Cruise lines stop Syria, Libya ports due to violence

 

Cruise lines are revising their Fall itineraries as disturbances in the Middle East continues.

 

P&O Cruises has scrapped three calls to Tripoli in Libya, although a statement from the line said it will revisit the possible Libya stops if the situation improves.

 

For now, though, a scheduled call by Adonia on Dec. 31 has been replaced with a stop in La Goulette, Tunisia. Oriana's Tripoli stop on its world cruise has been substituted with Naples and Malta, while Alexandria replaces Tripoli on Oceana's 24-night cruise to Israel and Egypt in March 2012.

 

The British Foreign Office is stating that all British nationals should leave the country of Syria while they still can, and advising against all travel to the whole of Syria. Cruise Lines that have been keeping an eye on the situation in Syria are reluctantly pulling out as the violence there worsens, issuing new itineraries for cruises later this year.

 

Voyages to Antiquity (a cruise line with offices in Fort Lauderdale, FL) has merged its last three cruises of the season into two. On its Nov. 8 departure, the line has replaced visits to Tartous and Latakia in Syria with an extended spell in the Red Sea, during which passengers will spend two days exploring Israel from Eilat. The final cruise of the 2011 season, rescheduled from Nov. 26 to Nov. 19, now includes two nights in Amman, Jordan, and an overnight at a five-star hotel in Petra instead of a stop in Tripoli.

 

Noble Caledonia (A specialty Cruise Line) has issued a new brochure for three autumn cruises changes. A decision has already been made not to visit Syria in 2012.

 

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has replaced Tartous with an extra night in Aqaba, Jordan, on Seven Seas Voyager's Oct. 29 Istanbul to Luxor cruise.

 

Compagnie du Ponant (Yacht Cruises) has scrapped Tartous and Latakia on its Athens to Aqaba cruise on Le Diamant on Oct. 12 and replaced them with Patmos in Greece and Alexandria, Egypt.