Libya open to Americans

[ariellejesse]

I suppose cruise lines will be wary about stopping in Libya until the situation of visas is well documented. Americans and Europeans ( again) are allowed tourist visas with some restrictions ( see Trip Advisor). I hope all can soon visit Lepis Magnus in peace. Are there any cruises now stopping in Libya, ? Costa?

[ariellejesse]

Sorry, that should be Leptis Magna.

[cruisemom42]

Voyages to Antiquity has an itinerary that stops in Libya -- I would've booked it this year if I'd known US citizens would be able to get off the ship. I hope the situation remains stable for a few years. Leptis Magna is one of those places I really must visit.

[ariellejesse]

A number of ships visit Libya ( as listed by *************). I guess others would be cautious about adding these ports to their itineraries earlier than 2012. Voyages to Antiquity, based on the recent posts, seems iffy, especially the problems involving shortenings of the excursions and port stays. This I would not appreciate. I have, however, requested a brochure and am curious about the "free air" advertised.

[Sekhmet]

Voyages of Discovery are also going to Libya - we are booked for a cruise in October, which calls at Tripoli, al Khums for Leptis Magna and Benghazi, as well as Istanbul, Crete, Malta and Alexandria.

[patseacruiser]

ariellejesse - the free air is not 'free'. I think it's a pretty reasonable price but if you don't want their air it can be deducted. On most sailings it's approximately $800 per person so if you didn't want the air and want to do it on your own the price will be adjusted by that.

[patseacruiser]

P.S. - VTA also reports that they are having no problems applying for their visas for US passengers. So that's great to hear.

[cruisemom42]

A number of ships visit Libya ( as listed by *************). I guess others would be cautious about adding these ports to their itineraries earlier than 2012. Voyages to Antiquity, based on the recent posts, seems iffy, especially the problems involving shortenings of the excursions and port stays. This I would not appreciate. I have, however, requested a brochure and am curious about the "free air" advertised.

 

The initial reports on VtoA truthfully are no worse than I expected for a brand new ship. I'm not saying that issues like those detailed should happen, but it seems to be the norm for operations to be far from smooth in a newly launched ship. According to what Pat (patseacruiser) has reported above, VtoA is working hard to resolve all the issues.....and I hope they will be resolved by November! The shortened tours were largely a result of poor tendering situations.

 

As to Libya, the Voyages of Discovery itinerary sounds good too. So many places to visit -- so little vacation time. :)

[ariellejesse]

So VTA is already in the process of getting visas for the American passengers? Do you mean they will be offering a blanket type visa for the ship's passengers? Who is going to scrutinize the individual passports for the dreaded Israeli stamp or the suspicious Aqaba/Taba routing that is also prohibited (indicating entrance from Israel/Eilat)? I have Taba and Aqaba stamps in my passport, but I did not go through Israel. I am wondering if I would have trouble. I will try to ask via the poster on Trip Advisor. Pat, do you know?

[Sekhmet]

I accept that the rules may vary for different nationalities, and I would always subscribe to the cautious answer of carefully checking for yourself, but the information we got from Voyages of Discovery was that provided we are taking the ship's tours, and provided we have no Israeli stamps in our passports, we do NOT need individual visas.

 

We also have Aqaba and Taba stamps; we will do a check query with VoD and report back.

 

We travelled with VoD last year to the Black Sea, and entered Russia without visas, using the ship's tours and their 'blanket' visa, so they do seem to know what they're doing.

[ariellejesse]

Good to know that VOD knows what they are doing. I would be interested in knowing what you find out about the Aqaba/Taba stamps. Thanks.

[cruisemom42]

I am feeling very frustrated -- trying to find ships with itineraries in 2011 that stop in Libya and Tunis. Most US-based websites seem to have omitted any voyages that stop in Libya (due to the fact that until recently US pax couldn't get visas, I assume) -- and they haven't yet changed their sites to reflect the new rules.

 

Anyone know of 2011 itineraries I can consider? I know Costa had some in 2010 on the Allegra. Doesn't look like VOD is going there in 2011, or else they possibly don't have their late fall 2011 itineraries announced yet?

[Sekhmet]

Anyone know of 2011 itineraries I can consider? I know Costa had some in 2010 on the Allegra. Doesn't look like VOD is going there in 2011, or else they possibly don't have their late fall 2011 itineraries announced yet?

 

As you say VoD don't have the same 2011 itinerary as 2010 - our original plan was to go next year but changed it for that reason.

 

Other (also small ship) possibilities that I know of are http://www.Noble-Caledonia.co.uk and http://www.spiritofadventure.co.uk P&O UK also have a couple of 2011 cruises, but they seem to just have the one stop in Tripoli.

Hope this is of some help.

[cruisemom42]

As you say VoD don't have the same 2011 itinerary as 2010 - our original plan was to go next year but changed it for that reason.

 

Other (also small ship) possibilities that I know of are www.Noble-Caledonia.co.uk and www.spiritofadventure.co.uk P&O UK also have a couple of 2011 cruises, but they seem to just have the one stop in Tripoli.

 

Hope this is of some help.

 

Thanks; I'll check those out. Of course, I'd prefer several stops in Libya plus Tunis for Carthage...... wish I could design my own itinerary! :D

 

I'm wondering if I should change my plans and do Libya this fall, where there are two good itineraries to consider (Voyages of Discovery and Voyages to Antiquity) versus none so far for 2011....

[Sekhmet]

For cruisemom42,

 

I should have added Swan Hellenic to the list of possible Libya visitors. I haven't seen an itinerary of theirs recently which did go, but they are the sort of operator likely to do so.

[Sekhmet]

Good to know that VOD knows what they are doing. I would be interested in knowing what you find out about the Aqaba/Taba stamps. Thanks.

 

We spoke with VoD today (mainly because we needed to pay the balance), and specifically asked about Taba/Aqaba stamps. We were reassured that the only restriction being applied is to those with Israeli stamps, and the ship would acquire a 'blanket' visa for all passengers taking the ship's excursions.

 

I guess we'll know with absolute certainty on October 31st when we sail into Tripoli?!!

[jocap]

As you say VoD don't have the same 2011 itinerary as 2010 - our original plan was to go next year but changed it for that reason.

 

Other (also small ship) possibilities that I know of are www.Noble-Caledonia.co.uk and www.spiritofadventure.co.uk P&O UK also have a couple of 2011 cruises, but they seem to just have the one stop in Tripoli.

 

Hope this is of some help.

Fred Olsen's Balmoral was due to go last year, but cancelled at the last min....maybe they'll be going again this year?

Jo.

[Capricruiser]

The Costa Mediterranea will be stopping at Tripoli on 18 October as part of its 11 day East Med cruise from Savona or Civitavecchia, Italy. We're booked on it and hoping there will be no problems with the scheduled shore excursion to Leptis Magna. I have a US passport.

[Sekhmet]

As promised, an update. We returned from our Voyages of Discovery cruise on Sunday (Istanbul, Crete, Malta, Libya x3, Alexandria), so here is the visa news:

 

Istanbul - paid £10 each on arrival at the airport.

Libya - no problems using the ship's blanket visa (the cost of which was "included in your shore excursion price").

Alexandria - visa obtained by ship, and about £9.50 each added to cabin account.

 

The ship took all passports on boarding and returned them to be carried when ashore in Egypt, but needed them back for exit stamping prior to final disembarkation. Incidentally, we had to fill a form in for Alexandria giving the details and serial number of all photographic equipment to be taken ashore, which is a first for us in 10 visits to Egypt - anyone else come across this?

 

When in Libyan ports and waters, all bars were closed, and alcohol consumption banned in public areas. The ship warned of this beforehand, and took orders to be delivered to your cabin before reaching Libya; they also operated sale-or-return if you had overestimated how much you needed! Sale (though not consumption) of tobacco was also not allowed, and I suspect that casinos may also have to be closed (not an issue on Discovery, as it doesn't have one). For us, this prohibition lasted almost four days.

 

Hope this is helpful, please ask if I've been unclear, or for information about the cruise itself.

[bellagirl]

wow, I have so many questions for you as i've always wanted to visit libya. first of all, what does libya x 3 mean? Were you in port for 3 days?

Did you have to take a state-sponsored tour or were you free to choose on your own? You said you had a blanket visa so I assume that certain tour companies could provide this for you?

Now, on to the goodies!! What did you see Where were you allowed to go? Any places forbidden and did you get a glimpse of Ghadafi's infamous compound in Tripoli? How were the people? Were you able to interact with them? Did you ever feel unsafe? Did you go into the desert? How was the food?!!

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to ask!! shelly

[cruisemom42]

Sekhmet, hope you will give us some details of your stops in Libya. I've put myself down for the Voyages to Antiquity trip with stops in Libya next November and would enjoy hearing your thoughts and experiences too.

[jocap]

Sekhmet, hope you will give us some details of your stops in Libya. I've put myself down for the Voyages to Antiquity trip with stops in Libya next November and would enjoy hearing your thoughts and experiences too.

Cruisemom...it will soon be time for your Voyages to Antiquity THIS year...have a wonderful time, and please come back and tell us about this fascinating cruise. :cool:

Jo.

[Capricruiser]

Cruisemom, I should have posted comments on our cruise stop at Tripoli last month. We arrived on the 18th of October aboard the Costa Mediterranea. All passengers whether they were planning on disembarking or not were debited a mandatory €14.00 a head Lybian visa charge - apparently required by Lybian authorities for any ship entering their territorial waters. Four disembarking possibilites were offered: ship excursions to Leptis Magna, Sabratha, or a tour of Tripoli, as well as being able to disembark and walk around Tripoli on your own. The two excursions out of Tripoli were by bus and passengers were required to remain as a group on the individual buses leaving the port and returning. On return you had to reembark on the ship. Those opting for the Tripoli tour or walk around could not leave the city limits but were free to stay ashore all day.

It was clear that the Tripoli tourism people were not geared for masses of excursionists and we literally swamped them - buses of varying age and condition had been sequestered for our visit from all over the country it seemed. There was ample confusion and delays as they tried to accommodate more than 2000 passengers.

My wife and I opted for Leptis Magna for which we paid €107 each (which included the visa and lunch). Our group of about 45 people went on one of the buses (not the newest) with a very good archaeologist guide and enjoyed the six hour tour of the site along with about an hour for lunch under a huge Khadafi-type tent (chicken and couscous preceded by an interesting spicy soup and followed by sweets and fruit). On return our bus took us back along the Tripoli waterfront (with huge photos of the Colonel on every corner) directly to our ship. Needless to say, Leptis was magnificent.

The few Lybians we met were courteous and friendly. I noticed no hostility whatsoever towards us.

[cruisemom42]

Cruisemom...it will soon be time for your Voyages to Antiquity THIS year...have a wonderful time, and please come back and tell us about this fascinating cruise. :cool:

Jo.

 

Yes, indeed, my trip starts in less than 2 weeks. I'll definitely post here about it when I'm back. Probably in more detail than most people want! ;)

[cruisemom42]

Cruisemom, I should have posted comments on our cruise stop at Tripoli last month. We arrived on the 18th of October aboard the Costa Mediterranea. All passengers whether they were planning on disembarking or not were debited a mandatory €14.00 a head Lybian visa charge - apparently required by Lybian authorities for any ship entering their territorial waters. Four disembarking possibilites were offered: ship excursions to Leptis Magna, Sabratha, or a tour of Tripoli, as well as being able to disembark and walk around Tripoli on your own. The two excursions out of Tripoli were by bus and passengers were required to remain as a group on the individual buses leaving the port and returning. On return you had to reembark on the ship. Those opting for the Tripoli tour or walk around could not leave the city limits but were free to stay ashore all day.

It was clear that the Tripoli tourism people were not geared for masses of excursionists and we literally swamped them - buses of varying age and condition had been sequestered for our visit from all over the country it seemed. There was ample confusion and delays as they tried to accommodate more than 2000 passengers.

My wife and I opted for Leptis Magna for which we paid €107 each (which included the visa and lunch). Our group of about 45 people went on one of the buses (not the newest) with a very good archaeologist guide and enjoyed the six hour tour of the site along with about an hour for lunch under a huge Khadafi-type tent (chicken and couscous preceded by an interesting spicy soup and followed by sweets and fruit). On return our bus took us back along the Tripoli waterfront (with huge photos of the Colonel on every corner) directly to our ship. Needless to say, Leptis was magnificent.

The few Lybians we met were courteous and friendly. I noticed no hostility whatsoever towards us.

 

Thanks -- I appreciate the details. Can't wait to visit Leptis Magna and other great sites in Libya.