Cunard Cancels Egypt Ports of Call!

[Bollinge]

Cunard have apparently cancelled the proposed visits of the Queen Elizabeth in April to four ports in Egypt, citing the combined threats of civil unrest and terrorism.

 

Sharm El-Sheikh, Ain Sukhna (Sokhna), Suez and Port Said were scheduled stops at the end of April, on the final leg of QE's world cruise which began in January. The announcement was made yesterday by the Captain during his midday report. The Port of Haifa in Israel has been substituted.

 

RMS Queen Mary 2 is due to follow in the wake of QE a day or two later, at the end of her world cruise, calling at Safaga, Suez and Port Said. However, as late as yesterday, Cunard Australia insisted no changes are planned to the QM2 schedule.............

 

British tour operators take their cue from advice given by the Foreign Office:

 

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt

 

An attack on a cruise ship or a bus carrying passengers from it would provide tremendous publicity for the perpetrators!

[Bollinge]

Cunard have now confirmed that all the Egyptian ports-of-call at the end of the Queens' world cruises 2014 have been scrubbed. There may still be a "technical stop" for provisioning at various Egyptian ports, but no passengers will be allowed to disembark.

 

Queen Elizabeth will have a two-day call in Haifa, Israel, in lieu of Sharm el Sheikh, and QM2 will visit Aqaba, Jordan, instead of Safaga.

 

Passengers on QM2 will be informed in due course, you heard it here first!

Edited March 31, 2014 by Bollinge

[cruiseluvva]

That is sooooooooo much better!

[Classiccruiser777]

I would never go on a cruise that includes port stops in Egypt, transits the Suez Canal or Gulf of Aden. Those areas are just inviting trouble.

[ToadOfToadHall]

Surely not going to Egypt is a plus ?

 

I've only been once and I was being paid to go; why you would pay to go there is beyond me.

[Colin_Cameron]

Surely not going to Egypt is a plus ?

 

I've only been once and I was being paid to go; why you would pay to go there is beyond me.

 

A little harsh but I 'think' I know what you mean. I've had several amazing visits to Egypt over the last twenty five years but I'm definitely not as comfortable there now as in the past. I think much of that is because the locals are less comfortable in talking to and dealing with foreigners because they don't know who is watching them.

 

I seriously considered a move there a long time ago. Not now, but in the future, who knows. (At work, we've just moved a major function to Cairo. IMHO Someone needs their head examined.)

 

Regards, Colin.

[ToadOfToadHall]

I went to Cairo for work for about a week a few years ago. Even staying in a big western hotel meant scanners to get in the place and mirrors on sticks under the taxi.

 

And the driving has to be seen to be believed !! Cairo traffic defies belief and then there was a 100 mile drive to the petrochem site. My colleague though we were going to die !

[cunardaddict]

I would never go on a cruise that includes port stops in Egypt, transits the Suez Canal or Gulf of Aden. Those areas are just inviting trouble.

 

Not really. Where have all the brave gone?

[2irisheyes]

Having phoned Cunard UK this morning re QM2 Egypt stop, I was told the matter is under consideration and if/when a decision is made to rearrange ports we will be notified.

[Bollinge]

What a load of B.S.!

 

I spoke to the Communications Manager of Cunard last night and she confirmed Aqaba, Jordan (for Petra), has been substituted for Safaga, Egypt. She said they would let the ship know and the Captain would inform the guests forthwith.

 

I mentioned to her that she could improve communications by letting passengers know what's what, first and foremost........

 

And also by communicating the same facts to their customer service staff......

Edited April 1, 2014 by Bollinge

[WillH]

I received the same response from Cunard UK today that no decision had been made regarding QM2 and Safaga. In fact they didn't seem to know about QE. However they confirmed that P&O Adonia had cancelled Safaga so it was certain that Cunard would do likewise.

 

It certainly be helpful if Cunard issued an official notification soon to hopefully confirm Aqaba

[Bedruthen]

I emailed Cunard today, as it is pretty poor marketing and communication to have this information swirling around the Internet and not informing the affected passengers directly.

 

This is the response that I received this afternoon,

 

''Thank you for your email and yes, unfortunately following recent incidents in Egypt we have been reviewing some planned stops there.

 

I do apologise sincerely that you have not been updated and I've cc'd Tina, who am sure will respond to you very quickly with more details and to let you know if you are on one of the affected cruises. "

 

We are the QE2 sector from Dubai to Southampton....

[Bedruthen]

Just received this

 

"I am sorry to advise the itinerary has been affected by recent incidents in Egypt.

 

Regrettably following advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and our own security department we have made the decision that Queen Elizabeth’s calls to both Sokhna and Sharm el Sheikh should not go ahead and therefore will be cancelled. Instead Queen Elizabeth will now make a two day call to Haifa. A letter detailing these changes was posted to you yesterday and I have attached a copy for your information."

 

Dear.....

I do hope you are looking forward to your forthcoming cruise on Queen Elizabeth, we are writing with some important information about your itinerary.

As you may be aware, Egypt has been experiencing a period of civil unrest leading to travel in the region being impacted. We have been following the situation closely and had hoped to be able to maintain our Egyptian calls either in whole or part. Regrettably recent events and advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and our own security department have led us to the decision that Queen Elizabeth’s calls to both Sokhna and Sharm el Sheikh should not go ahead and therefore will be cancelled.

Instead Queen Elizabeth will now make a two day call to Haifa. Haifa is the third largest city in Israel and the gateway to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, with an abundance of outstanding historical sites to tempt you. A full shore excursion programme will be available to book shortly.

If you have pre booked any shore excursions for Sokhna or Sharm el Sheikh, these will be cancelled and automatically refunded to you.

The itinerary from Dubai is shown below

31 March 2014

Port

Date

Arrives

Depart

Dubai

19 Apr

Early Evening

Aqaba

25 Apr

Early Morning

Evening

Suez Canal

27 Apr

Early Morning

Early Afternoon

Haifa

28 Apr

Early Morning

Haifa

29 Apr

Early Evening

Naples

2 May

Early Morning

Early Evening

Palma de Mallorca

4 May

Early Morning

Afternoon

Please accept my sincere apologies for any disappointment that this decision may cause, however the safety and security of our passengers and crew must remain our utmost priority at all times.

Whilst writing to you, for those embarking in Dubai we would also like to request that you provide us with a photocopy of the photo page of your passport. This is to ensure we obtain a timely immigration clearance in Haifa. Please could you have a copy available when you check in.

[Bedruthen]

Just to add, there is no mention of Lisbon on the itinerary contained in the letter

[SS Warringtonia]

I've been following this thread with a keen interest as we too are due to embark QM2 on the 22nd April in Dubai.

It was quite ironical that the excursion my wife really wanted to enjoy was to the Valley of the Kings which we had duly paid for after weighing up the tourist guidance and hearing of some real horror stories. These were on the other side of Egypt so we chose to book.

Funny when you read Cunard's blurb about the transport having a police escort to Luxor we thought something was afoot!

As of the time of this post I've yet to have any communication from Cunard. Like others say an official communique needs releasing- having had a quick look at the alternative ports and possible excursions I don't think all is lost ( unless we don't get a refund!!)

[Bedruthen]

Seems they are communicating by letter.

 

Yet they could have used

Email

Facebook

A voyage planner pop up announcement

Cruise Critic posting.

Twitter........

 

Letter just seems so outmoded and for those who may have already left to join the cruise, not that helpful.

[Chunky2219]

Seems they are communicating by letter.

...........

 

Letter just seems so outmoded and for those who may have already left to join the cruise, not that helpful.

I'm sure the folks who reminisce about the good old days of QE2 will be fine with a letter. Some would have been happier with a telegram or even a carrier pigeon. Too much progress will be the death of civilised society.

 

 

.

[Bedruthen]

I'm sure the folks who reminisce about the good old days of QE2 will be fine with a letter. Some would have been happier with a telegram or even a carrier pigeon. Too much progress will be the death of civilised society.

 

 

.

 

I fear you are forgetting telex, the forerunner of all that is evil in the world..

[Cats2010]

I would never go on a cruise that includes port stops in Egypt, transits the Suez Canal or Gulf of Aden. Those areas are just inviting trouble.

 

Sorry for you! We had no problem whatsoever in the Gulf of Aden and the transit of the Red Sea and the Suez Canal were absolutely beautiful. I would do it again!

[SS Warringtonia]

Seems they are communicating by letter.

 

Yet they could have used

Email

Facebook

A voyage planner pop up announcement

Cruise Critic posting.

Twitter........

 

Letter just seems so outmoded and for those who may have already left to join the cruise, not that helpful.

 

Funny how we have to take the 'green' option and print our own tickets and luggage labels if required.

[Cats2010]

 

Too much progress will be the death of civilised society.

 

.

 

 

:confused: :rolleyes:

[Janix]

We have just received notification by email of the changes from our TA, nothing in the CP as yet.

 

Quote:

Due to recent events in Egypt, your cruise operator has taken the decision to cancel calls to Egypt for 2014. Therefore, Queen Elizabeth will not call at Sokhna and Sharm el Sheikh as previously scheduled, but will instead make a two day call to Haifa.

 

Haifa is the third largest city in Israel and the gateway to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, with an abundance of outstanding historical sites to tempt you. A full shore excursion programme will be available to book shortly. If you have pre booked any excursions for Egypt, these will be cancelled and automatically refunded to you.

John

[Bollinge]

There will be a further announcement made regarding QM2's schedule tomorrow, Thursday.

[2irisheyes]

Hi Bollinge - I haven't seen the first announcement re QM2 Egypt changes. Did I miss it. Safaga had already replaced Sokhna around last September no doubt to avoid Cairo.

 

SS Warringtonia - Don't leave it till 22 April to board QM2 in Dubai or you might be swimming - she departs Mon 21 April. We will be there and had also booked the ship's tour to Valley of the Kings etc. Eagerly awaiting confirmation of revised schedule.

[SS Warringtonia]

2irisheyes- just thought I would check somebody's awake out there!!- well done for spotting the deliberate mistake.