buchhalm Posted December 28, 2019 #1 Share Posted December 28, 2019 Attention all cruisers who will visit Oman in the next days and weeks. The ruler, Sultan Qaboos Al Said, is reportedly gravely ill and it is expected that he will pass away in the next few days. Once this happens, public life in the country will very likely to come to a stand still for up to 40 days. Certainly during the first few days after his death, there will be no form of public entertainment or amusement and pretty much everything that is a non-essential service will close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skoobdo Posted December 28, 2019 #2 Share Posted December 28, 2019 Still on the cruise ship, but just left there yesterday evening. Nothing in the international news yet. MSC still sailing there on there next routes with Lirica and Bellisima (sp), that starts tomorrow. I guess they'll refund or substitute ports for any prepaid excursions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TLCOhio Posted December 29, 2019 #3 Share Posted December 29, 2019 On 12/28/2019 at 2:50 AM, buchhalm said: Attention all cruisers who will visit Oman in the next days and weeks. The ruler, Sultan Qaboos Al Said, is reportedly gravely ill and it is expected that he will pass away in the next few days. Once this happens, public life in the country will very likely to come to a stand still for up to 40 days. Certainly during the first few days after his death, there will be no form of public entertainment or amusement and pretty much everything that is a non-essential service will close. Appreciate these important details and the follow-up. We will hope and pray for the best for this important Middle East leader. In preparing for our first visit to Oman a little over a year ago, it was very interesting and enlightening to learn about his leadership and history. Then, in visiting Muscat, we super enjoyed being at both the famed Opera House and the Mosque. Both are very impressive!! Clearly for the past number of years, he has been facing serious health challenges. Will be hoping that when a "transition" happens, that the country's forward progress will continue and be successful. Below from my life/blog are a couple of my favorite visuals that connect and bring back nice memories from visiting in Oman and sensing his many accomplishments. THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 17,033 views. Connect at: www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/ Here are just two visuals for what we saw and experienced in and around their Grand Mosque in Muscat. Very impressive with its classy design, refined style, wonderful landscaping and plantings, etc., etc.: (Open your screen/viewer wider to see these pictures larger/better!) Here is the view as we approached walking into the spectacular Royal Opera House Oman. The building design and construction detailing were amazing to see as we were exploring this facility. It was officially opened on October 12, 2011. The Sultan is a big classical music fan and it shows. The second picture shows its main lobby and grand staircase.: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flamingolady100 Posted December 29, 2019 #4 Share Posted December 29, 2019 On 12/28/2019 at 6:33 AM, Skoobdo said: Still on the cruise ship, but just left there yesterday evening. Nothing in the international news yet. MSC still sailing there on there next routes with Lirica and Bellisima (sp), that starts tomorrow. I guess they'll refund or substitute ports for any prepaid excursions. So sad to hear this. A friend of ours who sponsored us so we could enter the country to visit them, was the photographer to the Sultan of Oman for many years. We got to see many inside things as a result and were treated like royalty. The Sultan did many wonderful things for the country, making it a most progressive country in the middle east. In the mid- nineties even the women were allowed to drive, they had a mall and McDonalds. He made the city green with planting and pots. He was amazing so we understand their grief at his pending loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingFox27 Posted January 11, 2020 #5 Share Posted January 11, 2020 Sultan Quaboos Al Said has passed away. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/world-middle-east-50902476?__twitter_impression=true Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buchhalm Posted January 11, 2020 Author #6 Share Posted January 11, 2020 Indeed. A sad day for Oman and the entire region. 40 days of mourning are announced. Let's see how it pans out. According to Oman law, a successor has to be announced by the royal family within 3 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flamingolady100 Posted January 11, 2020 #7 Share Posted January 11, 2020 Thank you so much for this sad news. We knew Mohammed who was the personal photographer to the Sultan for many years. When we were there, we saw and heard of the many things he did to make Oman the most progressive country in the middle east. Hopefully, the successor carries on what he started. It must be a scary time for this country. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buchhalm Posted January 11, 2020 Author #8 Share Posted January 11, 2020 Friends in Muscat are just waking up to the news. Several heard from US in Bangkok. They didn't know the news yet. It is still sinking in over there and even the local newspapers did not cary the story an hour ago. As it stands, 3 days of OFFICIAL mourning and 40 days of all flags on half last. The show must go on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buchhalm Posted January 11, 2020 Author #9 Share Posted January 11, 2020 Oman has appointed Haitham bin Tariq Al Said as the new Sultan. This, less than 24 hours after Sultan Qaboos' death was announced. which makes one think that the old man passed several days ago and was kept on ice.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buchhalm Posted January 11, 2020 Author #10 Share Posted January 11, 2020 Update: Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, was actually HM Quaboos ' personal choice and his name was "in the envelope ". The royal family did not even deliberate amongst themselves whom to appoint. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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