Salalah disembarkation ban

[Cowboy Ranger]

Local port physician didn't like health paperwork and banned all pax and crew from entering. We are now putting the ship in sea day program, opening casino and shops, etc. Official excuse from Oman doctor was too many GI cases putting Omani people at risk. Real reason something else no doubt. 27 passengers got off on private tours before the ban and we are waiting on them to return before we leave. Johannes told authorities that there will not be any more Azamara ships, ever, after this incident. Passengers in good spirits. Bingo, lectures, trivia scheduled.

 

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[Spursgirl]

Wow. Had an email overnight from a friend on board telling me about her plans for Salalah with new friends.

Sorry for the disappointment but glad everyone is in good spirits.

Enjoy the few relaxing sea days to come

[uktog]

Yes I just heard that as well.

Captain Johannes is right. He suffered shenanigans in India as well so it’s about time someone told these countries that if they want the revenue from cruise ships there needs to be more respect given.

 

 

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[Ithikan]

I'm confused. How did 27 passengers disembark before the yellow quarantine flag was taken down, figuratively speaking? But, I am not at all surprised at the swift and appropriate response from the bridge.

[manc]

We would like longer in Egypt or Aqaba in October if no longer stopping here enter route t9 Dubai!

[acruisergirl]

We would like longer in Egypt or Aqaba in October if no longer stopping here enter route t9 Dubai!

My husband and I are also on the October cruise. An overnight in Egypt would be my vote.(yn) (yn)(yn)(yn)

 

Pat:):)

[Cowboy Ranger]

Early departure private tours and independent early risers got off before all heck broke loose. DW was one and said there is basically nothing worth seeing, confirmed by her photos. No big loss.

 

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[ragesinn]

Are they restricting library use and keeping all daily newspapers behind the desk on 4 as on the previous cruise?

[uktog]

Early departure private tours and independent early risers got off before all heck broke loose. DW was one and said there is basically nothing worth seeing, confirmed by her photos. No big loss.

 

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Indeed! I wasn't going to say this morning, but its not high on my list of ports worthy of a repeat.

 

However it is unbelievable that as I understand it one official can decide because he doesn't like the updating of one form to reflect overnight changes such that 4 people are now sick, they can deny 691 other folks the opportunity to visit.

[mrbluesea]

From memory it does have a military base close by which could have had something to do with it. The only thing good about it is that it does have an unexpectedly nice beach (but no facilities). But I agree not worthy of a second visit. In fact it's surprising that it's on so many itineraries.

 

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[Cowboy Ranger]

Indeed! I wasn't going to say this morning, but its not high on my list of ports worthy of a repeat.

 

However it is unbelievable that as I understand it one official can decide because he doesn't like the updating of one form to reflect overnight changes such that 4 people are now sick, they can deny 691 other folks the opportunity to visit.

If I was RCC CEO I would ask the embassy to contact Sultan Qaboos about his people in Salalah not being on board with the Omani vision. On the other hand, an overnight in Aqaba would be much better for passengers. We took on bunker fuel in Salalah so maybe logistics are the real reason for a port call in such a nothing-burger port.

 

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[J & G]

My husband and I are also on the October cruise. An overnight in Egypt would be my vote.(yn) (yn)(yn)(yn)

 

 

 

Pat:):)

 

 

 

We are on that same cruise! An extra night in Egypt would be fabulous!!!

 

 

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[uktog]

If I was RCC CEO I would ask the embassy to contact Sultan Qaboos about his people in Salalah not being on board with the Omani vision. On the other hand, an overnight in Aqaba would be much better for passengers. We took on bunker fuel in Salalah so maybe logistics are the real reason for a port call in such a nothing-burger port.

 

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Bunkering was the reason given when we queried why we stopped there last year. Most guests last year were not enthusiastic about the visit there. I found it such a different place to Muscat, it was hard to imagine I was in the same country

[travelberlin]

Early departure private tours and independent early risers got off before all heck broke loose. DW was one and said there is basically nothing worth seeing, confirmed by her photos. No big loss.

 

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I can confirm that this is not an exiting port of call. I was there last year. No big loss at all.

Ivi

[Bearsfoot]

Just wanted to say, I am on Crystal and we were in port together today. I had fabulous tour with a private guide in Salalah and there is so much to see, when you go outside the city. Sorry that you did not experience this place and I wish the guests onboard that are sick, get well soon.

Elisabeth

[ellbon]

Just wanted to say, I am on Crystal and we were in port together today. I had fabulous tour with a private guide in Salalah and there is so much to see, when you go outside the city. Sorry that you did not experience this place and I wish the guests onboard that are sick, get well soon.

Elisabeth

 

I know Serenity was there. Have friends on ship. This is what happens when paperwork and the port dr can not agree. Thrilled Johaness will not allow our ships to go back there.

[J & G]

Just wanted to say, I am on Crystal and we were in port together today. I had fabulous tour with a private guide in Salalah and there is so much to see, when you go outside the city. Sorry that you did not experience this place and I wish the guests onboard that are sick, get well soon.

Elisabeth

 

 

 

As of right now, Salalah is a stop on our fall cruise. Who was your guide and what did you see?

 

 

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[Cowboy Ranger]

Just wanted to say, I am on Crystal and we were in port together today. I had fabulous tour with a private guide in Salalah and there is so much to see, when you go outside the city. Sorry that you did not experience this place and I wish the guests onboard that are sick, get well soon.

Elisabeth

Whole day was spent out of city. Camels, a "castle", a tomb, village, beach, countryside. To each his own. Crystal captains don't share information the way Azamara captains do. The only reason to stop is to bunker up for a 5 night full speed run through the pirate waters of the gulf of Aden or to refuel after on eastbound itineraries.

 

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[Jayayeff]

Thrilled Johaness will not allow our ships to go back there.

 

In which case it will be Azamara’s loss not Salalah’s... Apart from being one of the largest and most vital ports on the Arabian Peninsular, Salalah is the former capital of Oman which was built around the centuries old insence trade, and the ancestral home of its Rulers. The local population are delightful and properly researched, and with a local guide, the visitor experience can be very worthwhile, as experienced by Bearsfoot...

 

Anne..

[Cowboy Ranger]

Bunkering was the reason given when we queried why we stopped there last year. Most guests last year were not enthusiastic about the visit there. I found it such a different place to Muscat, it was hard to imagine I was in the same country

It seems clear that when it comes to deployment of Oman's wealth, Muscat is Qaboos' priority for the people and Salalah is for the dirty work. A modern and convenient port for cruise lines fueling needs, probably the sole reason the Serenity also called that day.

 

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[ellbon]

Whole day was spent out of city. Camels, a "castle", a tomb, village, beach, countryside. To each his own. Crystal captains don't share information the way Azamara captains do. The only reason to stop is to bunker up for a 5 night full speed run through the pirate waters of the gulf of Aden or to refuel after on eastbound itineraries.

 

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One of many reasons to love Azamara ..the Captains who talk to you.

[Cowboy Ranger]

One of many reasons to love Azamara ..the Captains who talk to you.

Yes, absolutely. HDs as well.

 

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[Jayayeff]

A modern and convenient port for cruise lines fueling needs, probably the sole reason the Serenity also called that day.

 

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That may apply to the Azamara ships as they are smaller however, the last time I cruised that route was on the Serenity's sister ship and we didn't stop in Salalah but cruised directly from Muscat to Aqaba so it is not the sole reason for the stop as they can make the journey without the fueling stop if they want to...

 

Anne..

[florisdekort]

Just wanted to say, I am on Crystal and we were in port together today. I had fabulous tour with a private guide in Salalah and there is so much to see, when you go outside the city. Sorry that you did not experience this place and I wish the guests onboard that are sick, get well soon.

Elisabeth

 

 

I agree, Salalah is stunning if you get out of town! I would have been disappointed.

 

Captain Johannes may make an emotional statement in the heat of the moment but is not in charge of fleetwide itinerary planning. And ultimately this was his team’s fault - submitting paperwork with the wrong number of Noro cases would undoubtedly not go down well in many other ports either - even more so given that the previous cruise experienced Noro cases and a heightened sanitation program as well.

 

It’s OK for Azamara to blame Salalah authorities for what was probably a slight overreaction as long as that doesn’t distract from shoring up the processes around paperwork on Journey. If someone had simply updated the numbers early morning none of this would have happened.

 

Floris

[nokewood20]

The numbers reported correctly at time of sending the previous evening. 2 more cases presented during the night. Captain correctly informed authorities as soon as they came aboard.

 

 

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