The situation in Israel also has an impact on cruises that should dock in that country. Several shipping companies have decided that the planned stops will be canceled or replaced by ones in other countries.
The providers Tui Cruises and MSC have decided that due to the tense situation in the Middle East, the ports of Haifa and Ashdod will not be visited until further notice. Instead, alternatives in Greece and Turkey will be included in the program.
For example, instead of docking in Israel, Tui Cruises will do so on the island of Santorini and Marmaris, Turkey. This applies to trips in the near future. The others are currently in the planning phase. Upon request, the company assures that it will proactively contact the affected passengers.
The competitor MSC will also not dock in Haifa this Thursday, October 12, 2023. The ship Musica has already changed course and docked in Cyprus instead of Israel. You will then continue your journey to Antalya. The further stops planned in the currently war-torn state will be replaced by stops in Rhodes and Marmaris as well as Bodrum. This company also wants to proactively inform passengers about the necessary changes.
The two cruise providers are just exemplary examples, as numerous competitors have also decided not to sail to Israeli ports for security reasons. How long this measure lasts will depend primarily on developments in the security situation, which is considered extremely tense following the major attack by Hamas terrorists. No assessments can currently be made in this regard.
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