temerarious

This is true, but on my tour the communication was very poor regarding the abaya. Most of us were not aware this was a requirement until they were distributed when we were at the train station, and we were told we had to wear it. The information was extremely unclear. Our tour escorts told us the guide in Medina would explain everything, but when we arrived, he was "unpleasant" (this is the most generous word I can use) when I asked questions about it. I pressed a bit, and he told me it had to be worn at the museum and outside the mosques. I chose not to wear it on the train, on the bus or at the restaurant for lunch. It would have been much better if these expectations were communicated before we left the ship. It isn't correct to assume that everyone knows this. Some of the tour participants did see a description of the tour that included this information, but MANY of us did not. I'm quite thorough in my reading of provided material, and I was not aware.

I don't know anything more about the security other than what we were told in the letter I previously posted. UnfortunateIy, I'm not paying any attention to what other ships might be nearby (navy or otherwise), so I can't answer that question either. MY OPINION: people outside the mosques in Medina seemed slightly hostile and not at all interested in us or friendly. (I got the vibe they would have preferred we were not there.) When we arrived at the restaurant for lunch, however, all of the staff members were curious and friendly and using their cell phones to record video of our arrival and departure. In Jeddah today, no one really seemed to pay too much attention to us one way or the other.

You do not have to adhere to the dress code restrictions on the ship - just the alcohol restrictions. 🍸

Based on my experience, it's quite typical for conservative Muslim countries. Men & women are expected to cover to knees and elbows. Men were told they could wear long shorts. Women were told they could wear dresses below the knee or capris. Short sleeved shirts not recommended. No head coverings required for women (although my understanding is if you want to visit certain religious places, that is a requirement). I'm heading out on my first tour to Medina in about an hour. I can post with updates when I return tonight.

Currently on the Silver Moon, but will be disembarking in Aqaba on January 6th. We are not traveling south of Jeddah on this cruise. No word beyond what I posted previously, however, we are currently consumed with communication around Saudi Arabia restrictions. In addition to the review of the conservative dress code, ALL alcohol is being removed from both the public areas and our cabins starting tonight. No alcohol will be served on the ship until we leave Yanbu on January 4th.

Back to the original thread topic: I'm currently on the Silver Moon. As a result of the itinerary changes replacing the Egypt ports, we spent two days in Rhodes (Dec 27 & Dec 28). The dress code published when we boarded indicated the 27th would be Casual & the 28th would be Informal. When we received our 'Chronicles' for Dec 28th, the dress code had been changed to Casual. (I was one of the VERY FEW people who noticed.) The Hotel Director stopped by to chat with our Solo Travelers group the evening of 12/28, and I asked about the change. She said that she personally made the decision to change the dress code from Informal to Casual because of the two days in port and our late departure time (6pm). I asked if she was planning on making the same the change for Jeddah, which has exactly the same schedule. She said she would NOT be making changes (which doesn't make sense - so we shall see). I mentioned there was a great deal of online discussion, debate (and controversy) over the dress code. She said Silversea is very aware of the various opinions. I think the message ggo85 was sending in this post has been received (at least by this Hotel Director). My only issue is that I packed for 4 Casual and 8 Informal nights. If two of the Informal nights are changed to Casual, I really wish I'd brought one more sweater and one less dress. 👗

Adding a data point from the current holiday cruise (Dec 22 Athens to Jan 06 Aqaba) on the Silver Moon - only 289 passengers.

Hi everyone - currently onboard the Silver Moon and we enter the Suez Canal tonight (scheduled for 3:30am Dec 31st). We all received this letter in our cabins yesterday evening:

While there are still questions regarding OBC or FCC offerings for the cruise that departs on January 6th, I am confident the 12/22 - 1/06 Silver Moon cruise will disembark in Aqaba. SS is not changing our disembarkation port. My travel agent confirmed it today. Also, I received my cruise documents on 11/25. Looking forward to meeting all of you on the trip.

I asked my TA to call to see what SS would say about the changes since I am scheduled to disembark in Aqaba on January 6th. SS said my cruise has no changes to the disembarkation (my cruise will end in Jordan), and they are not offering any SBC or FCC for my cruise. However, SS told her they are making an offer on a different cruise. My TA didn't find out which different cruise because it wasn't relevant to me. I feel fortunate - my reason for booking the trip was to transit the Suez Canal and to visit Saudi Arabia. Aside from our disembarkation port, those are the ONLY other two things that haven't changed on my trip. I'm also relieved I don't have to figure out an alternate business class air itinerary from Muscat less than one month before departure. I think the question as to whether or not the Silver Moon will depart from Aqaba on January 6th has been answered. It will.

This is completely different information from what everyone else has been talking about on this thread. The segment that ends in Muscat leaves on Jan 6th - hence the thread title.

Just to clarify: The offer that you are taking is not in writing anywhere? You are getting this offer only verbally from SS via your TA? Is this correct?

Yes - I reached out to her on 11/21 as soon I as was aware of this thread. This was her response on 11/25: I received your email about a potential change to your itinerary. We have not received any information regarding a change. If there is ever a change we would notify you immediately. I have however received your eticket. It is attached to this email. Per the eticket it still states you are disembarking in Jordan. Hopefully this helps.

I have been following this with great interest because I am on the 12/22 - 1/6 cruise allegedly disembarking in Aqaba. This will be my first cruise with SS. My trip is just over 3 weeks out from departure (23 days), and I have heard nothing except what is posted on this thread. What is interesting is that our current itinerary would have to be SIGNIFICANTLY modified (AGAIN) if this port change from Aqaba to Muscat is true. Our last stop prior to disembarkation is Yanbu, Ras Al Abyadh, Saudi Arabia on 1/4, however, we would need FOUR sea days to travel from there to Muscat. If SS intends to keep Saudi Arabia on our itinerary (we currently have 3 days planned), our Suez Canal transit would have to be adjusted to an earlier date (it was already moved from Dec 28th to Dec 31st when they removed all of the Egyptian ports from the itinerary), OR there will only be 1 day available to stop in Saudi Arabia on the way to Muscat. Either way, it's hard to believe that they have been planning this for over 2 weeks now without notifying any of the passengers on EITHER the 12/22 departure or the 1/6 departure of the change. IF (big IF) they do end up making this change, the fact that they withheld this information from us for as long as they have is unconscionable. This isn't like the situation where they have removed ports from the itinerary (Egypt) or substituted others (Greek Islands). This will have a huge financial impact to those of us who have to adjust our flights, and every day that they delay communication makes the problem worse. I'm dumbfounded this is even a possibility at this point in time...

I was hoping you could confirm my understanding of your information. (I am on the 12/22 Silver Moon departure from Athens that is supposed to disembark in Aqaba on January 6th.) Your information is that the January 6th cruise will now depart from Muscat, Oman - is that correct?