I'm a newbie

[Downwind]

I stumbled upon CruiseCrazies just today while seeking information on Tripoli, Libya.

We're booked on the Rotterdam in September and one of the ports-of-call is Tripoli, Libya. I can't seem to find any reviews of Tripoli. Can anyone steer me in the right direction? This will be our second Mediterranian cruise but I don't think it will be our last. Five years ago we were on the old Noordam (Lisbon to Rome) and had a terrific time.

We cruised the Mexican Riveria over Thanksgiving and have just recently posted our review at http://www.cruisecrazies.com/reviews/hal/ryndam/review=1.php . I would appreciate and comments or suggestions.

Downwind

[Joanandjoe]

Welcome aboard!

Because of the long time U.S. embargo of Libya (well deserved after the Pan Am bombing), you're unlikely to find Libya in a U.S. based web site. I tried Trip Advisor, Fodor's, and Frommers--nothing. I looked at the link to tourism web sites, http://www.towd.com/ . This should help you for your other ports, but nothing for Libya.

A few suggestions:

Try UK based web sites. Maybe Baedeker deals with Tripoli. You also might try the web sites of European based and upscale cruise lines: Hapag-Lloyd, Silversea, Oceanea, Seabourn, Crystal, etc. Some of them go to Libya, and may have information.

If you're fluent in a foreign language, try web sites in those languages, particularly French, German, and Italian.

Do a search on Google, or your favorite web browser.

Good luck!

Libya has been unfriendly to the U.S. for a long time. Inclusion in the Marine anthem "("From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli") is no accident. The Barbary wars, with a landing in Tripoli, Libya, were the U.S.'s first foreign land wars, and the Tripoli landing was one of the first uses of the newly formed U.S. Marines.

[GottaCruz]

Welcome aboard, Downwind. Glad that you found us.

[jsme]

Hi Downwind this is a great place to be.

[cruisinmama]

Welcome and I enjoyed your review.I've never been on Hal maybe one day..Thanks for sharing your review, Please come back and share the details after your Cruise in Sept.

[Shari2]

It sounds like Joan and Joe have some great advice. Welcome aboard, Downwind!!! Hope your cruise is great!

[DaCruzNut]

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Glad you found us! Hope to see you here often...

[Shari2]

Just read your review, Downwind. It was very well written! Thanks for sharing with us!

[hazelson]

Hey and Welcome to Crazies

[Joanandjoe]

Here are a few Tripoli links (but we're sure you can find more):

http://www.galenfrysinger.com/tripoli_libya.htm

[url=http://www.jorgetutor.com/libia/tripoli/tripoli.htm]http://www.jorgetutor.com/libia/tripoli/tripoli.htm

[url=http://www.africatravelling.net/]http://www.africatravelling.net/

http://www.hollandamerica.com/dest/port.do...Code=TIP&dest=E

[url=http://patchance.com/tripoli.htm]http://patchance.com/tripoli.htm

[url=http://oasis.fortunecity.com/labreya/9/felib10.htm]http://oasis.fortunecity.com/labreya/9/felib10.htm

[url=http://www.tripoli.info/]http://www.tripoli.info/ The official city web site is in Arabic, except for one line: Boycott Israeli goods! Really friendly, eh!

Good luck with your trip! The HAL site above presumably shows you the three tours likely to be offered on the Rotterdam: Leptis Magna, Tripoli City tour, and Sabratha. Based on our wonderful, but slightly scary and unreal experiences in Tangier, Morocco, we suggest that you take a tour in North Africa, rather than doing things on your own, unless you are very intrepid and secure, and don't mind being bothered by beggars, street salesmen, street photographers, etc.