Here is the description of the abaya and the requirement to wear it from the Silversea website:
"Ladies reserving tour JED-A Jeddah Past & Present must also pre-order an abaya, a light weight black cloak, on our website at
www.silversea.com, by the deadline as listed above. Please select the appropriate size for you. Abayas will be delivered onboard the ship only to those guests who have placed their order before the published deadline. Abaya orders are non-refundable, and will be billed to your shipboard account. Measurements are from the shoulder to the ankle.
"Your abaya will be given to you by the Tour Office after arrival in Jeddah, just prior to your tour’s departure. It is yours to keep, as a souvenir of your visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
"We suggest you bring a head scarf with you to accompany the abaya. Although non-Muslim women are not required to wear a head scarf, it is highly recommended, especially if you have blond/light hair.
"The dress code in Saudi Arabia is strictly enforced by the religious police and violations can result in police detainment."
It seems that there is no requirement for a veil, Wendy; but it looks like the blond sistahs may have to wear headscarfs. Lordie, (pun intended), the idea of dress codes being enforced by the "religious police" is certainly a bit of culture shock, no??
It appears that the only dress code for male tourists is not to wear shorts or muscle shirts without sleeves. Rats, I was going to use the dress code as an excuse to buy a Lawrence of Arabia outfit.
