Political Instability N Korea, Asia, Pacific

With all the rumblings re missile testing and retaliation, wonder how serious things have to get before cruise lines change itineraries or governments caution their citizens on travel in the area. Problem is the region is so large and can impact Hawaii, the Pacific and Asia.

Expect it is covered in all the cruise line agreements and changes at their discretion have to be accepted without compensation.ie expect insurance will be exempt as in the weather, war, or act of god instances.

Anyone have any experience?

I don't have any experience here re: the situation and cruises but am certainly interested. Doing an overland trip to Japan and Maui in late September. The last time I planned a trip to Japan, the Fukushima disaster happened. And so I cancelled on my own well in advance. Only had to pay a redeposit fee to get my frequent flyer miles back.

With all the bluster of late, I thought "here we go again." Had been hoping things would deescalate; at least in time for my trip. And permanently for the sake of peace, period. Not fun.

Time will tell on all of this.

Right now I don't see cruise lines doing major changes to itineraries.

From time to time we have been on sailings where a change was made months or even weeks before and on occasion on the actual sailing mainly due to concerns with pirates and terrorist activities.

Keith

Yes, I can't see them actually changing anything unless something were to actually happen, as the range they would need to adopt as a precaution is very large, and would wipe out a lot of business. Missile action is much larger than the past reasons to avoid an area, which is much more localised.

Further, ships themselves aren't a likely target so it's more about regional instability. Which goes back to point 1.

Keith,

Do you know of any actual itineraries that have been changed because of piracy? Current discussion on Viking World Cruise Roll Call about pirates.

With all the rumblings re missile testing and retaliation, wonder how serious things have to get before cruise lines change itineraries or governments caution their citizens on travel in the area. Problem is the region is so large and can impact Hawaii, the Pacific and Asia.

Expect it is covered in all the cruise line agreements and changes at their discretion have to be accepted without compensation.ie expect insurance will be exempt as in the weather, war, or act of god instances.

Anyone have any experience?

Have been wondering this too!! Especially seeing as last week North Korea filed a missile that ended in the see off Japan... and we off on a cruise round Japan on the Diamond Princess on 1st Oct. My Husband reakons North Korea been testing missiles for years and unless something big happens between North Korea and the US no itinerary changes will be made till then. Interesting and a little worrying tho!!

Keith,

Do you know of any actual itineraries that have been changed because of piracy? Current discussion on Viking World Cruise Roll Call about pirates.

There has been SO many discussions on princess boards and other online groups about the news articles regarding risk and pirates. Pirate drills are nothing new and have been going on for years. The news articles are exaggerated and sensationalised.

Even with specific shipping threats from pirates, they still run the ships there, not cancel.

They just add other precautionary actions onboard.

We have spent three winters in SE Asia. Recently booked our air for a fourth winter. So far we do not feel that we have any cause to be concerned.

I don't have any experience here re: the situation and cruises but am certainly interested. Doing an overland trip to Japan and Maui in late September. The last time I planned a trip to Japan, the Fukushima disaster happened. And so I cancelled on my own well in advance. Only had to pay a redeposit fee to get my frequent flyer miles back.

 

With all the bluster of late, I thought "here we go again." Had been hoping things would deescalate; at least in time for my trip. And permanently for the sake of peace, period. Not fun.

In Tokyo at the minute after a circle Japan and South Korea cruise. We were in South Korea the day that the news broke. Life went on as normal and we also sailed through Typhoon Noru. Wouldn't worry about it.

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In Tokyo at the minute after a circle Japan and South Korea cruise. We were in South Korea the day that the news broke. Life went on as normal and we also sailed through Typhoon Noru. Wouldn't worry about it.

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Excellent! I'm now too busy putting the finishing touches on my itinerary to worry. Excited is what I am. :-)

For locals, South Koreans living & working in Seoul, about an hour from the heavily guarded border DMZ - 37th Parallel - it's been their way of life for decades, in the shadow of conventional bombs & missiles. Odds are that, unless you are on a land-based visit or tour with an overnight stay, you won't have time to get anywhere close in the hot zones. We overnighted in a luxury resort on the popular coastal town by the East Sea and military patrols were a daily routine, business as usual - our multi-lingual guide explained their faith ... nothing to be alarmed about at all.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/5w7bm77argxnepm/SK%20East%20Sea%20-%20Coastal%20tour%20-%20military%20on%20patrol.jpg?dl=0

However, I wished they're trained a little better on basic firearms safety, finger away from the trigger ... regardless of whether the clips are loaded & a round chambered or not. Not appreciative of the way the weapon is being pointed, if the truck hit a big pothole & get bumped, just saying. That's all.

Busan & Jeju Island on the southern peninsula, 4 to 5 hours from Seoul are even more "protected" and far away, even for an all-out war.

I would probably be more concerned if leaving soon for certain parts of Southeast Asia where there's been ongoing radical rebels at odds with some risks for priacy - it is something that all the cruiselines are well aware of and try to sail carefully around those warm waters.

Just go, relax & enjoy to the fullest - we all only live once ... otherwise, we all might as well live & stay in our celluar / basement bunker as prepper, off-grids and never step outside.

Good job we booked ANA through Narita instead of KAL through Seoul for our winter trip.

I would probably be more concerned if leaving soon for certain parts of Southeast Asia where there's been ongoing radical rebels at odds with some risks for priacy - it is something that all the cruiselines are well aware of and try to sail carefully around those warm waters.

 

Just go, relax & enjoy to the fullest - we all only live once ... otherwise, we all might as well live & stay in our celluar / basement bunker as prepper, off-grids and never step outside.

Agreed. Curious though: for SEA, would you say Thailand, Indonesia, or parts of the Philippines?

We have spent three winters travelling in Thailand, VIetnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. Independent travel, anywhere from a month to three months at a time. When there were problems in Thailand it was only in Bangkok and confined to one area. No issues anywhere else that we saw despite the news reports. We relied on a blog of a US expat who lives in Bangkok for RELIABLE information.

This time it will be Thailand, Malaysia, and Philippines for two months. Not going to the far south of the Philippines nor will be go the far southeast of Thailand (border with Malaysia). We do not anticipate any issues. Just another wonderful winter vacation, lots of sun, sand, wonderful food, wonderful people.

Agreed ... would you say Thailand, Indonesia, or parts of the Philippines?

Thailand's popular tourist sites & religious spots for pilgrimage have had bombs gone off, not necessary targeting specific groups vs. the Philippines - which we have no interest in going at all. Not sure if there's anything in Indonesia appealing to us. Many itineraries begin/end in Singapore without the need to see Malaysia, even though Kuala Lumpur is very modern. The potential "risks" are much higher on an immersion land-based visit vs. ship-based tour, even if privately organized, for some of these SEA ports.

Then, I was reading an article about curfew for pax & blackout mode overnight on a cruise ship sailing thru another region of the world ;) Then, I rather have those armed escort like the S.K. military patrolling, or do I ?

Don't let the nut in North Korea keep you from enjoying a visit to East Asia. Japan and China are probably two of the safest countries in the World.

With all the rumblings, demonstrations, threats about missile testing and retaliation with North Korea, threats to invade Venezuela and Pakistan, the opioid overdose epidemic, and the daily mass shootings, I wonder how serious things have to get before cruise lines change itineraries calling at US Ports, or more governments caution their citizens on travel in North America.

Japanese and Turkish governments have warned their citizens to avoid travel to the USA.

 

But some people say not to let that nut in America keep you from enjoying a visit.

I had a similar thought Chpurser.

Risk isn't isolated to one location in the world.

With all the rumblings, demonstrations, threats about missile testing and retaliation with North Korea, threats to invade Venezuela and Pakistan, the opioid overdose epidemic, and the daily mass shootings, I wonder how serious things have to get before cruise lines change itineraries calling at US Ports, or more governments caution their citizens on travel in North America.

Japanese and Turkish governments have warned their citizens to avoid travel to the USA.

 

But some people say not to let that nut in America keep you from enjoying a visit.

Well put at least you recognize it.

Holland America has cancelled South Korean ports Seoul and Jeju in October for the Volendam

Holland America has cancelled South Korean ports Seoul and Jeju in October for the Volendam

Some cruise lines might follow suit.

Such a shame. We're just back from Busan and it was fantastic. We were there the day it hit the news.

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Appreciate these various posts and comments. We are getting ready in late January 2018 to head to Hong Kong for our first visit there and in then doing Vietnam, Bangkok, a Mekong River cruise, Cambodia, Angkor Wat, etc. Things seem more stable there than in the Korea areas. BUT, Thailand has had some changes with their popular King passing away and his playboy son taking the throne. As I understand Thailand is still under somewhat military rule, etc.

Any added insights, experiences for these areas of Asia?

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 185,587 views for this posting.

Appreciate these various posts and comments. We are getting ready in late January 2018 to head to Hong Kong for our first visit there and in then doing Vietnam, Bangkok, a Mekong River cruise, Cambodia, Angkor Wat, etc. Things seem more stable there than in the Korea areas. BUT, Thailand has had some changes with their popular King passing away and his playboy son taking the throne. As I understand Thailand is still under somewhat military rule, etc.

 

Any added insights, experiences for these areas of Asia?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 185,587 views for this posting.

This has always been a volatile area, as with many areas of the world these days.

Be alert, stay away from demonstrations, Hong Kong is experiencing some demonstrations re reverting to Chinese rule.

South east Asia is a beautiful part of the world with lovely people. Be respectful of their culture and customs, smile a lot and enjoy.

Corrections - there are no recent, major demonstrations or civil unrest in HKG (unlike 2014 - where many of the "troublemaking" leaders for independence finally faced justice, getting short prison terms instead of just doing community service ... to the cheers of the majority, local citizens). HK reverted - returned to China 20 years ago, on July 1, 1997. Please cite source for claims of any recent protests. :rolleyes:

The new Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (formerly old HKG airport) continued to see more cruise ship traffic ,,, one of my older (retired) cousin just sailed on Royal's VOS several days ago among a small group of 8 friends to Vietnam.

Thailand has its shared of unrest due to military governance, threats & dangers to visitors & foreigners aren't specific nor targeted - situational awareness are advised. One can always stay onboard the ship while docked ... don't many do that while visiting Nassau, Bahamas. (Or, how about recent US advisories about travel to Mexico ...)

Still, historic landmark & religious sites in Thai remained popular with tourists, especially travelers from other parts of Asia.

Vietnam ports as a whole are welcoming the mighty tourist dollars (and Euro, pounds, RMB, etc.) - cautions are merely for the usual tourist "traps" and know how to negotiate & bargain prices while shopping.

Myanmar (Burma) is experiencing unrest lately, largely due to internal religious conflicts but it is less frequented by cruise ship passengers.

South Korean's ordinary citizens have been living with unrest and remained, technically at war, with NK for the last 75 years - and, continue to live, work & play ... business as usual. They've lost their Won against Chinese tourism, especially from duty-free shoppers when Beijing imposed restrictions & bans, no thanks to the U.S.

One of the key is to blend and mix in among the locals, not easy if one looked obviously different but unwise to wear clothing or baseball caps to loudly annouce one's nationality and/or favorite sports team traveling abroad, i.e. NY Yankees.