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SHarm El Sheikh Port Call Cancelled


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I have just heard that Fred Olsen's Black Watch has cancelled a call at Sharm for 9th April. I think the timing of a Suez transit was cited as the problem, but I do wonder if that is the whole truth.

 

Does anyone know if other ships have cancelled Sharm? The British FCO have not advised against going there, but flights in and out are still no go for Brits.

 

We are due to call there on another Fred ship in October, and it is one of only two ports scheduled for the twelve days between Crete and Zanzibar, so we would be very sad if we lose the port.

 

Any info would be very welcome.

 

Barbara

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Checked the current location of NCL Star and she is indeed en route to Sharm from Safaga. Phoenix Reisen's Albatros is also en route to Sharm (from Hurghada). Now seems they were told on Black Watch that it was to do with the timing of the Suez crossing, so that may be the case, but I am always a bit suspicious of reasons given for dropping a port!

 

Looks like I am probably just over reacting to this though. Thanks for the replies.

 

I hope there are no problems for Israel or Israeli people.

 

Barbara

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Checked the current location of NCL Star and she is indeed en route to Sharm from Safaga. Phoenix Reisen's Albatros is also en route to Sharm (from Hurghada). Now seems they were told on Black Watch that it was to do with the timing of the Suez crossing, so that may be the case, but I am always a bit suspicious of reasons given for dropping a port!

 

Looks like I am probably just over reacting to this though. Thanks for the replies.

 

I hope there are no problems for Israel or Israeli people.

 

Barbara

Star is overnighting in Haifa on Sunday.......subject to change.

 

Sent from my SM-T530 using Tapatalk

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Latest news:

 

Expecting IS attack, Israel closes Taba Crossing into Egypt

 

In unusual move, Transportation Ministry won't allow Israelis into Sinai Peninsula, citing risk of terrorism.

 

http://www.timesofisrael.com/expecting-is-attack-israel-closes-taba-crossing-into-egypt/

 

Oh dear, hope all is well :(

 

The British FCO have advised against all but essential travel to Southern Sinai, (except for Sharm El Sheik), for a couple of years or so now and the northern area (north of Taba) is advised against all travel. This means that apart from Sharm, we should not go there on holiday and, if we do, our travel insurance will not be valid (including medical cover).

 

Must admit, regards that I am a bit surprised that Israeli people still go there as I suspect they could be at higher risk of attack than the Brits. It is such a shame though for both people who want to travel and more importantly the people in the "at risk" countries who just want to make a living. We loved the North African Countries and their people.

 

The ship I was asking about was supposed to be in Alexandria today, but of course that has now been cancelled. They are off to Iraklion in Crete, due to dock 7pm for an overnight and presumably at least part of tomorrow instead.

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  • 4 weeks later...

We were on the NCL Star during the times in question.

There were no problems of any kind.

NCL did have armed escorts on the top of the ship as we traveled through questionable areas at night.

The Star was great at keeping passengers informed of what was going on.

I think this put everyone at ease.

 

This was the cruise of a lifetime and I am so glad we went with NCL.

We overnighted in Haifa and loved everything about Israel.

The local people were extremely nice to us.

We had dinner at a local restaurant (no other tourists) and the 6 of us were treated like royalty.

It was a very busy night, yet the staff and patrons were kind in helping us order.

We were even given a desert to taste and share.

 

One piece of advice - dress conservatively while in the Middle East.

Be respectful of their traditions.

We wore long pants and modest colors.

We kept our arms covered.

I was embarrassed when I saw tourists in short shorts and skimpy shirts.

Do not let the terrorists win.

Be smart, but travel where and when you wish.

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Thanks for that report of the NCL Star. Fred does not usually pull ports in that part of the world, unless the British FCO advise against travel, so it may genuinely have been to do with time of Suez crossing - I did track the ship and timing would have made it difficult to call into Sharm, so hopefully our cruise in late Oct will still call at Sharm. I hope so, given the number of sea days due at that time on our cruise to Mauritius.

 

Sadly as Black Watch was heading to Suez there was the big attack on a Coptic Christian Church between Alexandria and Cairo (on Palm Sunday I think), so their port call to Alexandria was pulled as well, but I think that had to be done under the circumstances. We had a couple of days in Alexandria a few years ago and had a really good time there so it is sad they missed that one. At least they had a replacement call at Iraklion in Greece, which at least gave them chance to get off the ship, even though it is a more 'run of the mill' port.

 

Glad you enjoyed the cruise on NCL Star,

 

Cheers,

 

Barbara

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Thanks for that report of the NCL Star. Fred does not usually pull ports in that part of the world, unless the British FCO advise against travel, so it may genuinely have been to do with time of Suez crossing - I did track the ship and timing would have made it difficult to call into Sharm, so hopefully our cruise in late Oct will still call at Sharm. I hope so, given the number of sea days due at that time on our cruise to Mauritius.

 

Sadly as Black Watch was heading to Suez there was the big attack on a Coptic Christian Church between Alexandria and Cairo (on Palm Sunday I think), so their port call to Alexandria was pulled as well, but I think that had to be done under the circumstances. We had a couple of days in Alexandria a few years ago and had a really good time there so it is sad they missed that one. At least they had a replacement call at Iraklion in Greece, which at least gave them chance to get off the ship, even though it is a more 'run of the mill' port.

 

Glad you enjoyed the cruise on NCL Star,

 

Cheers,

 

Barbara

 

 

Oh my, I sure hope it works for you.

We sailed through the Suez Canal on April 8 - the day before Palm Sunday.

We had no problems.

NCL did hire armed guards that were on the top of the ship every night and through the Canal.

They were there for our time in the "more dangerous" waters and departed once we were in the Mediterranean Sea.

No one on the ship felt threatened.

We were reassured by the presence of the guards.

I need to add that we were never near Cairo or Alexandria.

 

We also went to Iraklion, Greece and loved it.

We went snorkeling with a small group of 16 on a boat built to hold 50.

The waters are beautiful and the snorkeling was great.

Lots to see.

 

Judy

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