Reuters on Monday reported more than 1,110 people killed in the conflict that broke out Saturday after Hamas and Islamic Jihad launched rockets from Gaza as armed militants broke down the barriers surrounding the strip to enter Israel, shooting and taking hostages. Israel responded with air strikes and deployed thousands of soldiers around Gaza.
‘We just finished debarking 2,200 Israelis from Rhapsody of the Seas,’ said Zohar Rom, head of cruise and tourism, Port of Haifa. ' ... Cruise calls for the coming week were canceled.’
Revised itineraries
Updates: Celebrity Apex skipped Haifa on Sunday and Ashdod on Monday. The ship's next cruise will be rerouted, as well.
Celestyal is temporarily suspending all calls to Israel until the end of November, and will be monitoring the situation for any itineraries departing after this date. The decision impacts six of its seven-night 'Three Continents' cruises and the line will contact affected customers and travel agents directly in the coming days.
Holland America Line's Nieuw Statendam dropped its call to Ashdod Monday. This was HAL's last visit to Israel this year, a company spokesman said. Alanya, Turkey was substituted for Ashdod. The ship will keep its planned stop at Limassol, Cyprus on Tuesday but arrive an hour earlier, and on Wednesday will arrive two hours earlier than scheduled to Rhodes to give more time there.
The HAL spokesman said 2024's Israel calls are under review.
MSC Musica's Oct. 12 call to Haifa is canceled. The ship will now sail to Limassol on Oct. 10 and, as such, its stop at Kusadasi, Turkey is also canceled. MSC Musica will then visit Antalya Oct. 12 and continue on its planned itinerary.
MSC Musica's Haifa calls on Oct. 18 and 25 will be replaced by Rhodes and on Nov. 1 by Marmaris, Turkey.
MSC Sinfona's Oct. 16 stop at Haifa will be replaced by Bodrum, Turkey.
MSC Cruises said future Israel calls are being reviewed, and passengers will be updated.
Oceania Cruises' Nautica departed Israel a day ahead of schedule; the line said all guests and crew were accounted for and safe and sound.
Sirena's Oct. 14 cruise had three days scheduled in Israel; instead, the ship will be at sea Oct. 17 and call at Santorini (Oct. 18), Heraklion (Oct. 19) and Mykonos (Oct. 20).
Marina's Nov. 1 sailing has two days in Israel. Oceania Cruises said it is in the process of reviewing itinerary options.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises replaced Israel calls on Seven Seas Voyager's Oct. 3. and Oct. 15 itineraries. On the current cruise, instead of visiting Haifa Oct. 14 and 15, the ship will go to Istanbul, where the trip will end Oct. 15.
For the Oct. 15 departure, Seven Seas Voyager will drop Ashdod on Oct. 16 and 17 and sail directly to Egypt, arriving Oct. 18.
Azamara, due to call at Haifa in a couple of weeks’ time, is also revising its itineraries. 'Due to the current Israel and Gaza Strip conflict, we will not be calling ports in Israel as originally planned,' stated the cruise line. 'These changes will affect the October 17 Israel Intensive Voyage and October 27 Ancient Trade Routes Voyage onboard Azamara Journey, and the October 23 Ancient Civilizations sailing on Azamara Pursuit.
'Our top priority is the safety and security of our crew and guests. In an effort to accommodate guests booked on impacted sailings, we will provide alternative ports of call, where applicable.'
A Windstar Cruises spokesperson said her line is assessing its options.
Record cruise numbers were forecast
Homeporting operations in Israel were on the increase with several lines committing ships this season including Costa Cruises, Mano Maritime, MSC Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean International, Oceania Cruises, Seabourn and Windstar.
Both Haifa and Ashdod were forecasting record seasons, with some 700,000 cruisers expected in Haifa this year.
Haifa is developing what will be Israel's first dedicated cruise terminal, a complex expected to be operational by 2027 to serve the port's 760-meter berth that is already in service and capable of handling the largest cruise ships.
Eastern Mediterranean impact
Ioannis Bras, CEO, Five Senses Consulting & Development, expressed sadness over the situation and sympathy for those who've lost loved ones.
‘For now, itineraries are adjusting locally within the wider East Med area due to the current situation. If the conflict persists or escalates, there could be potential shifts in planning for next year's sailings, and the wider Eastern Mediterranean region might also feel the impact. However, it's too soon to determine the long-term implications for future itineraries.'
Bras assured the industry will find ways to adapt and continue offering safe vacations amidst shifting circumstances.
‘Though the entire Eastern Mediterranean can support cruise activities as it is a vast area, our primary focus, thoughts and minds are currently with the people of Israel, wishing for safety and a rapid return to peace,' said Bras, a Seatrade ambassador with more than 24 years of industry experience.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited.
Add Seatrade Cruise News to your Google News feed.  |
