first time on Celebration

[nogbert]

hi folks

1st time on Celebration 10/10/11 just a few questions

 

money ? going to 5 different country's , best to change on board ?

 

water , bring a bottle on or buy on board ?

 

trips , going to do Cairo n Jerusalem Both full days

 

but Alexandria ?

 

formal dress how formal is it ? [ I'm happy in my jeans ]

 

thanks:confused:

[jenny wren]

Welcome to the forum....we did a similar itinerary on Spirit last year and used euros and some dollars everywhere.....in Egypt you can use any currency at all even sterling...Israel euros or Dollars are readily accepted ..Cyprus use euros and Turkey will generally accept euros...except for perhaps taxi drivers but you can ask first and then draw some lira from an ATM if you need them....

regarding water...not sure what there is at the terminal at Marmaris, but there may well be a shop selling water cheaper than on board in which case I'd get some if you are going to need it...but there are machines with drinking water in the 24 hour buffet so you could fill a bottle from there (using a glass to fill the bottle they don't like you to put the bottle under the tap) ...the bottled water in the cabin is not too expensive anyway.

We have done two different trips from Alexandria one to El Alamein which we found very moving and interesting visiting the war graves and the museum...but this is really only for those interested in the Second World War....we also did a trip called Greek and Roman Alexandria which took you to the sites of interest in Alexandria itself and the museum..just a half day and very interesting.

If you want to eat in the main dining room on formal night you are expected to dress in a suit...either dark lounge suit with tie/bowtie or dinner suit...if you don't want to dress up you can eat in the buffet restaurant. Most people dress formally we have found...its just one formal night per week.

[nogbert]

thanks Jenny thats great. most of my questions answered straight away

[jenny wren]

Should have said re the currency that its best to get your euros before you go....if you have a big Tesco near you their foreign exchange is usually one of the best rates ...failing that shop around M & S or high street travel agents..:)

[Choirman PJ]

Hi Nogbert

We were not overly impressed with Alexandria as it is a big city which had lost some of its history. The main attractions were the Light House and Roman amphitheatre.

 

We did the panoramic Jerusalem trip this year and would advise that it was a lot of walking. Some people found it difficult.

The Jerusalem/Bethlehem trip will be easier, we did it many years ago. You cover both locations so there is not as much walking but still a lot. This trip, for us, was the main reason for going on this cruise. It's a long day but well worth it.

 

You will also visit Port Said for Cairo on this cruise. Cairo is a must if you've not been before but it's a hell of a journey. We had been before so stayed on the ship. We were there the day that all those tourists were killed near to the Valley of the Kings. Talk about a panic to get us all back to the ship!

 

Alanya is also on this cruise. What an unexpected pleasure. Don't go on a tour, just walk around the port. You will be delighted.

 

Enjoy

Peter