While Egypt continues to experience civil unrest, cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Lines have altered their upcoming itineraries to avoid the ports of Egypt. Even though the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) updated their Travel Summary advice on February 11, 2011 advising against all but essential travel to Egypt, a few cruise lines still haven't been so quick to cancel their spring and summer cruises to Egypt.
Royal Caribbean Cancels Cruise Ports in Egypt
On February 9, 2011, Royal Caribbean posted an update on their website for those already booked on European cruises to Egypt this spring. The update states, "In an abundance of caution, we have decided to cancel our upcoming port calls to Egypt through June." The two Royal Caribbean cruise ships that were scheduled to cruise to Egypt are the Mariner of the Seas and the Brilliance of the Seas.
The Mariner of the Seas' upcoming cruises that depart Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy on April 18, May 11, June 4, and June 28, 2011 will all have revised itineraries. Instead of the port call on Alexandria, the ship will now stop at Istanbul, Turkey and stay overnight.
Alternatively, the Brilliance of the Seas departs Dubai, United Arab Emirates on April 21, 2011 bound for Barcelona, Spain. The 16-night Suez Canal cruise will sail a modified itinerary that will include the ports of Abu Dhabi (UAE), Fujairah (UAE), Muscat (Oman), Civitavecchia (Italy) Livorno (Italy) and nine sea days. Currently this cruise is offered for $799 pp through the Royal Caribbean website.
Additionally Azamara Club Cruises' Azamara Quest will alter its Egypt cruise itineraries as well. Quest's 12-Night Dubai to Athens cruise departing April 24 along with two other Holy Land voyages in May will avoid the port of Alexandria.
More Cruise Lines Cancel Cruise Ports in Egypt
On February 7, 2011, Norwegian Cruise Line cancelled the Norwegian Jade's next two scheduled stops at Alexandria, Egypt. Norwegian Jade's 12-Day Eastern Mediterranean cruises that depart Barcelona, Spain on both February 13, 2011 and March 6, 2011 will not stop in Egypt.
Instead, the Jade will stop in Istanbul, Turkey and stay overnight. As of today, February 11, 2011, NCL has not yet cancelled calls on Egypt on cruises past March 6, 2011. Therefore, roundtrip Barcelona cruises departing on March 27, April 8, April 27 and other future dates are still scheduled to stop at Alexandria until further notice.
Will Other Cruise Lines Cancel Egypt Ports of Call?
Cruise lines such as Princess Cruises and Holland America Line have not yet made an official statement as to cancel their Egypt ports of call for Europe 2011 cruises. Holland America Line's Amsterdam departs Dubai (UAE) on March 25, 2011 and is expected to make three calls in Egypt including a stop at Alexandria on April 6, 2011.
Princess Cruises offers Europe cruises to Egypt on the Pacific Princess. A 12-day Rome to Athens cruise departing on May 7, 2011 features a stop in both Port Said and in Alexandria. The cruise operates in reverse when it departs on May 19, 2011 from Athens, Greece.
While the U.S. Department of State continues to recommend that U.S. citizens avoid travel to Egypt at this time, cruise lines modify itineraries for the safety of their passengers and crew as needed.
Renee Ruggero - Renee is a published travel writer and cruise industry insider with more than 1,000 days on cruise ships, visiting over 50 countries.
