Hi fellow cruisers,
We are a family of four (2 adults and kids ages 11 and 😎 that will be cruising on the MSC Splendida out of Ain Sokhna, Egypt on March 25, 2023. We opted to do the four night cruise and disembark in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, rather than do the full seven day itinerary. Once we get off the ship, we will be driving directly to the airport to fly to Dubai (transportation has already been booked). Does anyone have any advice on which visit we require? When I contacted VisitSaudi.com they told me that we require a Transit Visa by Sea (see attached). However, upon review of the MSC website it states that Transit Visas are not to be used my passengers disembarking in Saudia Arabia and that an e-Visa is required (also attached). The difference in price is $200 versus $800 CAD so fairly important to get this right. I understand we can purchase our visas on the ship but our flight leaves at 11:55am from Jeddah and therefore I’d be pushing it if we dock at 8am and I need to be at the airport by 9:30am. I’d really appreciate any advice from past cruisers on this ship and itinerary.
