What are the odds HAL will drop Tunisia in October?

[whogo]

The US Department of State has warned US citizens of the risks of travel to Tunisia since October, 2012. This updated warning mentions a February assassination: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5903.html There is no mention of the more recent assassination. I am surprised that HAL has not announced a port change on the Ryndam 10/19/2013 sailing. Is there a prayer that Holland America will call on Tunisia in October?

[cruisemom42]

I think it will depend how things go in Tunisia over the next month or so. HAL has called there (as have other lines) sporadically since the advisory came out, but they have also cancelled some port calls to Tunisia when there have been issues like the two assassinations.

 

Just having a travel advisory out doesn't automatically mean the cruiseline will cancel a specific port -- just look at Israel, for example.

[whogo]

We are talking about a Travel Warning for Tunisia, not a Travel Alert. Has HAL called on Tunisia since October, 2012?

 

 

Travel Alerts

 

We issue Travel Alerts for short-term events we think you should know about when planning travel to a country. Examples of reasons for issuing a Travel Alert might include an election season that is bound to have many strikes, demonstrations, disturbances; a health alert like an outbreak of H1N1; or evidence of an elevated risk of terrorist attacks. When these short-term events are over, we cancel the Travel Alert.

Travel Warnings

 

We issue a Travel Warning when we want you to consider very carefully whether you should go to a country at all. Examples of reasons for issuing a Travel Warning might include unstable government, civil war, or ongoing intense crime or violence, or frequent terrorist attacks. We want you to know the risks of traveling to these places and to strongly consider not going to them at all. Travel Warnings remain in place until the situation changes; some have been in effect for years.

From http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis_pa_tw_1168.html

[cruisemom42]

I'm sorry, I used the wrong term. Israel also has a travel warning, as does Mexico. Yet cruises still stop in these places .... when and where it is considered safe. In other words, it is not a blanket 'no go'.

 

Yes, I believe HAL has called on Tunisia since last October. I seem to remember someone posting a few months ago saying they were glad to have gotten there when they did.

 

Other lines also call on Tunisia; we had two stops in Tunisia on a cruise there last November.

[cruisemom42]

Here's a post from someone who visited Tunisia on Ryndam in March of this year:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=38367649&postcount=11

[KirkNC]

One of the drivers for HAL and other lines in going to Tunisia is the fuel cost. The fuel in Tunisia is significantly lower than most other ports (at least that is what the captain of the Noordam told us). While there the ship will fill up on fuel.

[Krazy Kruizers]

It is difficult to predict what HAL will do in October.

But you can be certain that Seattle is monitoring the situation every day and will do whatever they have to do to protect all the passengers.

[whogo]

Thanks to all, very reassuring.

[bishop84]

One of the drivers for HAL and other lines in going to Tunisia is the fuel cost. The fuel in Tunisia is significantly lower than most other ports (at least that is what the captain of the Noordam told us). While there the ship will fill up on fuel.

 

I have been to La Goulette on HAL several times and have never seen bunkering of fuel there. Is it possible that you mean another port such as Piraeus or Barcelona? If La Goulette was the fuelling port then it would be much harder to miss as the Noordam has done on her recent cruises, including the charters.

[sail7seas]

I just heard U.S. announced it is closing embassies throughout the middle east. The list includes about 10+ countries so it seems highly likely HAL (and probably most cruiselines carrying North Americans) will not be visiting very much in that region.

 

[innlady1]

We are scheduled to stop in Tunisia in October while on the Nieuw Amsterdam. I'm watching, too....

[cruisemom42]

The scheduled closing of embassies is only for August 4 due to a specific threat. (I also don't believe the Tunisia embassy is on the list of scheduled closures; however, it could be that they are closed on Sunday anyway.)

 

Re: cheap fuel -- I've heard the same thing about Tunisia and fuel, but perhaps HAL doesn't bunker fuel there any longer due to the uncertainty of making that particular port of call.

[sail7seas]

The scheduled closing of embassies is only for August 4 due to a specific threat. (I also don't believe the Tunisia embassy is on the list of scheduled closures; however, it could be that they are closed on Sunday anyway.)

 

Re: cheap fuel -- I've heard the same thing about Tunisia and fuel, but perhaps HAL doesn't bunker fuel there any longer due to the uncertainty of making that particular port of call.

 

 

Yes, that is correct.

 

I would venture not too many cruise lines are eager to hurry to those countries in the near future. One would think this only lends more possibility/probability upcoming stops in those ports will be seriously reconsidered.

 

A one day closing because of specific threats only lends more concern about volatility in the region.

 

You couldn't pay me enough to go there now but everyone can choose for themselves.

 

 

[Copper10-8]

Ryndam does not bunker in La Goulette, Tunesia; she will take on fuel in Piraeus, Greece.

The 19 Oct 13 voyage on Ryndam does not go to Tunesia:

14 19 Oct 2013 Piraeus (Athens), Greece 08:00 AM 04:30 PM 15 20 Oct 2013 Katakolon, Greece 10:00 AM 06:00 PM 16 21 Oct 2013 Kerkira, Corfu, Greece 08:00 AM 04:30 PM 17 22 Oct 2013 Kotor, Montenegro 08:00 AM 11:00 PM 18 23 Oct 2013 Dubrovnik, Croatia 08:00 AM 05:00 PM 19 24 Oct 2013 At Sea 20 25 Oct 2013 Naples, Italy 08:00 AM 06:00 PM 21 26 Oct 2013 Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy 07:00 AM

 

 

 

[whogo]

Ryndam does not bunker in La Goulette, Tunesia; she will take on fuel in Piraeus, Greece.

 

The 19 Oct 13 voyage on Ryndam does not go to Tunesia:

 

14 19 Oct 2013 Piraeus (Athens), Greece 08:00 AM 04:30 PM 15 20 Oct 2013 Katakolon, Greece 10:00 AM 06:00 PM 16 21 Oct 2013 Kerkira, Corfu, Greece 08:00 AM 04:30 PM 17 22 Oct 2013 Kotor, Montenegro 08:00 AM 11:00 PM 18 23 Oct 2013 Dubrovnik, Croatia 08:00 AM 05:00 PM 19 24 Oct 2013 At Sea 20 25 Oct 2013 Naples, Italy 08:00 AM 06:00 PM 21 26 Oct 2013 Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy 07:00 AM

 

 

 

I am considering a 29 day cruise. The Tunisia stop must be part of a 10/28/2013 seven day cruise from Civitavecchia to Barcelona.

[Copper10-8]

I am considering a 29 day cruise. The Tunisia stop must be part of a 10/28/2013 seven day cruise from Civitavecchia to Barcelona.

 

28 OCT 13 it is; - Nice itinerary!

 

View Shore Excursions Email this ebrochure DayDatePortArriveDepart0 19 Oct 2013 Piraeus (Athens), Greece 04:30 PM 1 20 Oct 2013 Katakolon, Greece 10:00 AM 06:00 PM 2 21 Oct 2013 Kerkira, Corfu, Greece 08:00 AM 04:30 PM 3 22 Oct 2013 Kotor, Montenegro 08:00 AM 11:00 PM 4 23 Oct 2013 Dubrovnik, Croatia 08:00 AM 05:00 PM 5 24 Oct 2013 At Sea 6 25 Oct 2013 Naples, Italy 08:00 AM 06:00 PM 7 26 Oct 2013 Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy 07:00 AM 04:00 PM 8 27 Oct 2013 Palermo, Sicily, Italy 10:00 AM 06:00 PM 9 28 Oct 2013 La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia 08:00 AM 06:00 PM 10 29 Oct 2013 At Sea 11 30 Oct 2013 Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy 07:00 AM 07:00 PM 12 31 Oct 2013 Monte Carlo, Monaco 08:00 AM 06:00 PM 13 01 Nov 2013 Marseille (Provence), France 07:00 AM 04:00 PM 14 02 Nov 2013 Barcelona, Spain 07:00 AM 04:00 PM 15 03 Nov 2013 At Sea 16 04 Nov 2013 Malaga, Spain 08:00 AM 06:00 PM 17 05 Nov 2013 Cadiz (Seville), Spain 07:00 AM 05:00 PM 18 06 Nov 2013 Lisbon, Portugal 09:00 AM 05:00 PM 19 07 Nov 2013 At Sea 20 08 Nov 2013 At Sea 21 09 Nov 2013 At Sea 22 10 Nov 2013 At Sea 23 11 Nov 2013 At Sea 24 12 Nov 2013 At Sea 25 13 Nov 2013 At Sea 26 14 Nov 2013 At Sea 27 15 Nov 2013 Half Moon Cay, Bahamas TR 08:00 AM 03:00 PM 28 16 Nov 2013 At Sea 29 17 Nov 2013 Tampa, Florida, US 07:00 AM

 

 

 

 

[sail7seas]

Wow, that's a great itinerary. Nice!!!

 

We've been to many of those ports but I'd particularly like to return to Florence, Cadiz, Malaga and Lisbon.

 

Not going to happen for us, at least not now, but happy for those who will do that sailing.

 

[KirkNC]

I have been to La Goulette on HAL several times and have never seen bunkering of fuel there. Is it possible that you mean another port such as Piraeus or Barcelona? If La Goulette was the fuelling port then it would be much harder to miss as the Noordam has done on her recent cruises, including the charters.

 

If they miss it they would simply take fuel on elsewhere. The captain of the Norrdam told us it was for fuel in 2011. We actually went twice on a B2B. The topic came up during the "meet the captain" deal in the theatre. People were basically asking why they stop there as many did not enjoy the stop.

[KirkNC]

The scheduled closing of embassies is only for August 4 due to a specific threat. (I also don't believe the Tunisia embassy is on the list of scheduled closures; however, it could be that they are closed on Sunday anyway.)

 

Re: cheap fuel -- I've heard the same thing about Tunisia and fuel, but perhaps HAL doesn't bunker fuel there any longer due to the uncertainty of making that particular port of call.

 

Very possibly as my comments were based on 2011.

[whogo]

28 OCT 13 it is; - Nice itinerary!

 

View Shore Excursions Email this ebrochure DayDatePortArriveDepart0 19 Oct 2013 Piraeus (Athens), Greece 04:30 PM 1 20 Oct 2013 Katakolon, Greece 10:00 AM 06:00 PM 2 21 Oct 2013 Kerkira, Corfu, Greece 08:00 AM 04:30 PM 3 22 Oct 2013 Kotor, Montenegro 08:00 AM 11:00 PM 4 23 Oct 2013 Dubrovnik, Croatia 08:00 AM 05:00 PM 5 24 Oct 2013 At Sea 6 25 Oct 2013 Naples, Italy 08:00 AM 06:00 PM 7 26 Oct 2013 Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy 07:00 AM 04:00 PM 8 27 Oct 2013 Palermo, Sicily, Italy 10:00 AM 06:00 PM 9 28 Oct 2013 La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia 08:00 AM 06:00 PM 10 29 Oct 2013 At Sea 11 30 Oct 2013 Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy 07:00 AM 07:00 PM 12 31 Oct 2013 Monte Carlo, Monaco 08:00 AM 06:00 PM 13 01 Nov 2013 Marseille (Provence), France 07:00 AM 04:00 PM 14 02 Nov 2013 Barcelona, Spain 07:00 AM 04:00 PM 15 03 Nov 2013 At Sea 16 04 Nov 2013 Malaga, Spain 08:00 AM 06:00 PM 17 05 Nov 2013 Cadiz (Seville), Spain 07:00 AM 05:00 PM 18 06 Nov 2013 Lisbon, Portugal 09:00 AM 05:00 PM 19 07 Nov 2013 At Sea 20 08 Nov 2013 At Sea 21 09 Nov 2013 At Sea 22 10 Nov 2013 At Sea 23 11 Nov 2013 At Sea 24 12 Nov 2013 At Sea 25 13 Nov 2013 At Sea 26 14 Nov 2013 At Sea 27 15 Nov 2013 Half Moon Cay, Bahamas TR 08:00 AM 03:00 PM 28 16 Nov 2013 At Sea 29 17 Nov 2013 Tampa, Florida, US 07:00 AM

 

 

 

 

Eight new ports and some old favorites. There are other cruises in the running as well as land based vacations and we may not do any of them. Difficult decisions lie ahead.

[bishop84]

If they miss it they would simply take fuel on elsewhere. The captain of the Norrdam told us it was for fuel in 2011. We actually went twice on a B2B. The topic came up during the "meet the captain" deal in the theatre. People were basically asking why they stop there as many did not enjoy the stop.

 

I think he may have meant the usage of fuel rather than taking more on in La Goulette. It is a convenient port for ships to leave the European Union and therefore qualify for tax-free status.

 

I guess the itinerary would have been Barcelona-Palma-La Goulette? If yes the ship would have bunkered in Barcelona if required which the facilities. The port of La Goulette doesn't appear to have any bunkering facilities according to a web search I just did.

[luxurysailer]

It's not uncommon to hear of terrorists successfully storming high security areas. Does anyone seriously think they couldn't storm and take a docked cruise ship if they were determined to do so? The likelihood seems significant that such an attempt will be made at some point in time. Capturing a cruise ship would be a real coup for them.

 

In about 2000 we had ports of call in both Casablanca and Tunis. I felt ill at ease in both but particularly in Tunis, and I'm sure that feeling would now be exacerbated.

[sail7seas]

It's not uncommon to hear of terrorists successfully storming high security areas. Does anyone seriously think they couldn't storm and take a docked cruise ship if they were determined to do so? The likelihood seems significant that such an attempt will be made at some point in time. Capturing a cruise ship would be a real coup for them.

 

In about 2000 we had ports of call in both Casablanca and Tunis. I felt ill at ease in both but particularly in Tunis, and I'm sure that feeling would now be exacerbated.

 

 

Bite your tongue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mamaofami]

It's not uncommon to hear of terrorists successfully storming high security areas. Does anyone seriously think they couldn't storm and take a docked cruise ship if they were determined to do so? The likelihood seems significant that such an attempt will be made at some point in time. Capturing a cruise ship would be a real coup for them.

 

 

That is very scary, but it could happen...anywhere and in any country.

[sail7seas]

There are times I have sat on our balcony at Hyatt Pier 66 Tower and looked down on Port Everglades. I see it filled to the brim with gorgeous cruise ships and it scares me silly. What a target...... and so near to FLL airport.