Checked in at Port Said on 29th June late afternoon. We got guided into the Yacht Club which is the dirtiest place to berth I ever saw in my entire life. I got longside berthed at the N wall. Dont stay at the S wall. The swell created by passing boats is smashing your boat against the wall.
I had a Crew of 6 and we decided to get a Visa (which was a fatal mistake). Also due to the fact that we arrived on national holiday, all processes was delayed and as the cost for some authorities are doubled on Friday-Saturday, we decided to wait and go into the Channel on Sunday morning.
We had to wait on the boat until we got picked up for the Visa which happend on Friday morning around 10.AM
Then we cam back around lunch time and had to wait on the boat all day for inspections by health office and Coast Guard, which happend at 09.00PM at night. Friday gone.
Saturday morning used for some Grocerie shopping, then back to the boat at 12.00AM waiting to get measured to get the Channel cost. Measurement was done at 4PM, then we had to wait for the agent to come with the final bill at 8PM evening. Saturday gone.
Then the biggest surprise. The overall cost which has been initially quoted at around 750,- USD increased to a total amount of 1450,- USD to be paid in Cash. No cards accepted. The channel rate increased from 450,- USD to 630,- USD with the explanation, that now the authority charge based on displacement instead of measured volume (wondering why we got measured and the measurement guy even provided the volume calculation formula to me). Port cost doubled as all major cost provided in the agents quotation suddenly changed into daily cost.
So in summary: be very careful in choosing your agent and get a written and signed quotation including all related cost. At arrival, get this signed quote re-confirmed with the agent.
Be prepared that all day long you will be approached by people from everywhere asking for ‘backshish’ drinks, T-shirts, cigarretts and whatever else they can use.