Creative Suggestions for Itinerary Changes to avoid Egypt?

[georg0]

We are booked for November 12, 2013 cruise from Istanbul to Dubai, scheduled for a three day stop in Safaga, Egypt, primarily to visit Luxor. The State department advises against Egyptian Travel, stating "Political unrest . . . shows little sign of abating." Suggestions welcome for port changes for three days that might be in interests of both Regent and of passengers, such as more days in Med? Israel? Oman or Dubai?, other ports such as Abu Dhabi? Although political unrest could abate, route changes may take planning time and certainly worth considering at this point. I am assuming Luxor is a sure no go and three days in Safaga is too much. Thanks,

[Travelcat2]

Unfortunately Regent has faced this problem in the past and are ready to change itineraries at a moment's notice. It really depends upon whether another port on Egypt is considered safe or if it is better to skip Egypt completely. When a rocket was launched at one port in Israel, we docked an extra day in Haifa. Changes were made for excursions. Regent would never put its ship, crew or passengers in harms way.

[wripro]

The most common replacement ports are and extra Greek island or two plus Ashod and Haifa.

[JMARINER]

We are booked for November 12, 2013 cruise from Istanbul to Dubai, scheduled for a three day stop in Safaga, Egypt, primarily to visit Luxor. The State department advises against Egyptian Travel, stating "Political unrest . . . shows little sign of abating." Suggestions welcome for port changes for three days that might be in interests of both Regent and of passengers, such as more days in Med? Israel? Oman or Dubai?, other ports such as Abu Dhabi? Although political unrest could abate, route changes may take planning time and certainly worth considering at this point. I am assuming Luxor is a sure no go and three days in Safaga is too much. Thanks,

 

Here is the new itinerary that Regent just sent out. Link

 

j

403/29

[georg0]

Just received word from Regent, No Egypt stops, but an extra day in Jerusalem, Petra (aqaba) and Mytiline, Greece. Thanks.

[TedC]

A day in Jordan for Petra and another day at Wadi Rum - or the Gerash ruins near Amman - but that might be too far away. ALSO, Dead Sea isn't too far away at all. It's evaporating quickly.

[ridolphi]

Egypt was cancelled on our cruise back in 2010, and instead we had two days each in Haifa and Ashdod. Never quite understood that, as the excursions were very much the same from both ports, with a few different. When all was said and done, we certainly saw everything in Isreal we wanted to and more.

 

Saw an email from Regent yesterday that they were cancelling all ports in Egypt for the remainder of 2013 and all of 2014, as JMARINER noted with the link to the new itineraries.

 

Disappointing when that happens, but then again Regent is very concious of the ship, passenger and crew safety and sometimes things like that are necessary.

 

Hope you enjoy your cruise.