Cruise Lines Update: Diverting from Israel Amid Ongoing Conflict

Wondering about your cruise that stops in Israel? As this is an ongoing issue, things are likely to change, and then change again, but as of right now, here’s the latest…

The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas has had a significant impact on various sectors, including the travel industry.

Cruise lines are no exception to this. In a noteworthy move, several major cruise lines have canceled upcoming calls to the Israeli ports of Ashdod and Haifa.

Cruise Lines Taking Action

Over the past couple of days, a host of cruise lines including Holland America, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and Celestyal Cruises have canceled their scheduled stops at Ashdod and Haifa for the current week and, in some cases, even for the following weeks.

Celestyal Cruises: A Case in Point

Celestyal Cruises, renowned for its Eastern Mediterranean routes, has gone ahead and canceled all its scheduled stops in Israel through to the end of November. Chris Theophilides, the CEO of Celestyal Cruises, emphasized that the decision was made in consultation with relevant authorities and internal teams, underscoring the safety and security of passengers as their utmost priority.

The Ripple Effect on Itineraries

It’s not just Israel that is affected by these changes; the ripple effect extends to other nearby destinations. For instance, Celebrity Cruises had also canceled a two-day visit to Alexandria, Egypt, highlighting that Egypt’s stops are often paired with Israel on Eastern Mediterranean sailings. With cruise lines pulling out from Israel, it is likely that more Egypt calls may be canceled as well.

Immediate Actions by Cruise Lines

• Holland America, which had its ship docked in Haifa when the fighting erupted, swiftly recalled passengers from ongoing tours and headed out to sea, skipping its subsequent call at Ashdod.
• MSC Cruises, Europe’s biggest cruise line, canceled its Israel calls for the next two weeks, affecting multiple schedules for its vessels MSC Musica and MSC Sinfonia.
• Norwegian Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas altered their itineraries to avoid calls at Ashdod and Haifa for their respective vessels, Norwegian Gem and Seven Seas Voyager.

What This Means for Travelers

Travelers who had Israel as a destination in their cruise itineraries are mostly being offered additional sea days or alternative stops in Greece or Turkey. Cruise lines are generally reaching out to affected passengers directly to inform them of itinerary changes and to discuss options.

What can you do?

Nothing. I always tell my cruise clients that ports are never guaranteed and can change at any moment. When cruising, always go with the flow, and try to make the most out of your vacation, even if you miss a port. Remember, a day on a cruise is still better than a day at work!

If you are very fearful or do not want to go on your sailing at this time, check with your travel advisor or cruise line. You can often change itineraries or dates with less of a penalty than canceling altogether.

I always recommend a good travel insurance policy that contains both medical care and “Cancel for any reason” coverage.

You can compare multiple policies and choose one that meets your budget below ⤵️

Conclusion

The ongoing geopolitical events serve as a reminder of the ever-changing landscape of travel and tourism. It is always crucial to stay updated on the latest news and developments, especially when it pertains to safety and security.

Cruise lines have shown agility and responsibility in adapting to these changes, prioritizing the welfare of their passengers above all else.