Thanks for the prices and update FW - 9 hours does sound like a world record!

Are we to understand they let you out of the port gates without an escort?
That would be a turn up for the books (but could add up to another 9 hours finding your way out of Alger...)

Ch

I am visiting friends in Algeria so got my visa with a private invitation. Still, there were no questions like 'where is your friend' or 'is he meeting you at the port'. The only question was where I was going to stay. I gave my friends' address and that was it.

Not sure if it works the same with an organised tour. For me it was the same thing on a previous visit when we crossed from Tunisia at Tabarka. No questions about the guides.

This time I managed to get down as far as In Salah before anyone asked for a guide. They wouldn't let me pass without one there, so I had to organise a local one.

It was exactly 9 hours and 20 minutes between the docking and my sortie out of the port gate. And I wasn't the last one in the queue.

Formalities. The guy on the other side of the counter needs to follow procedure to keep his job, so help him out.

Applying for Visa in Sweden, the Algerian embassy asked for an adress. We made reservations online for hotel in Algiers (there were only three hotels in the country you could book online at the time). We had to make individual reservations.
We printed these out and showed at the embassy. and he gave us the visas.

We then presented the same reservations when we entered the country at Bou Chebka.
The friendly border guys asked where we were going and we talked about making a tour (but didn't mention Djanet ;)), and they let us in without asking for a guide.
We cancelled our hotel reservations next time we were online in Tebessah and were on our way.

This was last May. We drove without a guide as far as Illizi.

I believe the Visa procedure may be tighter in London (or not?). And Taleb Larbi border guards more stringent (so why go there).

Now for next trip we will be met at the border by touareg friends. It will be even better. More relaxed. More laughter. Better tea. ;)

Edit: added smiley

Strikes in MArseille
 

About SNCM ferries and Marseille's harbor don't forget taht they are VERY WELL known in France about their regular and unprdictable strikes.
The last one on October 10th : all passengers were derouted to Genova (I was in Genova at that time waiting the CTN ferry (no strikes with this company) but only if there is enough space....
I NEVER want to use this port or this company: not reliable.
But if you want to go to Algiers there is no second solution except Sete-Oran (if it works).
RR;

Catching this ferry back to Marseilles there was the usual delay at the customs. All luggage out of the car for inspection, then drive to the scanner, then back to the customs, then pick up some stupid papers, then load your bags back, smile through your teeth all the time and say nice things to the damn slow and clueless chaps in uniforms. The most pointless was the final check before getting on the boat - some uniformed officials stop you to make sure once again that you have actually stamped your passport a few minutes ago and cleared your car at the customs. The fella studied my passport for over a minute including visas for some other countries from the past years, then asked me for my 'piece d'identite'. I said 'you're holding it' - he looked once again blankly at my passport, gave it back it to me and finally let me go. The boat was 4 hours late for departure because of this one final check of every vehicle.