To cruise or not to cruise. That was our question. - Eastern Mediterranean "Ports" Review by alibabatimes

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Home > Member Reviews > alibabatimes's Port Reviews of Mykonos, Rhodes, Haifa, Jerusalem (Ashdod), Cairo (Port Said), Alexandria

alibabatimes's Port Reviews of Mykonos, Rhodes, Haifa, Jerusalem (Ashdod), Cairo (Port Said), Alexandria
Azamara Journey cruise in November 2010

Member Name:	alibabatimes
Cruise Date:	November 2010
Embarkation:	Athens (Piraeus)
Destination:	Eastern Mediterranean
Member Review:	alibabatimes's Azamara Journey Review

	Mykonos Port Rating: This was the only excursion we went on which was booked through the Azamara and it was outstanding. The excursion was to Ancient Delos - half an hour on a boat from Mykonos. Don't miss this wonder of the ancient world and a world heritage archaeological site. After this visit we returned to Mykonos and walked around this charming fishing village full of white-washed houses and restaurant terraces bursting with flowers. Don't miss the Panama Hat shop - seriously good and expensive (but they are the real deal)
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	Rhodes Port Rating: We loved Rhodes and spent our time walking around the Old Town and looking in some of the shops. On the shop front - there are some seriously interesting shops with beautiful fabrics. There was no pressure to buy so you could go in and out of shops at your leisure. The Old Town is very interesting and, if not on an excursion, take a guide book to do it justice.
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	Haifa Port Rating: We joined a tour, organised by fellow Cruise Critics, taking in the North of Israel and including the Sea of Galilee. The highlight was visiting Safed with all its historical synagogues and the very interesting artists' colony. I would have loved to have had more time in the artists' colony and wished I had bought one of the caricature drawings I watched an artist draw of musicians with various musical instruments. They were fantastic. Having said that there was all manner of arts and crafts in one packed, cobble-stoned street of artists - fascinating. We also had an amazing lunch of humus, pitta breads, dips and salads at a cafe/restaurant on the banks of the Sea of Galilee - highly recommended. Wonderful Mediterranean food and not expensive.
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	Jerusalem (Ashdod) Port Rating: We loved Jerusalem - the old walls, the fascinating Via Delarosa with its shops like Aladdin's caves and all the hustle and bustle of commercial life in a small space, the church of the Holy Sepulchre and the wailing wall. The most interesting for me was the Via Delarosa - the sweet shop stalls, the food shops, the craft shops, jewelery etc etc - just so colourful and different to anything I have ever seen. We also saw a re-enactment of Christ's journey with the cross which gave pause for thought. The church unfortunately was jam-packed when we went but that is going to be inevitable on a cruise trip when travel is at peak times.
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	Cairo (Port Said) Port Rating: The port here is Port Said - most passengers took a trip to Cairo and the Pyramids on this day. Having been there the year before we decided to venture out in to Port Said itself. Never again. Sadly it is dirty and did not have much to recommend it. We went to the National Military Museum and were the only visitors to see a poorly designed museum, with explanations in terrible English and full of pictures of Egyptian generals in warrior-like poses. Not to be recommended (but then the entrance fee was very small!) If you have seen the pyramids and done Cairo and the museum then I would recommend a relaxing day on the Azamara.
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	Alexandria Port Rating: We loved Alexandria with its corniche, old colonial buildings, Roman remains and its very impressive new library. The views from the open-air cafe at the top of the Cecil Hotel are excellent looking out to sea and up and down the corniche.
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	Sorrento Port Rating: Sorrento is a delight - the town itself and its proximity to Pompeii (a must) and the Amalfi coast. A guided tour of Pompeii is highly recommended and it remains a wonder of the world. Positano is a delightful town on the Amalfi coast with highly individual shops. And everywhere the best ice cream in the world!
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	Rome (Civitavecchia) Port Rating: What can you say about Rome that has not been said before? It is the most astonishing city full of history. Ancient buildings around every corner, Bernini statues seemingly in every square and the very impressive St Peter's and the Vatican. Your only limit is time. Highlights are: the Pantheon, St Peter's, the Vatican and, of course, the Coliseum. We stayed over one night here at the end of our cruise. The Azamara organised everything superbly taking us there and collecting us to go back to the airport at the end of our stay with a guide even on the mini-bus back. The only disappointment was the hotel was not very central.
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