Bahrain Protests Spark Cruise Changes

Bahrain - Photo Courtesy Costa Cruises

More Cruise Modifications

Caused by Protests

Updated:  May 7, 2011

The U.S. State Department still has an alert on travel to Tunisia despite some stabilization of the unrest. It warns that  work stoppages and demonstrations could prove bothersome or dangerous for tourists.

Meanwhile, two cruise lines recently made calls in Tunis -  Holland America's Eurodam and AIDA's AIDAbella were greeted by the locals with festive music and roses.   The remaining cruise lines have not altered their original plans of skipping Tunisia ports this season.

 

Updated:  March 2011 Itineraries

Costa Cruises changes “Jewels of the Emirates " itinerary Costa Deliziosa and Costa Luminosa
Due to the critical situation in Bahrain, Costa Cruises informs you that the itinerary "Jewels of the Emirates" has been modified to exclude the call in Bahrain City. Will be included an additional night/day in Muscat, Oman.

Costa Deliziosa - cruise sailing March 6 - 13 - 20, 2011 - New itinerary

Costa Deliziosa - cruise sailing March 27, 2011 - New itinerary

Costa Luminosa - cruise sailing March 7 - 14, 2011 - New itinerary 

Costa Cruises considers the safety of its Guests and crew members as a key priority and it is constantly in contact with the local and international authorities

Bahrain joins Egypt and Tunisia as countries of political unrest.  The violent uprising has prompted government response and cruise line reaction.

Tanks roamed the streets in Bahrain as the government cracked down on anti-government protesters.  Public gatherings were banned Thursday as violence escalated.  Five protesters were killed and hundreds wounded during the rioting.

Violence prompted Costa Cruises to alter cruises on two ships in the area.   Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa  are currently sailing Middle East cruises out of Dubai and will sail modified itineraries this week. Planned calls to Bahrain City will be replaced by an extra day in Dubai.  Further modifications are expected for next week's sailings, but details were not currently released.

U.S. Comments on Protests in Bahrain
The United States is very concerned by recent violence surrounding protests in Bahrain. (click title for U.S. Embassy statement)

Useful Links

• Tips for Traveling Abroad 
• Travel Warnings, Country Specific Information & Travel Alerts
• U.S. Embassy - Bahrain
• Country Specific Information - Bahrain

The Sunset of 2009

A year ago we closed our eyes together, remembering our favorite sunset as the year faded away. Together we hoped that there would be brighter tomorrows as we were filled with concerns about the recession.

Close your eyes once again and picture the warm calming glow of the sun as it dips behind the palm trees. The artist completes the final brush strokes on the canvas of 2009 today as this difficult year draws to a close.

The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow ...

"The sun'll come out Tomorrow Bet your bottom dollar That tomorrow There'll be sun!" Pehaps these words from the popular musical "ANNIE" were the inspiration for the cruise lines to continue with shipbuilding projects despite the down economy.

2009 saw the introduction of several new cruise ships including Aida Cruises AIDALuna, AMAWaterways MS Amalyra and MS Amadolce, Carnival Cruises Carnival Dream, Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Equinox, Costa Cruises Costa Pacifica and Costa Luminosa, MSC Cruises MSC Splendida, Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas, Seabourn Cruises Seabourn Odyssey, Silversea Cruises Silver Spirit, and Viking River Cruises Vilking Legend.

The top attention getter among these ships was Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas (shown here arriving in its home port of Fort Lauderdale). At 220,000 gross tons, it is the largest ship afloat for any cruise line. Many of the other ships introduced were also the largest ship amongst their respective fleets. Silversea Cruises Silver Spirit is the smallest cruise ship introduced this year, weighing in at just 36,000 gross tons, (do the math - that's 1/6th the size of Oasis) but it is still the largest in the fleet. Is bigger better? Time will tell.

For more information about these new ships, see the Ships & Itineraries tab for the respective cruise line on my website.

Passengers are Sailing Again...

It looks like the cruise line's bets have paid off. Passengers are saling once again and 2009 saw a dramatic increase in first-time cruisers. The secret is out - cruising is a good value. As I've mentioned before, you don't want to wait to book your next cruise. Cruise line executives have told me that prices will be rising. When you see a good deal that interests you, lock it in with a deposit - you have until final payment to change your mind.

Making Memories ...

Cruise vacations make memories that will last a lifetime. Once again I was fortunate to create some new memories and share them with you. One of the highlights of this year's cruises was our Tulip Time Cruise on AMA Waterways Amalegro. Colorful tulips danced in the wind like ballet dancers on stage. What could be better than a Belgian Waffle topped with fresh strawberries and Belgian Chocolate? My mouth waters as I think about the good eats from our river cruise.

What Lies Ahead in 2010...

Several more cruise ships will be introduced in 2010 including Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas and Norwegian EPIC which will be the attention getters due to their size and innovations. I will continue to bring you the very latest cruise industry information drawing upon various resources such as seminars at sea, personal cruises, and other conferences with industry leaders. It appears that we may have seen the worst of the economic situation and recovery will begin. That could bring the reintroduction of fuel surcharges as prices increase. The sun will come out tomorrow - so get out in the sun and have some fun on a cruise ship.

Let us close the book on this historic year together. Tomorrow, when you awake, open the book on what I hope will be a brighter tomorrow. Happy, Healthy, Propserous New Year to all!!