IMPORTANT NOTES WHEN TRAVELING TO SAUDI ARABIA

Visa

1. PASSPORT

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after entering the country. It must not contain any stamps/visas from Israel, and must contain at least 2x empty pages side by side.

2. BIOMETRIC DATA

All travellers must provide biometric data (fingerprint and/or retina scan) when arriving into the country.

3. TURIST VISA

Nationals of the countries listed on the Web site below can obtain the Saudi tourist visa online in the form of an e-visa, or on arrival at the airport. We recommend purchasing your visa online, in advance.

For further information please, visit the official goverment web site.

4. CONSULATE INFORMATION

Please check the consulate page for Saudi Arabia in your country for important regulations and laws concerning travel to the country. Please follow these regulations at all times.

Culture

5. CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS RESPECT

Although now tourists can also visit the country, we ask you to please always respect the country’s religious nature that is present in every-day life. Please dress modestly and respectfully. Men should wear at least short-sleeve tops (no tank tops), and long pants. Women should wear long-sleeve tops, and ankle-long pants or skirts. The tops must not be low-cut or revelaing, and no clothing must be see-through. Women should carry with them a light scarf in case they are asked to cover their head. (It can be loosely draped around the head.)

Please refrain from all public demonstration of affection such as kissing, hugging, hand holding. Married couples may walk arm in arm. Please also refrain from loud talk, swearing, problematic behaviour, and from dancing and music in public areas.

It is FORBIDDEN to take into the country any foods containing or made of pork or pork products, alchohol, including chocolates/sweets containing alcohol, pornographic publications/materials, and publications/materials that are offensive to Islam, among other things. The country's laws and very strict, so please obey all regulations and laws at all times.

During the holy month of Ramadan, please refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking (including water pipe) in public from dawn until dusk.

6. MECCA AND MEDINA

Visiting the two holy sites of Mecca and Medina is still not permitted to non-Muslim travellers.

7. INSURANCE

It is very important that all our guests have valid health, travel, luggage, diving, and cancellation insurance. The insurance that must be purchased together with the tourist visa usually only covers emergency medical assistance, and has limited coverage. We recommend that you purchase additional insurance that you are familiar with and you usually buy.

Administration

8. COVID

At present you may enter the country without a need for vaccination and/or PCR-test however the consulate page for Saudi Arabia in your country must be followed at all times with regard to the latest regulations.

9. LOCAL CURRENCY

The local currency is the Saudi Riyal (SAR). In case of cash payments, only Riyal is accepted however credit cards are widely accepted. You can exchange USD and EUR at airports, banks, and hotels.

Climate

10. TEMPERATURES

Weather temperatures around Jeddah in the spring are around 29-36 °C. It gets warmer as you get closer to the extremely hot summer months.

Water temperatures in February are around 27-28 °C, and they get warmer towards the end of May, to about 29 °C.

11. AS RELATED TO M/Y ANDROMEDA

While the boat is in the harbour, T-shirts and shorts, skirts are acceptable attire but once leaving the boat, please adhere to the modest attire as described earlier.

Only cash payments are accepted on the boat. You may pay in EUR (or in USD at the given day’s currency exchange rate).

Alcoholic beverages are not served on the boat.

During the holy month of Ramadan eating, drinking, and smoking is not restricted on the boat during the day, however we respectfully ask you to please be a bit more considerate towards the crew on the boat during these days. When leaving the boat, please adhere to those mentioned earlier that relate to Ramadan.