Tag Archives: turkey

MSC Cruises the latest line to drop Turkey port calls

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MSC Cruises said that it is substituting calls in Greece for planned stops in Istanbul and Izmir on its cruises this spring and summer because of “growing concerns by guests as a result of the recent tragic events in Istanbul.”

The decision impacts the MSC Magnifica, which will be based in Venice starting March 26 and was scheduled to call in Turkey beginning March 29.

Those calls will be replaced by calls in Athens and Mykonos. MSC said calls to Turkey are suspended “until further notice.”

Previously, Crystal Cruises announced it would forgo stops in Turkey on two of its cruises this spring.

The moves follow a Jan. 12, a suicide bombing in Istanbul that killed 10 people, mostly German tourists.

Last summer, after an attack on the U.S. consulate in Istanbul, Celebrity and Costa canceled calls in Turkey.

Crystal replaces Turkey port calls on two cruises

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Crystal Cruise
Crystal Cruises said it would substitute Greek ports for Turkish ones on two upcoming cruises “in response to ongoing security concerns for travel within Istanbul.”

Revised itineraries for the Crystal Symphony’s April 24 and May 1 voyages will drop calls at Istanbul and Kusadasi.

The April 24 voyage will substitute Souda Bay/Chania (Crete), Hydra, and overnights in Nafplio and Athens/Piraeus, while the May 1 cruise will include Patmos, Rhodes and an overnight in Athens/Piraeus.

Crystal also said that pre-reserved Crystal Adventures in Turkey will automatically be canceled, while the line is in the process of developing new shore excursions.

On Jan. 12, a suicide bomb killed 10 people in Istanbul, mostly German tourists. Before that incident occurred, Disney removed Greece and Turkey calls from a summer 2016 cruise. Last summer, after an attack on the U.S. consulate in Istanbul, Celebrity and Costa canceled calls in Turkey.

Disney revises Mediterranean voyage

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Disney Cruise Line altered a Mediterranean cruise next summer to eliminate port calls in Greece, Turkey and Malta.

The 12-night cruise on the Disney Magic is scheduled to depart Barcelona on Aug. 1.  Its original itinerary included Athens as well as Mykonos in Greece, Kusadasi in Turkey and Valletta in Malta.

Other cruise lines have scrapped calls to the Greek island of Lesbos because of the refugee crisis and Turkey because of security concerns.

Disney has revised the itinerary almost completely, leaving only one port, Civitavecchia, from the original lineup. The cruise will now call in Olbia, Sardinia; Civitavecchia, Naples and Livorno, Italy; Palermo, Sicily; Villefranche-sur-Mer and Cannes, France; and Palma de Mallorca.

In a letter to travel agents, Disney said, “We realize this is a considerable change from the previously published itinerary and hope you and your client understand our desire to only provide the best possible experiences to our guests.”

Customers have been given a choice of a refund, a change of sailings, or a $1,000 onboard credit if they stick with their original booking.