Cruise Timing for Israel & Egypt

[Travelalot2]

We are narrowing down our cruise choices that visit both Israel and Egypt. Based on our availability, we can go either late Aug. (22nd) or mid Sept (15th) for 12 nights. Is there any difference in weather during that time - most importantly, if we go in late August (our preferred time), will we scorch in the heat? We are 50ish and don't mind some heat, but would not like it miserable either. If this is the case, we may wait until we can go another time.

[OreetS]

We are narrowing down our cruise choices that visit both Israel and Egypt. Based on our availability, we can go either late Aug. (22nd) or mid Sept (15th) for 12 nights. Is there any difference in weather during that time - most importantly, if we go in late August (our preferred time), will we scorch in the heat? We are 50ish and don't mind some heat, but would not like it miserable either. If this is the case, we may wait until we can go another time.

Since it seems that weather, or more accurately - heat, is a major factor for you I would suggest you try to schedule your cruise to Israel and Egypt for a more temperate time of the year.

Of the two, Sept has a better chance of being comfortable. The temperature is variable and in Sept. can be pleasant or very hot in Israel. August will most definitely be hotter.

 

I can only speak for the weather in Israel, however, whatever it is here - it will always be noticeably warmer in Egypt - so if you are concerned about it not being miserable you would do better in Oct-Nov or Mar-May.

[TravelguruDanville]

Hi,

Suggest that when you pick your cruise, also consider the days of the week that the ship docks in Israel. Friday...all holy Muslim sites are off limits and on Saturday the entire country pretty much shuts down. Public transportation is almost non-existent between Friday sundown and Saturday sundown. Although observing the start or ending of Shabbat is a wonderful experience, I would make sure that our next cruise there doesn't do a Friday/Saturday stopover in Ashdod again. Fabulous country...you will love it!

[galila]

As an Israeli travel agent I would like to clarify that even thought the Temple Mount is not accessible to Non Muslims on Fridays ( By the way access is very limited on all other days also and very few people with limited time manage to include the Temple Mount in their program) it is possible to enjoy a wonderful one or 2 days tour of Jerusalem.

 

Most cruise lines direct their passengers to do a one day tour of Jerusalem and a one day tour of Nazareth and the Galilee, but we find that many people maximise their touring of Israel by even staying one night in a Jerusalem hotel thus avoiding the journeys back and forth to Ashdod and Haifa ports and disembarkation time and proceedure on the second day . This also it minimilises the kilometrage charges if they rent a Private guide and van for touring.

 

They say that Jerusalem is always 2/3 open- Friday is the Muslim Sabbath , Saturday the Jewish Sabbath and Sunday the Christian Sabbath.

 

Galila

[cruisemom42]

Regarding the heat, it can be pretty brutal in either August or September. I was in Egypt and Israel in 2010 on a cruise in late September and it was near 100 degrees both days in Israel and over 100 in Egypt.

[susietb]

We were on the September 22nd Equinox sailing this year. The weather in Europe was beautiful: warm with no humidity. In Israel and Egypt it was oppressively hot!!!

[manoftheworld]

my last cruise to the Mediterranean didn't include Israel land excursion. what sights do you recommend in Israel and what company did anyone of you experience??