Istanbul

In light of today's news of an ISIS bomb going off in the tourist area and killing 10 German tourists, will this change your travel plans? There is a thread on the Oceania board about this. While we had no concerns back in September when we were in Istanbul, it sounds as if ISIS is now targeting tourists. Must admit that we do have concerns (but realize that Regent is on top of the situation).

The July 13, 2016 cruise on the Navigator was originally scheduled as Barcelona - Istanbul and we were quite interested in that itinerary - then they changed it from Barcelona - Haifa and we were no longer interested. I love Istanbul and would go back in a heartbeat. I found it interesting that Regent changed a number of Istanbul dockings.

As someone who watched the tragedy of 9/11 from my building knowing that I was scheduled to be at the World Trade Center later on that day, I made the decision that I cannot and will not cave in to the terrorists - if we do, they win. Am I careful, you bet I am. I live in the city considered ground zero for terrorism and I am always very aware of my surroundings. But I absolutely refuse to be "locked up in my apt" and not enjoy not only the city which I call home, but cities around the world.

gnomie :)

Very sad to hear of this. We do not have any travel plans currently involving Istanbul, but it is a city we have visited many times and truly enjoy.

This is very sad and distressing and very sorry to hear innocent people were impacted. Unfortunately it is not isolated to any one city and the future will bring more of these terrible events.

I will say that I am in the vast minority re Istanbul and would not rush to return even under peaceful circumstances. After much hype, Istanbul was a let down. Once you saw the main sights (easy to do in 1day), I found the city grimy, the people annoying (especially the men harassing you to dine in their restaurants) and the predominance of the male dominated culture quite off putting. Personally I would not return, and would welcome a change of port for em/dis embarkation for the major luxury lines.

About a month ago we canceled our plans to take a cruise that began in Istanbul, so yes, problems in the middle east have affected our travel.

Regent does not have a Seal Team 6 and cannot guarantee the safety of passengers when they are ashore.

At the moment, I agree with post #15 on this thread http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2299641. We have yet to avoid anywhere in the world because of terrorism, Ebola or for any other reason. However, it is wise to take some care. We would go to Istanbul again (nothing planned as we were just there - shortly after bombings) but would not want to spend the night in a hotel or go to tourist areas. Perhaps this is because we have been to Istanbul four times and have seen everything that we have wanted to see. On the other hand, it was concerning that on the same September cruise, some crew members felt uneasy in Jerusalem and we were very aware of tanks and machine guns in Alexandria. Regent buses not only needed an escort but also armed guards on the bus.

IMO, there is no easy answer to this. After our very positive experience with Egyptian women and children in Alexandria - where they were genuinely welcoming us to Egypt - introducing themselves and their children to us..... it makes me profoundly sad that this is not a place that we plan on returning to because of the level of terrorism. I hope that this does not become the case in Turkey, Greece and other countries that are experiencing difficulties through no fault of their own.

I live in New Jersey and could see the twin towers burning. The next two weeks, NYC was a ghost town - where did we go to NYC! The restaurants were empty and very happy to see us! I can only hope that by the time we get on the Explorer in October that we can actually go to Instabul,Israel, Egypt and Greece! The ship can't circle at sea for 11 days can it? Has the Regent ever changed all the ports?

We cancelled Athens to Istanbul on Explorer about two month ago. The Middle East is too unstable now to explore, IMO. We booked China/Japan instead on Voyager. I'll take air pollution over random killing of tourists.

I am so sorry to see what is happening in Turkey right now. This country has always been welcoming and beautiful to me and I love the people and their history. What happened in Istanbul was tragic and my heart goes out to the families involved.

Right now we are booked on the Oct 2016 cruise out of Istanbul and have 8 people going. Last night 3 of those going mentioned their concerns and thoughts of cancelling. For now the rest of us are just watching and waiting - this trip has been a bucket list item for some and I just pray things calm down.

I was booked on the 18 night Istanbul to Venice cruise in September on the Navigator, but we decided to change the cruise a couple of months ago to a different itinerary. Really sad what is happening lately, but for now we did change our travel plans for the area.

The July 13, 2016 cruise on the Navigator was originally scheduled as Barcelona - Istanbul and we were quite interested in that itinerary - then they changed it from Barcelona - Haifa and we were no longer interested.

My wife and I are on this cruise - we booked before the change and decided to stay with it even though it was a DRASTIC change from the original. My wife was upset about the bombing in Istanbul because of the photos - we have pictures of both of us in that exact spot just a few years ago. But I agree - you can't quit living life because of things that 'might' happen.

When I was in the military and stationed in Germany, I was affected by three different bombings, one is a place I had visited earlier that day, and two in buildings/areas I had been just two days prior...I increased my vigilance, of course, but I didn't quit enjoying my time there.

It's normal to be concerned, but I'm sure that statistically you're more likely to have an issue getting to your vacation than you are at your vacation. It does diminish your enjoyment somewhat, but I for one am not going to let a fear of terrorism keep me from visiting places I've always wanted to see. (And this might be an ironic post if anything happens to me in Israel this summer, huh?) :D

It's normal to be concerned, but I'm sure that statistically you're more likely to have an issue getting to your vacation than you are at your vacation. It does diminish your enjoyment somewhat, but I for one am not going to let a fear of terrorism keep me from visiting places I've always wanted to see. (And this might be an ironic post if anything happens to me in Israel this summer, huh?) :D

Don't worry too much - Israel has to be one of the safest countries in the world due to their advanced technology and extremely tough security. We went to Egypt and Israel on the same cruise last September. While tanks and heavy duty weapons were visible everywhere in Egypt, they were not in Israel because they can do surveillance without having to be obvious about it. Not seeing guns/tanks everywhere while knowing that we were no doubt safer in Israel than in Egypt was nice.

Have a great cruise!

Saw pictures of where the bombing took place.

In 2013 we spent 3 days before our Mariner Istanbul to Rome cruise in this area.

Stayed at a hotel close by. Walked in this area many times during the 3 days.

Very disturbing.

Last October we stood in that very square. We stayed nearby and walked the area both daytime and evening. I must say it was upsetting to see the news.

I have spent the last several days trying to decide where we wanted to cruise this fall. I had come to the conclusion just last night that Europe did not feel right for us this year. Airport security has become quite cumbersome (As it needs to be) especially if it is not a non-stop flight. Add to that is what I see as an increased threat risk. I understand it can happen anywhere as we live 50 miles from the San Bernadino mass attack but I believe some areas provide more risk then others.

We are not shrinking violets as we just had a wonderful cruise in the Middle East on Regent in the late fall. We felt safe at all times including Istanbul but it feels different now. I do hope Regent will find some other itineraries as we love to be on their ships. We will be on the Mariner in March in the Carribbean but there are limits to how often we can keep repeating that.

Hey Regent how about the South Pacific from Los Angeles?

If the insurance company that insures the ship allows it to go, I'll be on it. They have a better understanding of the risk than I do.

Don't worry too much - Israel has to be one of the safest countries in the world due to their advanced technology and extremely tough security. We went to Egypt and Israel on the same cruise last September. While tanks and heavy duty weapons were visible everywhere in Egypt, they were not in Israel because they can do surveillance without having to be obvious about it. Not seeing guns/tanks everywhere while knowing that we were no doubt safer in Israel than in Egypt was nice.

 

Have a great cruise!

I also am not concerned about Isarel. Istanbul is still on our bucket list and we will do it. People who have visited loved it and the people. I am not going to live in fear and lock myself in the closet. None of the cruise lines are going to put you in harms way intentionally. Regent is quite aware of world situations that change from day to day and perhaps alter a port as a precaution.

I also am not concerned about Isarel. Istanbul is still on our bucket list and we will do it. People who have visited loved it and the people. I am not going to live in fear and lock myself in the closet. None of the cruise lines are going to put you in harms way intentionally. Regent is quite aware of world situations that change from day to day and perhaps alter a port as a precaution.

We spent 4 wonderful nights and days in Istanbul in October, 2015, to be followed by an Aegean cruise (Turkey and Greece). We walked almost daily through the same area as the explosion. As usual, the people, the food, the sights and smells (like the spice market) were wonderful. Security was every where, and most often in excellent disguise (you have to know what to look for). I would return, no sweat.

I am sorry for the tourists and their families, as well as well as for all those folks who make their living supporting the tourist trade.

The U.S. Government did put out a travel advisory for Istanbul on January 12th. It suggests avoiding the area around the Blue Mosque which is a major tourist area. So, IMO, if you have not been to Istanbul before and it is your primary reason for booking the cruise, I would consider cancelling.

For people like us that have seen the wonderful sights in Sultanahmet Square, we simply would not visit there during these uncertain times. The security in Istanbul is already very tight but it did not stop the bombing. If my memory is correct, Israel had many suicide bombers for a while and it took a while to get them under control.

People react differently to terrorist threats/incidents. After "9/11" we started avoiding U.S. airlines and fly out of Canada whenever possible (only partly related to the threats - we do like British Airway, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, etc. better than United, Alaska or American). Now, 13 1/2 years after "9/11" we have two trips planned out of SEA and will be using Alaska and American airlines (one trip is to NYC - will definitely be holding my breath upon landing and take-off but are still going).

Most importantly, I do trust Regent in terms of cancelling ports that are deemed truly unsafe.

I try and look at these things from a purely numeric standpoint - when you look at the number of tourists who visit any particular site, then compare it to the number of people who are hurt or killed at that same site, the numbers are infinitesimally small. I'd say statistically you're more likely to have a serious accident at home than at the hands of a crazed individual at a tourist site.

Just my opinion. It's not going to keep me home.

We cruised through the Middle East embarking in Turkey late Fall, 2015. One of our ports of call was Haifa for a three days visit to Israel. It was the highlight of our trip and I would gladly repeat this wonderful itinerary.

We felt safe at all times and trusted Regent to make decisions in the best interest of every guest. The trust was well-placed.

Go...enjoy yourself! Life is short and trouble can just as easily be around the corner from you. Regent will take you to the most delightful places, enriching your life.

I can't wait to read about your exciting adventures!

Marcia

I try and look at these things from a purely numeric standpoint - when you look at the number of tourists who visit any particular site, then compare it to the number of people who are hurt or killed at that same site, the numbers are infinitesimally small. I'd say statistically you're more likely to have a serious accident at home than at the hands of a crazed individual at a tourist site.

 

Just my opinion. It's not going to keep me home.

Very true. There is at least one shooting every day in Tulsa, usually more than that, and I live here. One of my friends was attacked and beat up (by 2 female teenagers) coming out of church last week.

While I "get" what people are posting about crime in their own cities, etc., I wonder how many people go to places for vacation in the U.S. that have a high crime rate? We are going to the outskirts of Los Angeles this weekend (where I was raised) and I know that I'll be uncomfortable in certain situations. When we lived there it was not unusual to hear on Monday how many people were murdered over the weekend (not a small number).

By the same token, while we are not afraid of parts of Cairo, Alexandria, Istanbul and some other places that have had recent terrorist problems, I learned that it can be uncomfortable being around a lot of machine guns and tanks (Alexandria) and wondering if there will be problems. When Regent cancelled the port of Lesbos in September, it wasn't out of fear of passengers being targeted but the port area was a bit of a mess from thousands of refugees.

Our cruises later this year include stops in Rome and Barcelona -- two cities with high pickpocket issues -- passengers do need to pay attention to themselves and their belongings. While this is not necessarily dangerous, I do find myself more stressed in these cities than in most other places in Italy and Spain. If you wonder why we are going there, it is simply because we want to sail on the Explorer and, in the case of Rome, won't actually visit the city but will take transportation directly to the Port of Civitavecchia.

Everyone has to do what they are comfortable with. For now, if Regent goes to a port that we will not be relaxed in, we'll simply stay on the ship. IMO, being on the ship is a great vacation -- even if you don't step foot off of it.

After today, it may be a long time before Istanbul is put back on thee ships schedules; especially for embarkation/debarkation.

Sad to see,

Marc

and if this is true, this puts a crimp on plans. For us, we are sad as we left a lot of old time friends there. People we care about and have know for years. We will return to Europe in 2016 on Explorer, but not Istanbul at this time. I find it fascinating there. Just sad what is happening in this world.

Heartbreaking. I posted a long post today on FB regarding our many visits there and all the good memories. I feel so sorry for those whose livelihood is tourism dependent.