Cruise lines cancel Turkey port stops
It’s one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, but with global fears about terrorism influencing travel, many cruise lines have been cancelling planned port stops in Turkey for 2016.
A number of cruise lines have already announced they will not be stopping in Turkey in 2016.
Crystal, Disney and MSC Cruises have already cancelled Turkey stops and Celebrity Cruises has followed suit, cancelling its overnight stops in Istanbul.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings also announced it will be suspending its services that stop in Turkey, which will affect cruises that are operation within its three lines – Norwegian Cruise Lines, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
The concerns are hardly unfounded, with the Australian Government’s Smart Traveller resource advising travellers to, “Exercise a high degree of caution in Turkey because of the high threat of terrorist attack. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times. Monitor the media and other sources about possible new security risks.”
The cancellations haven’t been made lightly, with Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings CEO Frank Del Rio saying it was one of the most difficult decisions he has had to make.
“Turkey is very dear to our hearts,” Mr Del Rio told Cruise Critic. “When Turkey and the Greek Islands are calm and collected, it's the best destination for us… but given what has happened to Turkey over the last several months, and with all the intelligence that we subscribe to, we believe that the correct course of action is to not call on Turkish ports for 2016.”
Related links:
158 passengers struck with gastro on cruise ship docked in Sydney
10 romantic destinations for your next cruise