Thread: Costa Crociere changes 2011 Mediterranean Itineraries, replacing port calls in Egypt,

COSTA CROCIERE CHANGES 2011 MEDITERRANEAN ITINERARIES, REPLACING PORT CALLS IN EGYPT, TUNISIA AND Israel

(HOLLYWOOD, FLA.) – March 8, 2011 – Costa Crociere has announced the replacement of its calls in Tunisia, Egypt and Israel for the balance of 2011. While the Italian company values and appreciates the great appeal of these three countries as prime tourist destinations, due to recent events, Costa Crociere has decided to change the itineraries of all cruises that included calls to those countries. The changes will enable the company to efficiently plan and execute its complex technical and maritime operations for the entire season.

For the current 2011 season, all seven-day Mediterranean cruises of Costa Concordia, Costa Serena and Costa Magica that had a scheduled one-day call at Tunis, Tunisia, will be replaced with a one-day call at Malta, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, or Cagliari, Italy.

All Mediterranean itineraries with scheduled calls at Alexandria, Egypt, and Haifa and Ashdod, Israel, will be modified and offer alternative calls at Limassol, Cyprus; Rhodes, Greece; Marmaris, Turkey, or the newly added ports of Alanya and Antalya, Turkey.

All of the information on itinerary changes can be checked on costacruises.com, costaclick.com and through Costa partner travel agencies.

Costa Crociere’s highest priority is to ensure for all its guests a relaxing, worry-free experience, and the cruise line is trying to minimize any last-minute itinerary modifications.

Costa Cruises currently confirms all scheduled calls in Egypt, Tunisia and Israel for its 2012 program.

For more than 60 years Costa Cruises’ ships have sailed worldwide, offering the best in Italian style, hospitality and cuisine while providing holidays focused on fun and relaxation. The line’s 14 ships visit 250 destinations throughout the Mediterranean, northern Europe, the Baltic, Caribbean, South America, United Arab Emirates, Far East and Indian Ocean. Two new ships are on order from Fincantieri and will be delivered in 2011 and 2012.

Well it seems that Costa are not telling their clients what is going on! on another website there is a heated debate over the changes and the fact that they have not been communicated to people already booked on Holy Land cruises! I had our TA contact Costa on Monday regarding our Xmas cruise which includes Tunisia and Libya, the response from Costa was that the ships will still be going to these Two places!! which makes a mockery of what is posted above.

Below is an extract from smart traveller - the Government site for travellers. So you see-Costa management didn't sit down one monday morning - and decide to start a fight in the Middle East - funnily enough - they are victims along with other cruise lines - and of course the end users - yourselves.


Summary
Israel
• We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Israel at this time due to the high threat of terrorist attack. Attacks could occur at any time and anywhere in Israel.
• Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
• We strongly advise you not to travel to areas around the Gaza Strip in southern Israel due to the possibility of rocket fire, which has in the past reached as far as Be’er Sheva (40 km from the Gaza Strip).
• The security situation in the northern region could deteriorate without notice. The border region with Lebanon continues to be subject to violent incidents and sporadic rocket attacks.
• You should avoid protests, demonstrations and political rallies as they may turn violent.
Gaza Strip
• We strongly advise you not to travel to the Gaza Strip because of the extremely dangerous and unpredictable security situation.
• If you are in the Gaza Strip and are caught up in military action or civil disorder, you should remain in a secure location indoors and monitor the media for information. In such situations, we urge you to contact the Australian Embassy in Tel Aviv immediately.
• You must have permission from Egyptian authorities to use the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. This crossing may close for extended periods. You must also have permission from the Israeli authorities to use the Erez crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel. The crossing may be closed or access highly restricted for extended periods. See Entry and Exit Requirements for further information.
West Bank
• We strongly advise you not to travel to the West Bank (with the exception of East Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho and Ramallah and Route Nos. 1, 90 and 443) because of the dangerous and unpredictable security situation.
• We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Bethlehem, Jericho and Ramallah due to the unstable security situation.
• We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in East Jerusalem and on the following routes in the West Bank: Route No. 1 (between Jerusalem and the Jordan valley), Route No. 90 (in the Jordan valley), and Route No. 443 (between Modi’in and Jerusalem).
• If, despite our advice not to do so, you decide to travel to the Gaza Strip and parts the West Bank covered by our “Do not travel” warning, you should be aware that the ability of the Australian Government to provide consular services to Australians in these areas is extremely limited.
• In light of the very high threat of terrorist activity, possible military action and other violent incidents in Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, we strongly recommend that you register your travel and contact details with us, so we can contact you in an emergency.

Summary
•We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Egypt because of the unsettled security situation and the high threat of terrorist attack.
•If you are currently in Egypt and hold concerns for your safety you should consider leaving. If you decide to remain in Egypt, you should exercise extreme caution. You should avoid all demonstrations and protests as they may turn violent and closely monitor media for information on events and developments that may affect your security and safety.
•Following violent demonstrations at locations across Egypt, including Cairo, Alexandria and Suez, ex-President Mubarak resigned and transferred power to the Armed Forces on 11 February 2011. The security situation remains unsettled and demonstrations could occur at any time, including after Friday prayers.
•On 8 March 2011, there were sectarian clashes in Cairo in which at least 10 people were killed and over a hundred injured. On 10 March 2011, there were violent confrontations in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.
•Register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency. If you need consular assistance, contact the Australian Embassy in Cairo on +20 2 575 0444 or the Consular Emergency Centre in Canberra on +61 2 6261 3305.
•Civil policing has been uncertain since late January 2011 and self protection groups have formed in some areas. The army is on the streets of the main towns. Arson and looting have occurred.
•A curfew is currently in place in Egypt between midnight and 6am. These hours are subject to change. You should respect curfew provisions and follow the advice of local authorities.
•You may experience occasional disruptions to communications networks.
•Australians in Egypt should pay close attention to their personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety and security risks.
•We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
•Terrorist attacks could occur at anytime, anywhere in Egypt, including in tourist areas. For a list of possible targets, see Safety and Security: Terrorism. Some past attacks have coincided with local holiday weekends.
•On 1 January 2011 a bomb exploded outside a Christian church in Alexandria, resulting in a number of fatalities. Australians should be aware that Islamist extremists have made threats against Coptic churches in Egypt.