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Anyone worried about security in Middle East?

inquiring minds

By inquiring minds,
in Seabourn Cruise Line

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inquiring minds

inquiring minds

Posted
Posted

Hi All,

 

Just wondering what some of you are thinking about security on board Spirit and for excursions for our upcoming Alexandria - Dubai sailing (11/15/08). As previously stated, this will be our first Seabourn cruise so I'd love some insight. We are not the jumpy types however there have been some pretty strange things going on there in the last couple of weeks!

 

Any thoughts?

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Margate Cruiser

Margate Cruiser

Posted
Posted

If Seabourn is worried they will cancel the tours. A and K who in my opinion is first class will have professional escorts with us like they do most tours in the area. This is why we are going on the ships tours and not making any private arrangements with off the ship companies. I am sure they are good but we have used A and K many times (South America) which also has problems.

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inquiring minds

inquiring minds

Posted
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Thanks for your reply. I had read that note which you posted on another thread and we have done the same thing - booked our excursions through the cruiseline. What do you think about while at sea? Do you know anything about the "pirating" problem in the Gulf of Aiden? My husband has been doing a bit of research on this and is a bit concerned.

 

Thanks in advance for your thought!

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Margate Cruiser

Margate Cruiser

Posted
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The ship is well equipped. We were on the spirit after they had there last incident at sea. And it was well handled. We have been sailing with Seabourn for many years and I can say we feel very safe. Never a hesitation at all for a cruise this time it will be 31 days from Athens to Dubai. We will see you on board look for us with the Philly's hat or a Lobster. Judy and Steve

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cands

cands

Posted
Posted

I think the crew will be on high alert as we make our way around the horn of Africa. If anything suspicious is picked up you can be sure of some friendly military backup.

On one of the recent Asian relocation cruises a Royal Navy helicopter came to visit not long after some boats were seen following Spirit.

 

Of the ports it's really only Egypt that causes any concern. Jordan, Oman and UAE are perfectly safe to visit.

 

In Egypt there is a really strong local police presence. In Safaga there will be an armed escort to Luxor and all of the sites will have armed police everywhere. Tourism is very important to the Egyption economy. They don't want anything bad to happen to us.

 

I think it's going to be an interesting and rewarding part of the trip.

 

Cheers,

Steve (and Chris)

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cands

cands

Posted
Posted
Our very first cruise with Seabourn was the "pirate cruise" on November 5th 2005!! Very exciting to say the least!

 

Jean

 

That's amazing Jean. I take it you were happy with the way the crew handled the situation?

 

Steve.

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hoya68

hoya68

Posted
Posted

Although there have been a lot of incidents in the Gulf of Aden, the bad guys are aware of the increased naval presence in the area (France, U.S., Russia, etc.) and will likely stay away from a high visibility target like a ship with 400 people aboard (after all they have about 1,500 ships a month to choose from) - these guys are pirates, not terrorists. As far as the recent incident in Egypt, it was in an area that the U.S. warns its citizens not to travel in. As for me, I think the major risk is the drive on the Washington beltway to get to Dulles airport for my flight to Cairo. Only 45 days until embarkation (but who is counting!!!).

 

Steve

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Keith1010 "Live from...." Rare

Keith1010

Posted
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I would not be extra worried about your stops, having visited all of these places (except for one of your stops) over the past two years on board another cruise line; Crystal. I don't see there being much more risk than in some other areas of the world.

 

With that said, you will see extra security in some of these places. As you transit the Suez Canal you will see quite often military troops from Egypt who are on the lookout for terrorism. At the same time, if you take a tour say to Cairo from Alexandria, the buses/vans will drive in a caravan and there will be armed personnel with the caravan. This is part of the extra steps that are being taken to minimize the chance of an attack on the tourists.

 

At the same time, the cruise lines and the cruise ships, includng the captain are very conscious of the issue of pirates. And some of the more recent problems have increased not only awareness but military presence in some areas.

 

My own recommendation is in general to take tours through Seabourn.

 

Just a few additonal comments.

 

When you stop in Aqaba, I highly recommend seeing the Lost City of Petra. This has to be one of the most signficant areas we have seen in the world.

 

I am not sure your plans in Alexandria. It is a very interesting city with so much to see. The only negative is that some of the folks who try to sell items to tourists in the middle of the city are very agressive. And I do mean very agressive. So, don't even make eye contact with them. On the other hand those who try to sell items at the cruise ship terminal were very nice and easy to deal with. And, I would not recommend taking a horse and buggy ride in Alexandria. They set a price and all of a sudden when you are in the carriage and a few minutes into your trip things change.

 

This is a very interesting part of the world and it is wonderful that you will be able to visit it. Take it all in. Many places are truly amazing.

 

And as I would say in many places around the world be street smart and aware of all that is around you.

 

Keith

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cands

cands

Posted
Posted
Only 45 days until embarkation (but who is counting!!!).

 

Steve

 

Hi Steve (and Linda),

We're counting:) . Haven't been so excited about a cruise for years. See you soon.

 

Steve (and Chris)

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cands

cands

Posted
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I am not sure your plans in Alexandria. It is a very interesting city with so much to see. The only negative is that some of the folks who try to sell items to tourists in the middle of the city are very agressive. And I do mean very agressive. So, don't even make eye contact with them. On the other hand those who try to sell items at the cruise ship terminal were very nice and easy to deal with. And, I would not recommend taking a horse and buggy ride in Alexandria. They set a price and all of a sudden when you are in the carriage and a few minutes into your trip things change.

 

This is a very interesting part of the world and it is wonderful that you will be able to visit it. Take it all in. Many places are truly amazing.

 

And as I would say in many places around the world be street smart and aware of all that is around you.

 

Keith

 

The ship is in Alexandria for a day and a half.

We have booked 2 Seabourn tours. On the first day we do the 11.5 hour Cairo Museum/Pyramid/Sphinx tour. On the second day we've booked the only Seabourn tour available which is a quick drive around Alexandria. I think we'll have earned a rest with 2 days at sea following this!

 

Thanks for the tips about Alexandria.

 

Steve.

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hoya68

hoya68

Posted
Posted

Steve and Chris:

 

Linda and I will be arriving in Alexandria from Cairo the day before embarkation and will be joining friends who will be on the cruise. They have spent much time in Alexandria so we won't be joining any of the ship's excursions there. Look forward to seeing you on board!

 

Steve

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inquiring minds

inquiring minds

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It's reassuring to know that we are all thinking alike! Steve and I are really looking forward to our cruise and studying everything we can read to prepare. It should be a wonderful trip! I suppose my question to you all was simply to make sure that we were not being naive. With that settled, we have entered the countdown phase!;)

 

Just can't wait to meet you all in person. Which bar is the meeting place on board for Cruise Critic groupies?

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