Visa for Saudi Arabia

[Ovsa]

What is the latest for visa requirements to visit the port of Jeddah for just the day from the MSC  ship?  Are they issuing free Maritime e-visas or how much does it cost? All I can find are transit visas application.  Thanks

[NWT Cruiser]

My daughter and her husband and 2 children are on a short MSC cruise out of Egypt to Jeddah (March 25 - March 29).  They have flights the same afternoon they arrive on the ship from Jeddah to Dubai.  It seems like they will each need a visa (or maritime visa) which costs approx. $200 Cdn. a person ($800 for the family).  Seems ridiculous ... getting off the ship and going directly to the airport and a visa is required.  They'll apply for the visa (electronically) while on board the ship.  Maybe there's a chance their passports will be stamped showing just a transfer is required. 

[NWT Cruiser]

By the way, the family of 4 mentioned above are from Calgary too.

 

[Ovsa]

yes, i have heard that...but they are traveling from seport to airport so I think that might be different than just a port visit for part of the day. Thier visa web site does not specify the difference. I avoided the Cruise to S,A>. mostly for that reason.  thanks