Suez Canal passage-safe?

Anyone know where I can find more info about Suez Canal warnings? Checked the State Dept site but no info. Was about to book the Quantam from BCN to Dubai next month but the ship comes very close to Adan in Yemen where there is ongoing air strikes by the Saudis and rising tensions. Not worried about Dubai, just passing through Yemen...

I would trust RCL's judgement if it is safe or not.

This has to be the guest's own judgment. I would not trust any government opinion, corporate opinion, or politician's opinion. Personally, I would not go anywhere near the Suez canal in the near future.

Rick

Edited April 6, 2015 by Pumbaamd

With the chaos over there, I consider the entire area unsafe for Americans. They really do hate us. I don't think the potential sightseeing is worth putting myself into an area where we KNOW they are out to get us!

I've said it once and I'll say it again, it's only a matter of time until a cruise ship is attacked. Could even happen in the Caribbean, but I figure the chances are better over there!!!

And then we will get to watch the movie they make after it happens:rolleyes:

I've said it once and I'll say it again, it's only a matter of time until a cruise ship is attacked. Could even happen in the Caribbean, but I figure the chances are better over there!!!

 

I do have concerns about the "crazies" out there. Cruise ships are such easy targets. I have asked about what RCL is doing about security at several 'Captains Corners' and always get the same comments. "We can not talk about what security procedures are...."

 

As I see it, it would be relatively easy for some terrorist group to get 50 or so people on-board by just buying a ticket or attacking the ship from external boats and getting on-board.

 

I would like to see the security people armed (or have easy access to) with machine guns like the airports in Europe. A heavy calibre gun mounted on the bow that could sink an attacking boat would be a really 'feel-good' sight also.

There is a popular Suez Canal cruise - (Dubai to Istanbul ) on the Rhapsody next month. The ship sails for 4 days up the Red Sea and then a day passage through the Suez Canal. There is no ship stop during these 5 days and certainly no tours in that area. We are booked on this sailing and have no specific fear for this itinerary. There are one or two ports on the 15 night cruise that we will take the sponsored RCI excursions, rather than a private tour, but even on Caribbean cruises there are a few ports that we prefer a ship tour.

 

No one on the thread has expressed any concern for the itinerary.

 

M

 

I would like to see the security people armed (or have easy access to) with machine guns like the airports in Europe. A heavy calibre gun mounted on the bow that could sink an attacking boat would be a really 'feel-good' sight also.

 

OMFG!!!

You want ships with guns on seriously JOIN THE NAVY!!!

Some people just get too excited too easily.

 

Stay at home, fluffy slippers, cotton wool wrapped bedding, electric fence, infra red security cameras, bomb shelter, gas masks and a food reserve for a year just in case.

Don't forget. The barb wire fence and 60mm gun on each corner.

Be safe !!!

 

Someone really does want to make a movie before an event happens.

Happy Days!!

Edited April 6, 2015 by PompeySailor

OMFG!!!

You want ships with guns on seriously JOIN THE NAVY!!!

Some people just get too excited too easily.

 

Stay at home, fluffy slippers, cotton wool wrapped bedding, electric fence, infra red security cameras, bomb shelter, gas masks and a food reserve for a year just in case.

Don't forget. The barb wire fence and 60mm gun on each corner.

Be safe !!!

 

Someone really does want to make a movie before and event happens.

Happy Days!!

 

They said the same things about a terrorist attack on the World Trade Center BEFORE IT HAPPENED..... I would prefer to be adaquately prepared for the worst BEFORE it happens. That said, maybe RCL is prepared for the worst now. They are not talking....

If you have to question it, I say skip it. I've been to the red sea and it is beautiful, but there are other beautiful places you don't need to check the state department advisory. If it's not Yemen, you have Somali pirates from the other side of the gulf of Aden. Not to mention Sudan has issues and extremists from Egypt have attacked tourists in the past. What about the next leg from Dubai east?

They said the same things about a terrorist attack on the World Trade Center BEFORE IT HAPPENED..... I would prefer to be adaquately prepared for the worst BEFORE it happens. That said, maybe RCL is prepared for the worst now. They are not talking....

 

It wouldn't be very wise for a company to publicly announce their security plans for events that have not happened.

Otherwise it might give people ideas in finding flaws in their security:rolleyes:

They said the same things about a terrorist attack on the World Trade Center BEFORE IT HAPPENED..... I would prefer to be adaquately prepared for the worst BEFORE it happens. That said, maybe RCL is prepared for the worst now. They are not talking....

 

 

Hopefully you are prepared for a Nuclear war that people have said for years will happen.;)

This is a far-fetched idea.

 

Maybe the quantum will be followed by an escort of navy ships...

Or hire private security personal for this stretch with guns. (watch a show on Cruise Ship Diaries)

 

Check out this link

http://www.express.co.uk/expressyourself/241385/Pirate-proof-cruise-ship

 

Ask anyone who has done the Suez canal transit on any RCL ships going through..They might be able to tell you something... Anyone?

Edited April 6, 2015 by WaveSplasher

This is a far-fetched idea.

 

Maybe the quantum will be followed by an escort of navy ships...

Or hire private security personal for this stretch with guns. (watch a show on Cruise Ship Diaries)

 

Check out this link

http://www.express.co.uk/expressyourself/241385/Pirate-proof-cruise-ship

 

Ask anyone who has done the Suez canal transit on any RCL ships going through..They might be able to tell you something... Anyone?

I went through on the Mariner repo. Private security boarded the ship with "Security boxes" Many lookouts were posted all curtains had to be drawn at night and no one was allowed on the outside decks. They also had a drill beforehand where all passengers went into save areas inside the ship.

I'm on the Rhapsody Repo too next month and will be blogging live.

 

I'll let you know how it goes.

 

I'm a Londoner. We've had a number of bomb attacks in the city over the years. Didn't stop me using public transport or visiting places of interest.

 

Linda

We are on the Quantum Barcelona to Dubai next month and have every confidence in RCI judgement. 2 years ago we did Legend Singapore to Dubai. Next leg was Dubai to Rome. We were told that additional security personnel would join ship and precautions taken. I am sure that will happen next month. My scariest ever cruise moment was being on an open trolley bus in Mazaplan in Mexico which drove through a gun battle between drug gangs.

Totally agree with last poster

Thanks everyone. I think I have my answer. I have travelled the world without incident. This trip was to take my 5 year old twins on a European history trip for 2 months before they start Kindergarten and I am traveling without husband on this leg. My only concern is the very end of the canal where the Yemen port of Aden is under air strikes and bombings. It seems the ship passes very close to this area and would only be worried about 'accidental' trouble (i.e, passenger jet over Ukraine is shot down). This is a very small section of a wonderful 16 day cruise but the violence has been escalating in Yemen. Maybe a flight directly to Dubai is more fitting in my *personal* situation. Thanks for the helpful comments. I wish anyone traveling that wonderful route has a safe and pleasant journey.

Wavesplasher, that is a good article. It makes me more comfortable with cruising in foreign ports. I know that cruise lines also now take your picture for an ID and also screen all bags before reboarding.

We were on the Quantum of the seas from Barcelona to Dubai. May 13th to 29th

 

We had extra security on the ship for the 4 days of passing through the Gulf of Aden.

 

We did have a Safe Haven drill similar to life boat drill (this was incase it was needed) In the unlikely event that there was a problem we were to go to inside hallway, the theatre or anyplace that there were no windows.

 

 

At night from dusk to dawn each night we were asked to close our drapes in our balcony staterooms. The 5th deck and 15 deck only had no outside lighting. So people were asked not to go their for safety sake (dark)

The windjammer restaurant was open and had all the lights on deck 14

 

All decks and activities were available in daylight hours.

Wow, there are a few on this thread posting opinion on places they've never been and, with their attitudes, are never likely to go!!!

 

Dangerous?

Yes.

The most dangerous part is on the Inter-state heading for your US airport. It's many times more likely that you'll be rear-ended there than being involved in some terrorist attack in the Suez or Red Sea.

 

BTW it's not just an American thing. We Brits aren't exactly flavour-of-the-month either, nor are the French or the Danes or any number of other countries.

 

Each to their own, but you can't hold an opinion based on sensationalist media and American propaganda. We've received nothing but kindness throughout the middle-east, and so have the many Americans that we've met.

 

Just MHO, as always.

But HO based on experience, not hysteria

 

JB :)

Edited June 4, 2015 by John Bull

This might be worth a bump. In the last few months the Islamic state have secured a presence not only in Sirte (a port City in Libya which is directly in the med & not a million miles from Malta/Italy) but more importantly in Sinai which is land belonging to Egypt & very close to the Suez canal itself.

 

I do appreciate extra measures that cruiselines take but we are dealing with extremists who now have access to long range modern weapons & who are happy commiting suicide if it means killing people of other religions at the same time.

 

I personally feel it is only a matter of time before there is an incident involving a cruise ship.

So now I've transited the Suez Canal heading north. We were 'supervised' the whole length and had armed security on board during the transit from Oman through the Gulf of Aden. Stopped briefly at Port Said then on to Ashdod.

 

We sailed away early from Ashdod leaving 4 behind. There had been a missile attack on Ashdod whilst we were in port. I was on deck at the time heard the bang and the sirens.

 

Shrug.

 

Par for the course. Was way more nervous in Istanbul where there were demonstrations.

Did they leave 4 passengers behind??

There were passengers still ashore. Our next port of call was Haifa, same country. They were accommodated and taken up the following day.