Current travels near Israel

[sowhat33]

Is anyone currently sailing with Viking in the eastern Mediterranean near the conflict? (I know all Israeli ports have already been redirected) If you are cruising nearby, what’s it like?

[Paul73]

We just returned from a Viking Pharaohs and Pyramids trip to Egypt with a post-cruise extension in Jordan.  We didn't see any anti-Israeli or anti-American graffiti or demonstrations.  We felt safe the entire trip.

[hurwitz5]

We will be sailing on the Viking Saturn on December 6.  Our 3 days in Israel have been changed to 2 days in Malta and 2 days in Cyprus (instead  of 1).  Cyprus is close to Israel and Lebanon.  If anyone has been in Cyprus recently, what is the situation like there?

[Heidi13]

5 hours ago, hurwitz5 said:

We will be sailing on the Viking Saturn on December 6.  Our 3 days in Israel have been changed to 2 days in Malta and 2 days in Cyprus (instead  of 1).  Cyprus is close to Israel and Lebanon.  If anyone has been in Cyprus recently, what is the situation like there?

 

Cyprus is about 200 miles from the north of Israel.

 

Rather than being concerned about issues with the distant conflicts in Israel, surely you are aware of the ongoing potential for conflicts on the island of Cyprus, which are long standing and unrelated to Israel. If not aware of the local history, Cyprus is an island divided between Turkey & Greece, with a United Nations controlled buffer zone stretching all the way across the island. From memory, the buffer zone has been in place since the mid-1970's.

 

Haven't heard of any issues lately, but I'll suggest the low potential for local unrest is greater than the potential for issues from the conflict in Israel.

[Mrs Miggins]

Cyprus is very much a holiday island for those of us in the UK.  Most visit the south of the island but tourism to Northern Cyprus is also expanding.  Apparently nearly half a million tourists arrived in June 2023 for example.  Most from the UK, but growing numbers from Scandinavia, Germany etc.  Used to be lots of Russians also - not now of course.

There are political divisions in many countries but in Cyprus the apparent status quo for 50 years means that tourism has continued to expand.  It is a lovely island.  English spoken everywhere.   Many of my friends visit annually.  They have no hesitation in visiting.  

Sometimes it is difficult for me to understand some of the reservations those from North America have about destinations in Europe.   Of course the reverse is also true.  I can recall a time that it was said that you could get shot for jaywalking in some parts of the US etc etc.

 

There have been many cancellations because of the re routing of cruises away from Israel.  I have seen offers of prices from Viking which are more like those we used to enjoy when Viking started operations. Lots from the UK have jumped aboard and will enjoy the lovely Greek Islands at a very good price.

 

 

 

 

[Berlin Bear]

An interesting article from today’s Guardian about recent developments in Cyprus https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/nov/13/cyprus-becomes-safe-haven-after-hamas-attack-israel-middle-east

[Geoffa30]

On 11/11/2023 at 8:45 AM, Mrs Miggins said:

There have been many cancellations because of the re routing of cruises away from Israel.  I have seen offers of prices from Viking which are more like those we used to enjoy when Viking started operations. Lots from the UK have jumped aboard and will enjoy the lovely Greek Islands at a very good price.

 

 

 

 

This is interesting to hear. Where have you seen these offers? Emails from Viking or through travel agent websites?

[Goosebear Mum]

1 hour ago, Geoffa30 said:

This is interesting to hear. Where have you seen these offers? Emails from Viking or through travel agent websites?

I was wondering too. 

[Mrs Miggins]

They were emails from Viking.  Also mentioned on the UK section of Viking on FB

[Hobson1754]

I never get these email offers 😤

[Geoffa30]

9 hours ago, Mrs Miggins said:

They were emails from Viking.  Also mentioned on the UK section of Viking on FB

 

 

Okay. Thank you.

 

9 hours ago, Hobson1754 said:

I never get these email offers 😤

 

I sometimes receive emails but didn’t receive these ones. That’s a shame as would have been interested. 

[Mrs Miggins]

The email was dated Nov. 2nd.  and was headed "Escape the British Winter".  it offered special prices not available on the website.  Prices from £1599 per person for 24th Jan Ancient mediterranean Treasures.

 

First e mail dated 25th October was "Last Minute Winter Escapes to the Mediterranean" and that offered Journey to Antiquities from £1799 and Greek Odyssey 11 days from £2999.  A Silver Spirits Beverage Package also included.

 

Might still be worth a phone call if you are interested.

[Hobson1754]

14 minutes ago, Mrs Miggins said:

The email was dated Nov. 2nd.  and was headed "Escape the British Winter".  it offered special prices not available on the website.  Prices from £1599 per person for 24th Jan Ancient mediterranean Treasures.

 

First e mail dated 25th October was "Last Minute Winter Escapes to the Mediterranean" and that offered Journey to Antiquities from £1799 and Greek Odyssey 11 days from £2999.  A Silver Spirits Beverage Package also included.

 

Might still be worth a phone call if you are interested.

Thanks for this - we are on a Viking cruise in February & therefore wouldn’t have been interested in the January cruise - wonder if this is why I didn’t get email?

[Berlin Bear]

1 hour ago, Mrs Miggins said:

The email was dated Nov. 2nd.  and was headed "Escape the British Winter".  it offered special prices not available on the website.  Prices from £1599 per person for 24th Jan Ancient mediterranean Treasures.

 

First e mail dated 25th October was "Last Minute Winter Escapes to the Mediterranean" and that offered Journey to Antiquities from £1799 and Greek Odyssey 11 days from £2999.  A Silver Spirits Beverage Package also included.

 

Might still be worth a phone call if you are interested.

I also find this very interesting. It would be really nice if you could post these offers under the thread Post Viking Promos. Up to now e are only seeing promotions for the US market.

[crispy23]

These offers seem to be very selective to whom they are emailed out to, we have done a number of Viking cruises and have a couple more booked and have never received any of these offers, we do get plenty of other marketing stuff all at full price though. However friends who have only in the past made a very tentative enquiry a number of years ago and never travelled with them do receive these offers and forward them on to us.

Very interesting marketing!

 

[millybess]

13 hours ago, crispy23 said:

These offers seem to be very selective to whom they are emailed out to, we have done a number of Viking cruises and have a couple more booked and have never received any of these offers, we do get plenty of other marketing stuff all at full price though. However friends who have only in the past made a very tentative enquiry a number of years ago and never travelled with them do receive these offers and forward them on to us.

Very interesting marketing!

 

If you have Viking cruises booked, try using a different email address than the one you have used for your booking(s).  That has worked for us.  

[SJD117]

Turkey’s Erdogan declared Israel a “terror state” today. FYI — no editorial comment, just a statement of fact to consider for those traveling in the region.

[KBs mum]

3 minutes ago, SJD117 said:

Turkey’s Erdogan declared Israel a “terror state” today. FYI — no editorial comment, just a statement of fact to consider for those traveling in the region.

Turkey is one of the countries we avoid on moral grounds, we don't want to give money to a mysogenistic and homophobic dictatorship. 

For similar reasons found a visit to St Petersburg educational, but we didn't enjoy the experience and we won't return to Russia