people usually get onboard the ship in the last port the ship calls before Israel and all the process is done on the ship while sailing to Israel. With small ships the process is done when the ship docks either on the ship itself or at the passengers terminal (depends where the ship is docking in the port). All the above is right for both port Haifa and Ashdod. this process is done only one time and at the end you'll get your Boarding Pass that you'll use every time you'll get off on back to the ship. Your passport will not be stamped in any case.

All this is the Border Control process and has nothing to do with security. Even if it is done on ship when docking the whole process of clearance is done in something like 1/2 an hour for a medium size ship of up to 2000 passengers.

The first security man or woman you will meet only when you get off the ship. If your ship has scanning machine the Israeli security people usually take over, using it, and the whole process is done in the gangway. If not it is done in the passengers terminal or on the pier. this above is also right for both ports.

Now here is the best part of it...

Since here in Israel we do profiling the process is very short to the surprising of most, who expect a long and tiring process. Actually for most Israelis the American security process and regulations are nightmare compering to the Israeli one that we are use to...

To sum all, don't be too worried about the security in the port, it is simple, easy, fast and very efficient.

As for guides pickup, all licensed guides who are driving official touring car (known in Israel as Eshkol car) can enter the port of Ashdod and pick the passengers from the same place the ship excursions are leaving. No need to do special arrangement and this hasn't changed for years.

In Haifa port it is different. If the ship dock by the passenger terminal pier all guide are waiting outside of terminal in the parking known as "The Bridge". it is a very short walk fro the passengers from the ship, into the terminal and up the stairs to the exit to the bridge. If the ship dock far from the terminal then again licensed tour guide with official touring cars can enter the port and pick from the pier. Private minibuses and busses (used for organized private groups or for share tours) cannot enter the port and wait at the terminal. in that case there will always be a shuttle bus from the far pier to the terminal.

hope everything is clear now.

relax and have a great visit in Israel.

Approximately how long does it take to drive from the port to Jerusalem or to Tel Aviv & Haifa to Golan Heights?

I have been there many times.

It might be done on your ship before you arrive but sometimes that is not possible and it is done that morning which can delay departure.

Just be sure your guide knows that you will be there as soon as you are cleared to go off the ship.

Keith

 

Just be sure your guide knows that you will be there as soon as you are cleared to go off the ship.

 

Keith

That is pretty sound advice.

Here is a link to what we encountered in Eilat earlier this year. Its not to say you will have the the same thing in Ashod but be prepared.

http://www.wansbroughs-cruise-blog.me.uk/2014/04/costa-fortuna-postcard-13-eilat-israel/

All done on the ship

Sent from my iPhone using Forums