Haifa (Tel Aviv-Nazareth, Israel)

Port Haifa is Israel's main seaport (cargo port and cruise port) located on Israel's Mediterranean coast and along the north side of Mt Carmel. Depending on cruise company, both Port Ashdod and Port Haifa are used as cruise ports to Tel Aviv-Yafo (Israel's second-largest city) and Jerusalem (Israel's capital).

Haifa is approx 90 km (57 mi to the north) from Tel Aviv and approx 150 km (90 mi to the southeast) from Jerusalem. The driving distance from Haifa to Jerusalem is 2 hours, to Tel Aviv - 1 hour. Tel Aviv is easily accessible from the railway station located near Haifa Cruise Terminal (train travel time is 40-60 min).

The old Haifa Port (called Western Port) was built in 1933 as Palestine's first modern harbor waterway. However, it blocked the city from the waterfront. Its wharves are narrow and outdated. New wharves for latest generation cargo vessels are planned for the new Eastern Port. There is a proposal for constructing a new Haifa Waterfront area. The development project transformed part of the port into a large public complex.

This city is ancient and special in its own right, with a famous fortress. In antiquity, it was known under the names "Sycaminum" and "Caiphas" (during the Christian Crusades in the 11th-12th centuries). In the 12th century, a castle built on the site by Crusaders was destroyed by Saladin, sultan of Syria and Egypt.

Haifa is also the cruise port to Nazareth (approx 45 km / 28 mi to the east, or ~40 min drive distance). In Nazareth, tourists visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, the Church of St Joseph (the site of Joseph's carpentry shop) and St Mary's Well.

The city is also close to the Galilee Sea (aka Lake Tiberias/Kinneret/Kinnereth) - a freshwater lake encircled by a beautiful beach. In the past, the vicinity of the lake was well populated as some of Asia Minor's trade routes converged at the lake - a total of 9 cities flourished on its shores. The lake was also a center of an extensive fishing industry.

From Haifa, it is also possible to visit Jerusalem City - sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims alike. Most cruise ship passengers don't stay in Haifa, but instead book tours in Jerusalem or Bethlehem (up to 3-hour travel time). From Haifa start tours to Galilee, Acre, Nazareth, Caesarea. Due to the popularity of all these "Holy Land" travel destinations, many cruise liners stay in port overnight.

For season 2018, the cruise port had scheduled 34 ship calls with around 25,000 passengers. The port's record year was 2012 when it handled a total of 118 ship calls and approx 170,000 passengers. For season 2019, the port had scheduled 46 calls with around 60,000 passengers.

In Haifa is homeported the Mano Cruises ship Golden Iris. Departures are offered in the period March through November, with ~60 turnarounds (roundtrips) and approx 50,000 passengers annually.

Haifa cruise terminal