Azamara Egypt, Israel, Turkey cruise 2022

  Last night we had our Destination Immersion evening. Azamara usually has their "Azamazing Evening" where they take all passengers to a special on shore event. But because of Covid, regulations don't allow this. They are hoping by the end of the year these events can happen again. So for now, they are having a special evening onboard and bringing local entertainment on. The event was held out on the pool deck, and a perfect night for it as it's very warm. Cocktails and appetizers are served.  First of all a Klezmer trio, then musicians, singers and a dance troupe with traditional and more modern songs and dances. The grand finale was Hava Nagila with everyone invited to get up and join in. Lots of fun!

 It's quite hazy this morning as we dock in Haifa. It's another large industrial port, but right in the town of Haifa and overlooked by Mount Carmel. As in Ashdod, the Israeli ports are very security conscious. After breakfast out to the bus to join the Shore Excursion of Haifa and Acre. Our guide explains that when the wind is from the east like now, it brings the dust from the desert. So when we go up Mount Carmel there isn't a panoramic view, but we can still see the Bahai Gardens. Haifa is the centre for the Bahai faith. We have another stop at Stella Maris church, very beautiful that holds a site by tradition that is the Cave of Elijah. The Stella Maris monastery nearby is for Carmelite nuns. We then drive through Haifa to Acre or Appo, about 30 minute drive. This area is quite industrial, lots of shipping infrastructure, factories and oil refinery. Acre is a very well preserved crusader city, with forts, mosque, souk and old city walls. A very interesting history incl...

  My shore excursion today was called Glorious Jerusalem, and it was! An 8:30am start for approximately one and a half hour drive into Jerusalem. The countryside starts out flat, and well cultivated. Everything is quite green, irrigation comes from recycled and purified water. Israel has a shortage of water, and usually no rain during the summer. As we progress we get into rolling hills, something like Tuscany with quite a few vineyards. Then into the Judean hills. We have a bathroom break at a cafe dedicated to Elvis. Not something I expected to see here! We arrived into Jerusalem and drove up the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city. While up there we heard the 2 minute air raid siren to commemorate the Holocaust, as this is Holocaust Remembrance Day. The city is built on several hills, although they are called mountains. Our next stop is the Church at Gethsemane, a beautiful church built on the site where Jesus is suppose to have been arrested. Then we drove up the h...

 Our first port in Israel, so we need to get a PCR test before we're cleared to go ashore. Testing starts just after 8:30am onboard. I then have time for breakfast before going ashore to clear immigration. Then back onboard to wait for the test results. Ashdod is a very big industrial port, very busy and quite noisy. The Norwegian Jade is berthed ahead of us. She carries approximately 3 times the passengers the Pursuit does, so looks huge! We have a long wait for results. Everyone onboard had to be tested, and because it's PCR it takes longer. We had hoped to get results by about 2, but in the end it's 5:30pm before the all clear is sounded. Because it's so much later, our shore excursion to Tel Aviv and Jaffa is shortened. We have the option to cancel or go ahead with a slight reduction in cost. I decide to go ahead, and I'm very glad I did! Today is the eve of Holocaust memorial day, so fewer people around. It's a little over 1/2 hour drive from Ashdod to Tel ...

 Because of the long shore excursion yesterday, (not getting back to the ship until almost 9pm) I decided not to do an excursion today during our half day in Alexandria. I enjoyed a leisurely morning with breakfast on the outside deck. I then spent the morning catching up with emails and doing a little work. The port of Alexandria gives you a good view of some of the interesting buildings, so in the afternoon I walked around deck and enjoyed the on deck barbeque and the views for our departure.  There looks to be some beautiful beaches outside of the city centre. Lots of small fishing boats, oil rigs and a line of ships heading for the Suez Canal. An afternoon swim, a meeting with Solo travellers in the Living Room lounge, then dinner in Windows for a taste of Mediterranean menu. The Eggplant Parmigiana was wonderful! I caught part of the show in Cabaret lounge before heading for bed. 

  An early morning arrival into the port of Alexandria. I'm up early as well, as my shore excursion to Cairo meets at 6:30am. Lots of people at breakfast as most people are going into Cairo today. With Covid restrictions each group must be 30 or less, so a nice size.  I meet up with my new friend Carmel and we head for the bus for the approximate 2 1/2 hour bus ride. All the buses go in a convoy with police escort. Alexandria is a large city, about 5 million people. Some parts are quite run down, but lots and lots of building going on, especially apartment buildings and infrastructure. Our guide gives us a run-down of Egyptian history during the drive. There is a bit of high overcast and lots of smog as we approach Giza on the outskirts of Cairo.  It's such a strange and amazing sight to see the Pyramids appearing in the distance above the buildings! Because of our early start it's not too hot yet. We have 3 stops at the Pyramid site, the first to get a panoramic view, th...

We had a 1pm pick-up from our hotel to the cruise dock in Piraeus. About a half hour drive. We were quite early at check-in but they were all set up with the boarding process which of course is complicated because of Covid. We went through several steps, had our Covid tests (negative, yeah!) and checked in. The pier was experiencing internet problems, so longer than usual, but still onboard by 3pm. Cabins and luggage were ready too! I'm in a Veranda cabin, very well laid out and spacious especially for 1 person! After unpacking I toured the ship, similar to other Azamara ships I've seen, but a few updates. I really enjoy this size of ship (just under 700 passengers) Big enough to have everything you want, but not overwhelming. It's always interesting departing from Piraeus, so many different sizes of ferries and cruise ship. Masks are recommended inside when social distancing isn't possible. All crew are wearing masks at all times. Sail away just after 6pm, and tonight ...

  A long day! I flew on Turkish Airlines Vancouver to Istanbul , 3 hour connection then 1 hour to Athens. Flight was almost full. Good service and comfortable aircraft, but hard to get any sleep on a flight that full. Istanbul airport is very large, but very efficient. A good airport to connect in with no customs or security for most connecting flights. They even have outside terraces and nap areas with comfortable lounge chairs. Evening arrival in Athens, and I was glad I had pre-booked a transfer for the 40 minute drive to the hotel. One nice thing about arriving at night is that there isn't much traffic. A quick check-in at the Hera hotel then out for a glass of wine and snack with Dorian & Jessie. Complete with view of the Acropolis. In bed by about 10:30pm Next morning after a good sleep, a nice buffet breakfast with friendly staff. Off for a walk around Mars hill near the Acropolis before going back to the hotel to check-out. It's Orthodox Easter this weekend, so lots...