More Israel cruise cancellations have posted since Hamas began unleashing attacks over the weekend.
Cruise lines that are scheduled to depart or stop at the Middle Eastern country have been forced to change their itineraries or cancel their voyages altogether.
Additionally, the US Department of State has issued an advisory asking visitors to reconsider traveling to the area while nearby Gaza has been categorized as a Level 4 do not travel zone.
One of the major cruise operators that homeports in Israel, Royal Caribbean, has already canceled 3 of its sailings that depart from Haifa—an area only 50 miles from hard-hit Tel Aviv.
Specifically, the October 9, 13, and 18 voyages have been called off.
Due to the sudden changes, payments for fares, taxes, fees, prepaid packages, and more will be completely refunded to affected passengers within 14 business days. Cruise credits will likewise be returned to the customers’ accounts.
Read more Royal Caribbean continues to cruise to Haiti amid conflict but is canceling shore excursions
In the midst of the war, a representative from Royal Caribbean International (RCI) has said that it is difficult to gauge how the conflict will impact the industry. “As far as next year goes, I think we just have to see where we are a month from now, two months from now,” said RCI Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support, and Service Vicki Freed.
She also assured the public that Royal has extended flexibility to its passengers by allowing them to cancel their bookings at the last minute while still receiving refunds or cruise credits.
Israel Cruise Cancellations Continue
| Cruise Ship | Cruise Date | Replacement Cruise Ports |
|---|---|---|
| MSC Sinfonia | October 21 | Genoa, Civitavecchia Piraeus, Izmir, Istanbul, and Heraklion |
| MSC Musica | October 18 | Rhodes, Greece and Marmaris, Turkey |
| Rhapsody of the Seas | October 13, 18 November 1, 6 | Voyage cancelled |
| Mein Schiff 5 | October 25, 26 | Rhodes, Greece, and Marmaris, Turkey |
| Celebrity Apex | October 16 | Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes |
| Seven Seas Voyager | October 15 | Istanbul, Turkey |
| Celestyal Journey | October 21, 28 November 4, 11, 18, and 25 | Contact cruise line |
| Star Legend | October 20, 28 | Piraeus, Greece |
| Odyssey of the Seas | October 15 | Crete, Bodrum and Rhodes |
| Island Princess | November | Santorini and Crete |
Other cruise lines have made similar changes. Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Apex cruise ship, Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam, MSC Cruises’ MSC Musica, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade, and Princess Cruises’ Island Princess have either replaced or skipped their Israel stops in their October sailings.
Their detours include other destinations like Santorini, Mykonos, Rhodes, and Crete in Greece, Limassol in Cyprus, and Alanya, Mamaris, and Bodrum in Turkey.
Featured photo: Shutterstock
