goldesq

As I read it, the base outside of Izmir is small and not self-contained with personnel living off base, etc. If they pull US personnel from Southeast Turkey, there isn't a whole lot left for the Izmir baser to support. Probably just cost cutting.

They are pulling the US military and US government personnel out of SE Turkey not because of a cost cutting measures but because Americans are targets in that area. (Read the news).

see this CNN article:

 

http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/29/politics/pentagon-orders-military-families-to-leave-southern-turkey/index.html

 

"Family members will also be evacuated from facilities in Izmir and Mugla, according to a Pentagon statement."

 

I was giving my husband a hard time because he said he wasn't getting off the boat, but I think I will follow suit. I wish they would say something sooner rather than later about the changes.

 

Side note: If there is an extra day at sea, do you get a refund for the port fees for the port they eliminated?

The article said "will also" but that did not mean that it would be done today. I have not read anything saying this is being done immediately in Izmir and Mugla.

I did ask on another roll call about whether their stops in Kudasi were canceled. They leave on 4/15 and 4/25. I mentioned I was just curious and asking even though I am on another roll call. Someone thought I was starting a rumor. I cant win.

Today, the Pentagon pulled all U.S. military families out of Izmir. I am hoping they replace the port with something else, but I can't imagine they will stop there if it isn't considered safe for U.S. military families.

Where is the info about this? I did not think this was done yet.

June 27 - Reflection.

I would check the May 1 sailing of Vista and see what Carnival does. It might be a good indication of what other lines are doing. I wonder if there are any cruise lines sailing to that area before. If you do a little research and find out, then check the roll calls and see if people post about their itinerary changes.

If you hear of anything, come back here and let us know. I am sure we all would be interested.

US government just "ordered the departure of family members of U.S.

government personnel posted to U.S. Consulate in Adana and family

members of U.S. government civilians in Izmir and Mugla provinces..."

Turned out that Celebrity's Turkey port of calls Bodrum and Kusadasi are

in Mugla and Izmir provinces respectively. Wonder if Celebrity is going

to change their itineraries.. I am booked on one of those Celebrity cruises,

now I am having second thoughts..

Wiz:

when is your cruise?

Other Vista sailings include Dubrovnik (Croatia), Corfu, Sardinia, Palma de Mallorca.

 

Seems like if they were going to do a substitute they would switch to one of these...

Except that the stop has to be on the way to Athens and within a evenings travel. I am not too sure any of those are (or are they)?

We visited both Santorini & Mykonos recently aboard Celebrity Reflection 125 Tonnes, and we tendered in both, these ports were the highlight of our 10 day cruise.

And there is the answer. Tendering it is. Thanks Limpit.

I vote for either Mykonos or Santorini if Izmir is dropped. Unfortunately, Carnival is not calling me and asking for my input.

Limpit, did you travel to Athens the day before or after Santorini or Mykonos? Just checking to see if time-wise, its possible. I assume Mykonos is but wasnt sure about Santorini.

RCCL travels to Mykonos with their Radiance class (Jewel at 90K tonnage) and Vision class (70K) as does NCL with the Jade at 93K tonnage being the largest.

RCCL travels to Santorini with Jewel (and some smaller) at 90K and NCL goes with the Jade (90K) and other smaller ships.

I am guessing that we would have to tender to both ports.

The MSC MAGNIFICA was in Mykonos earlier today and she is only 95K tons

I hope they dont make it a sea day. I want to at least have the option of going somewhere. I am going to check to see if Mykonos ever had such a large ship dock there. My guess is no and it would involve a tender (to Santorini also). I would tend to think if they have to do tenders, they might skip it. Isnt that more work and expensive (even though they dont have to pay a fee for docking)? Dont tenders require different docking facilities than a ship? Maybe Mykynos and Santorini dont have that. Just thinking out loud.

The ones you named are probably most realistic options. We have been excited about the Turkey stop but over the last few months have began to see the writing on the wall. Today feels like it is what will ultimately make the decision for Carnival.

 

 

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RCCL and NCL stop at Santorini but the ships are a lot smaller. The NCL ships have 2400 pax and RCCL are even smaller (ie Brilliance stops at Santorini but its 90k tons). Vista is 133K tons.

The first sailing is just a little over a month away, so I don't think an announcement would be that far away. Assuming something changes.

 

 

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I am hoping for a port replacement (Mykonos maybe or Santorini but I am not sure if the port is big enough) and not a sea day. What are the options for a new port? There are so many options...its kind of exciting but I did want to go to Turkey (my cat is a Turkish Angora). LOL

This is the first bit of news that would really make me think Carnival will not stop in Izmir. I was really thinking people were exaggerating before but this news tends to make me think otherwise.

Im quite sure the port, if they choose not to stop there, will be replaced with another. I am guessing they wont make the announcement for a while though as conditions are so fluid. Also, I think they wont make an announcement so fast because the ship is new and having this news out sort of puts a bad taste in your mouth about their 'pride and joy'.

Personally, I will get off the ship in Izmir but I think I will now take a cruise ship excursion. It doesnt mean I will be more safe but if something does happen, at least the ship will have to wait for us if something does happen.

Yep. Just another reason to not waste time with a TA. You have an unnecessary middle man in your reservation and you are required to go through them for everything.

Except that my TA gave me $400 OBC and NCL did not..... for the same price/room.

Demographics: longer cruises always have a older crowd

Nightlife: for CCL cruises, its about the same but less Caribbean music playing near the pools and more of a range of music inside the ship since the passengers come from all over

Excursions: I tend to opt for private excursions so I cant say but I am sure they are good otherwise people would complain left and right

Long Lines: FTTF is not avl on Med cruises

Dress Code: CCL is more relaxed in all respects

Adrift on a Plague Ship: this isnt applicable since it goes no where near the 'piratey' areas of Africa...if you want to worry, consider Turkey as a worrisome spot (although I dont and am going on the Vista May 14 stopping in Turkey)

I've been looking to snag some of these gift cards for a while now. I'm use to seeing the Carnival Gift Cards as sold out. Now they aren't showing up at all. On the sidebar, under 'Cruise' it's now showing RCCL.

 

Does this usually happen every now and then, or is this an indication that they have dropped the Carnival giftcards?

 

Thanks,

Yes, the former. Read the thread.

I called today and it was a 750 and 1K pp to upgrade to the Haven Spa and Haven Courtyard. I am in a mini suite now and did not take the offer.

We used Valet Anywhere in NYC for a 10 day on March 2. Worked perfectly, they met us on the corner across from the terminal and took the car. Upon return, we disembarked walked across the street, alerted the White Suited Valet Anywhere guy and in 15 minutes, my car showed up. Tipped them $10 each way, and the cost was under $20 a day for parking fees. And only 4 miles on the car upon the return so they kept it close to the terminal. Wouldn't hesitate to use them again, unless crossing the street is an issue for you. Literally a 50 yard walk to the terminal from the corner.

If they put on 4 miles, and keeping in mind 20 blocks or so is a mile, they kept your car no where near the terminal. I would park it at the terminal and save yourself the hassle. It isnt worth the money you save.

Leaving on the Breakaway with the UBP in exactly 2 weeks and will do my best to get through the list! Thank you for creating it.

I think if the OP had been able to board they would have posted before sail away when they still had cell service.

 

 

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Some how I don't think the OP, of he was able to board the ship, was thinking, 'OMG I now need to post to Cruise Critic I was able to get on board'. Rather, I think he had a hefty drink or three, took a deep breath and relaxed.

For what purpose?

 

We see this type of post all the time, but I never see a post saying "I used my color-copy passport to board the ship."

 

I'm just not certain what a copy of a DL does for anyone.

 

The OP is in a rather unique position to to crush this copy of DL/passport nonsense once and for all. I hope they return to update the situation.

I also travel with these items. When I travel and lose the original passport, it is MUCH EASIER to get a copy of your passport issued in the country you are in then without a copy of the passport and DL. I am talking hours as compared to days. I know someone who didnt have a copy and had to stay overnight so the passport could be issued the next afternoon.

As for credit cards, if you lose a card or its stolen, its faster to have the correct phone number that's on the back (each type of card for each bank has its own (or several) phone numbers(s)). To even have the credit card number makes replacement/stopping the card faster when you call in. Imagine calling information (our 411) from a foreign country just to get the number for the credit card company then hanging up and calling the credit card company itself? Then, the rep has to ask you oodles of background questions to look up/ research what your card number actually is? Having all this info right at hand makes everything go faster. It helps also if you decide to file a police report to have that info handy as well if you go that route first.

Just received my Chef's Table confirmation for the transatlantic, which is also my husbands Milestone cruise, - lots of OBC!

 

We love doing the Chef's Table....:D

When did you email requesting the reservation?

Izmir is 324 miles from Ankara.As far as the question.....who knows? Carnival is the only one who knows and they are only saying that they are monitoring the situation and thus far there are no changes.

324 = hundreds and exactly what letsgo39 said, no one knows but Carnival.

As to the intial question.....why worry about something you have no control over anyway? If Turkey concerns you, dont get off the ship. Also, if it concerns you, a Mediterranean cruise might not have been a good choice. I bet Carnival won't be making that decision soon anyway. Things change quickly and they dont need the press now about canceling a port.

Do you think we will still go to Izmir after the latest attack ?

How would anyone here possibly know? Besides, Izmir is HUNDREDS of miles away.

Can we PLEASE keep this thread for updates when the cards are available only (or if someone has a question about the cards) and not just comments like my cruise is coming up and I need cards.....a lot of us, if not all, are getting notifications for this thread and just want to be notified when the card becomes available!