Questions on security on some tours, ports and the Suez canal

Hello

I know the difference between a travel alert and a travel warning. For anyone that doesn't just look on the U.S. government list of countries with travel warnings/alerts.

My questions are a few:

1.I know Hurghada Egypt which is close to where the ship docks is on a travel warning and so is Israel. Do the ships TOURS have any extra security? Also going into Palestine from Israel is there any extra security on TOURS? When we leave Israel are we under the Palestinian government control and TOUR guides?

2. Going down the Suez with Yemen and Egypt and I think a small part of Africa on either side are there any extra security brought on? I know Journey was one of three ships attached by pirates years ago and the ships staff was incredible. I am sure they are taught what to do. Probably just full throttle ahead and water canons etc. I was also told there are two muster drills. One regular and one for any potential problems. But what about any solders etc being on the ship? I heard Princess does. Does Azamara?

Not trying to scare anyone as I just want to know.

Please note I am only asking about the tours above and about the Suez not other countries or ports. These questions are probably for those who have already been to these places and on these tours and gone down the Suez

Thank you

Kathy

Hello

 

I know the difference between a travel alert and a travel warning. For anyone that doesn't just look on the U.S. government list of countries with travel warnings/alerts.

 

My questions are a few:

1.I know Hurghada Egypt which is close to where the ship docks is on a travel warning and so is Israel. Do the ships TOURS have any extra security? Also going into Palestine from Israel is there any extra security on TOURS? When we leave Israel are we under the Palestinian government control and TOUR guides?

2. Going down the Suez with Yemen and Egypt and I think a small part of Africa on either side are there any extra security brought on? I know Journey was one of three ships attached by pirates years ago and the ships staff was incredible. I am sure they are taught what to do. Probably just full throttle ahead and water canons etc. I was also told there are two muster drills. One regular and one for any potential problems. But what about any solders etc being on the ship? I heard Princess does. Does Azamara?

 

Not trying to scare anyone as I just want to know.

 

Please note I am only asking about the tours above and about the Suez not other countries or ports. These questions are probably for those who have already been to these places and on these tours and gone down the Suez

 

Thank you

Kathy

The ships tours have extra security

Going through the canal they do not have extra security onboard but in the area flippantly referred to as pirate alley off the horn of Africa. There are a range of precaution including no visible external lights after 6pm, no access to decks 10 and 5 (as they are used by the patrols) and extra specialist advisors onboard who work with the captain and use equipment like night sights etc. They also load on and off load "unspecified equipment" I think we all know what that is!

You practice a drill operation safe haven which is what would be used if there was an issue

Done this route several times on Azamara - nothing to worry about

Yes, a security team come onboard and are on duty through "Pirate Alley". They seem to be ex-forces and as uktog says they have lots of 'special equipment'. On our last Suez cruise they did a test firing, they didn't warn anyone they were going to do it, but there was an announcement immediately afterwards - it was very loud!

We also had a special drill of what to do in the event of an emergency.

Can't answer your question about ship's excursions, but once when we had a holiday in Egypt, we did an excursion from Sharm El Sheikh to St Catherine's Monastery in Sinai. Our bus went across the Sinai Peninsular in convoy accompanied by soldiers. I guess that is still the case in Egypt.

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