Can't Cruise Like a Norwegian in Tunisia

Future Port Calls to Tunisia CANCELLED

Norwegian Cruise Line began contacting their travel partners today to inform them that all future calls to Tunisia have been cancelled.

This action is in response to an incident that occurred this past weekend when Norwegian Jade called in the Tunis’ Port of La Goulette.  About 20 Israeli nationals and one American, who had a stamp in their passport for Israel, were not allowed to disembark the ship when it docked in Tunisia.   According to reports in the foreign press and travel industry news, there was no reason provided by the government for this action.

Travel Pulse reports that Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s CEO, condemned the “discriminatory act,” saying, “We are outraged by this act and the fact that we were not notified in advance of this practice. We apologize sincerely to our guests who were affected and want them to know that we have taken the appropriate action in response.”

The impacted passengers met with the Captain, but he was not able to provide them with a solution, so they had to remain on board the ship.  There was no mention of any reimbursement for this change in plans.

At press time, there hasn't been a response from the Tunisian government and the port calls have been replaced by a sea day.   We will provide updates in this developing story as information becomes available.

Cruises Impacted by Protests

Egyptian Sphinx - Courtesy Azamara Club Cruises

Middle East Protests

Impact Cruises

Once again cruises to Egypt and Tunisia are being rerouted to avoid any potential security risks to passengers, ships, and crew.

A wave of anti-American unrest swept through the Middle East on the 11th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attack.  Uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia were sparked by the inflammatory anti-Muslim video, and there was further unrest Thursday outside the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, where protesters had scaled the walls Tuesday.

The fatal attack on the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Chris Stevens, and three other Americans has prompted the deployment of two warships to the area.

Cruise lines are closely monitoring the situation and two changes have already been announced. We will update this article with additional details as they become available.  Consult with the individual cruise lines if you are traveling to this region.

Latest Changes

Silversea has cancelled Silver Cloud's September 30 visit to Tunis, Tunisia, replacing it with a stop at Gozo Island in the Maltese archipelago.

Oceania's Marina will no longer visit Alexandria on October 3 or Part Said on October 4. Instead the ship will add Antalya, Turkey and spend an extra day in Ashdod, Israel on October 4. 


Azamara Club Cruises

Azamara Quest's scheduled stop in La Goulette (Carthage), Tunisia on October 31 wil be replaced with a full-day visit to Minorca in the Balearic Islands on November 1.

Royal Caribbean Important Announcements

Protests in Egypt September 20, 2012 Royal Caribbean International continues to closely monitor the situation in Egypt. At this time, Royal Caribbean has not changed the itinerary of any upcoming sailing that includes a port call to Egypt. We will continue to closely monitor the situation in Egypt and will contact guests or their travel agents should we make any modifications to upcoming itineraries. The safety and security, of our guests and crew members is always foremost in our minds.

Protests in Egypt
September 13, 2012

Royal Caribbean International is closely monitoring the protests currently taking place in Egypt.

In an abundance of caution, we have decided to cancel Mariner of the Seas’ next port call to Egypt. Mariner of the Seas, which departs Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, on Saturday, September 15, will no longer call on Alexandria, Egypt, on Tuesday, September 18. Instead, the ship will now call to Sicily (Messina), Italy, on Sunday, September 16, and Valletta, Malta, on Monday, September 17.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation in Egypt and will contact guests or their travel agents should we make additional modifications to upcoming itineraries.

Holland America Line

Holland America's Ryndam, which was scheduled to dock September 14 in La Goulette (Carthage), Tunisia, will visit Sardinia, Italy, instead. 

Cunard Line

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth will skip its scheduled September 15 call in Alexandria and replace it with a visit to Rhodes on September 16.

Celebrity Cruises

Protests in Egypt

September 20, 2012
Celebrity Cruises continues to closely monitor the protests currently taking place in Egypt. At this time, Celebrity Cruises has not cancelled any port calls to Egypt. We will continue to closely monitor the changing situation in Egypt and will contact guests or their travel agents should we make any modifications to upcoming itineraries.
September 13, 2012
Celebrity Cruises is closely monitoring the protests currently taking place in Egypt. At this time, Celebrity Cruises has not cancelled any port calls to Egypt. We will continue to closely monitor the changing situation in Egypt and will contact guests or their travel agents should we make any modifications to upcoming itineraries.

Travel Warnings & Alerts

U.S. State Department has not issued any Travel Warnings or Alerts, but the embassies in seven countries advised Americans to be vigilant. U.S. embassies in Armenia, Burundi, Kuwait, Sudan, Tunisia, Zambia and Egypt, posted the notices but don't report any specific threat.

Useful Links:

U.S. Department of State - International Travel

Tips for Traveling Abroad 

Travel Warnings, Country Specific Information & Travel Alerts

When traveling in a foreign country, it is wise to know about the location of U.S. Embassies

U.S. Embassies (Websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions)
State Department's travel registration website - register travel  with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate

State Department’s Country Specific Information 

SeaDream II Skips Tunisia

SeaDream II Aerial View

Travel Summary for Tunisia (click for latest update)
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth office modified the advise against all but essential travel to Tunisia.   Despite the change, cruise lines are still being cautious and have modified itineraries.


Joining Costa Cruises and Disney Cruise Line, SeaDream Yacht Cruises has made the following statement:


Due to unrest in Tunisia, SeaDream Yacht Club has revised the itinerary for SeaDream II voyage # 21120 sailing May 18 - 28, 2011 from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy roundtrip. The port of La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia has been replaced with Xlendi, Gozo Island, Malta.

SeaDream’s President, Bob Lepisto said “Based upon the tension in Tunisia, we feel the safety and security there remains uncertain. For that reason, we have elected not to call on the port of La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia. Instead, we’ve chosen to call on the peaceful island of Gozo. It has some of the Mediterranean’s best dive sites and I think our guests will find this port highly enjoyable.” 

SeaDream's yachts drop anchor and stay overnight at destinations including the Eastern Caribbean, The Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Amazon.

Related Post:

Cruise With Christine Pappin: Unrest in Tunisia Prompts Cruise Changes

Unrest in Tunisia Prompts Cruise Changes

 

Costa Magica Location courtesy of Costa Cruises / Google Maps

Updated March 10, 2011     Travel Alert  Tunisia 

A travel alert remains in effect for Tunisia, due to the ongoing social and political unrest. Unrest has diminished and public order has returned in many areas; however, spontaneous and unpredictable events, such as work stoppages and demonstrations, have recently occurred. (click link above for US Dept State alert)

Costa Cruises drops Tunisia, Egypt, Israel for rest of year due to unrest in region 

On Mediterranean 7-day cruises including a one day call at Tunis (Tunisia), this call has been replaced by a one day call at Palma de Mallorca (Spain) Malta or Cagliari (Italy).
 

Update: February 14, 2011

Additional cruise cancellations have been made by MSC Cruises.  The following ships are affected: 

• MSC Fantasia from the 16th of April to the 15th of October 2011 
• MSC Splendida from the 10th April to the 06th of November 2011 
• MSC Lirica from the 18th of April to the 07th of October 
• MSC Sinfonia from the 04th of June to the 15th of October 

In case that the situation gets back to normal, the original itinerary will be respected and the call at Tunis will be operated as usual. Updates will  be posted on MSC's website.

Related Blog Post:
SeaDream II Skips Tunisia


Costa Magica Skips Tunisia

Costa Magica's scheduled port of call to Tunis on Monday was cancelled and replaced with Ajaccio due to the political unrest in Tunisia.  Fortunately this is low season for Europe cruises so this is the only impacted cruise ship.    There were several cruises scheduled to call in Tunis over the next few weeks.   Passengers will be informed of additional changes.

Travel Warning for Tunisia

The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens about the current political and social unrest in Tunisia and recommends deferring non-essential travel to Tunisia at this time. A state of emergency was declared in Tunisia on January 14.

The civil unrest has recently spread to Tunis and all major cities, including popular tourist destinations. These spontaneous and unpredictable events have degenerated on several occasions into violent clashes between police and protesters, resulting in multiple deaths, injuries, and extensive property damage.

Travel Summary for Tunisia
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth office advise against all but essential travel to Tunisia. 

A State of Emergency was declared on the afternoon of 14 January under which it is illegal for more than two people to congregate in a public place, including in cars. Parliamentary Speaker Foued Mbazaa has taken over as interim president. It was announced on 17 January that a Government of National Unity had been formed.

The situation overnight (18-19January) in Tunisia was quieter but incidents of violence and looting are still possible. There were further demonstrations in a number of cities across the country yesterday and these are expected to continue today (19 January). The risk of sporadic violence and looting remains.

Consult either the UK or US sites for additional information.

Travel advice by country (UK)
Country Specific Information for Tunisia (US)