Cruising Eastern Med & Ramadan

[CruiserDoc]

We are sailing on the Jewel 9/14/2007 & just discovered Ramadan begins Sept 12th. Does anyone know if this will have a negative effect on our activities in Turkey, Egypt or Greece?

[kodos]

Hopefully someone who knows for sure will post but I was on this cruise last year. Ramadan began while we were in Egypt. From what our tour guide in Cairo explained it shouldn't impact you. We really loved this cruise. Enjoy.

[standby 06.30]

We are sailing on the Jewel 9/14/2007 & just discovered Ramadan begins Sept 12th. Does anyone know if this will have a negative effect on our activities in Turkey, Egypt or Greece?

only if you are a muslim then you would not be able to eat between 6am and six pm roughly, greece was the last time I visited orthodox christian the clerics look the same with big beards but they use a different script, I suppose the question is what activities are you worried about that ramadan may impinge on regards

[globalnomads]

During the month of Ramadan, most Muslims abstain from food and water during the day, from sun-up to sunset. (and yes, they abstain from other "pleasures" as well! ;) ) In some countries this is taken all in stride (Turkey for example) and in others it is cause of much delay in work and a near shift of day and night activities (Saudi Arabia). There are still 5 prayer times each day. The breaking of the fast in the evening is usually a bigger event than just the normal weekday dinner, with extended families and friends all joining together for the meal.

 

The only problem you might encounter is if your guide is fasting in which case you would not want to eat or drink in front of him. In Saudi we were told not to eat or drink in public at all during Ramadan.

 

Have a great time.

[drebo]

We were in Istanbul three days last year during Ramadan. One of the days the Spice Bazaar and Grand Bazaar were closed as well as one of the mosques.

Istanbul was much more crowded than usual because many take advantage of the holiday to come into the city; consequently, the other attractions were much, much busier than usual.

That didn't keep us from enjoying the city though. We had a wonderful visit and hope to return.