IgKh

Generally, no. Tourist oriented businesses (such as hotels, car rental agencies, etc.) might be willing to take foreign currency, but often with a very bad exchange rate. Shops, restaurants, taxis, public transportation and the like will likely only accept NIS.

However, it is possible to pay with credit cards in many many locations and ATMs are plentiful.

Shalom. Thanks for taking time to answer questions.

 

We are making final payment on our October cruise next week. Hope curren unrest settles down, really feel for the families affected.

 

Regardless, we are expecting to be in Israel - 2 days in Ashdod and 1 day in Haifa if all goes well. Some times if there is unrest we end up in Haifa only, which we love.

 

We are wondering if there are sheruts we can get to various places in Israel... we have friends we would like to visit while there.

 

Ashdod to Haifa? Ashdod to Netanyua?

 

Haifa to Motzkin? Haifa to Nahairya?

 

Another option would be i guess the train, is that possible from Ashdod or do we need to go to Televiv?

 

We suspect private taxis will be too expensive.

Hello,

Hopefully this is still relevant. The experience from previous rounds of violence indicates that their duration is limited, and there is a very good chance that by October all will be quiet.

All of the cities that you mentioned have excellent connections by train. However, trains and most other forms of public transit do not run on Shabbat (Friday afternoon to Saturday evening - check timetables on http://www.rail.co.il/EN). If you need to travel on weekdays, I think the train is the best option.

Ashdod has a train station, but it is in the outskirts of the city, rather far from the port. Some cruise lines may offer shuttles to the city center, which is closer to the station, and also has an express bus connection to Tel Aviv.

As for Sherut lines, I know there is a line from Tel Aviv to Haifa (also serves Netanya), and a line from Haifa to Nehariya (also for K. Motzkin). Not sure about Ashdod. Anyway, Sheruts have no predictable timetables so best to use them if no other options are available (that is, on Shabbat).

The ship was docked at all the ports. I believe you are asking if we had to take a small taxi boat from the ship to the port, right? We have had to do this before in the past, but not at any ports on this cruise. Just walked straight off the ship to the port :)

 

 

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Yes, that's right. Thank you for the quick response :)

Thank you for the review. We will experience the same itinerary this September, so I'll be following with great interest.

Was the ship docked in all ports, or were there tenders anywhere?