joanna111 Posted April 29, 2015 #1 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Just got a notice from HAL that all stops at Tunis will be replaced by Sardinia. Sadly I have to say that's probably the right decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7leagueboots Posted April 29, 2015 #2 Share Posted April 29, 2015 (edited) HAL is not alone. I read that Princess is substituting Malta on some cruises. Edited April 29, 2015 by 7leagueboots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry1954 Posted April 29, 2015 #3 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Unfortunately, it probably is very wise. We loved Tunis and the excursions we went on. The people are very much like in Turkey - reasonably secular in dealing with tourists .. harry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PathfinderEss Posted April 30, 2015 #4 Share Posted April 30, 2015 A great decision.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freestyling Posted April 30, 2015 #5 Share Posted April 30, 2015 sign of the Times and probably the correct decision for now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted April 30, 2015 #6 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Thanks for sharing with us. Most of us likely thought this is what HAL would do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeniEncinitas Posted April 30, 2015 #7 Share Posted April 30, 2015 I agree in the decision with HAL! Like previous post, it is the sign of the times. Denise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare whogo Posted April 30, 2015 #8 Share Posted April 30, 2015 I think they are too cautious, as are their passengers who are reassured by the change. I would not hesitate to visit Tunisia at this time, would be disappointed if I were on an affected cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joanna111 Posted April 30, 2015 Author #9 Share Posted April 30, 2015 I am disappointed especially with everything I read about Olbia, Sardinia. :mad:The most common advice for that port seems to be to just stay on the ship Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted April 30, 2015 #10 Share Posted April 30, 2015 I know some of you are disappointed, but I think HAL has made a wise decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
summer slope Posted April 30, 2015 #11 Share Posted April 30, 2015 I'm sure they are thinking of passengers safety first. And I totally agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Despegue Posted April 30, 2015 #12 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Good news! NOT because I think Tunis is too dangerous ( it is not, I stay there on a regular basis), but because there is simply nothing to see or do. Carthago is vastly overrated, Tunis city is nothing special compared to other Maghreb major cities and the beaches are poor compared to other Mediterranean destinations. Olbia has at least fabulous beaches:) and some great food! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunsetbeachgal Posted April 30, 2015 #13 Share Posted April 30, 2015 (edited) I feel it is a prudent decision. The violence in Tunis was specifically targeted against tourists, and because of that I don't see cruise lines making stops there for a long while. We have enjoyed two stops in Tunis over the years, and feel sorry for the many good people there who depend on tourism for their living. Our last stop at La Goulette just before the Arab Spring, included a tour of the ruins at Carthage (agree with above poster that I have seen better ruins elsewhere) the American Cemetary and a stop at a lovely little town Sidi Bou Said for shopping and sightseeing. I seem to remember that tourism is, or perhaps was, Tunis main source of income, so quite a sad situation. Edited April 30, 2015 by sunsetbeachgal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted April 30, 2015 #14 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Good news! NOT because I think Tunis is too dangerous ( it is not, I stay there on a regular basis), but because there is simply nothing to see or do. Carthago is vastly overrated, Tunis city is nothing special compared to other Maghreb major cities and the beaches are poor compared to other Mediterranean destinations. Olbia has at least fabulous beaches:) and some great food! I agree it is not a surprising decision, but would have to disagree that Olbia is a more attractive option. Not everyone travels to the Med for the beaches, and on a cruise the chance to enjoy local cuisine is pretty limited. I profess I don't understand what is meant by "better" ruins (as the other poster stated). I wonder if most realize that some of the more eye-catching ruins are largely a result of 19th and 20th century reconstruction (some of it not particularly good or accurate....)? At any rate, I really enjoy visiting places where significant historical events occurred, regardless of the quality of the ruins. And if one gets down into the actual site on the hill at Carthage (rather than simply overlooking it from above), it is pretty interesting. One can be amazed there is anything there at all, given that the Romans always insisted they razed the place to the ground (and sowed salt on top of it, to boot....) It's all too easy -- for me anyway -- to envision the Roman soldiers pouring over the walls of Carthage and fighting in close-quarters, hand-to-hand fashion up the narrow streets to the acropolis... But I guess the historical knowledge or perhaps the imaginations of some are impaired. :D I also see you don't mention the wonderful museum in Tunis, unfortunate location of the recent shooting, which has arguably the best collection of Roman-era mosaics of any place in the world (the other contender being in Turkey....) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted April 30, 2015 #15 Share Posted April 30, 2015 I just read on another board that Princess is substituting Salerno for Tunis -- arguably a more interesting swap than Olbia.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted April 30, 2015 #16 Share Posted April 30, 2015 I agree it is not a surprising decision, but would have to disagree that Olbia is a more attractive option. Not everyone travels to the Med for the beaches, and on a cruise the chance to enjoy local cuisine is pretty limited. I profess I don't understand what is meant by "better" ruins (as the other poster stated). I wonder if most realize that some of the more eye-catching ruins are largely a result of 19th and 20th century reconstruction (some of it not particularly good or accurate....)? At any rate, I really enjoy visiting places where significant historical events occurred, regardless of the quality of the ruins. And if one gets down into the actual site on the hill at Carthage (rather than simply overlooking it from above), it is pretty interesting. One can be amazed there is anything there at all, given that the Romans always insisted they razed the place to the ground (and sowed salt on top of it, to boot....) It's all too easy -- for me anyway -- to envision the Roman soldiers pouring over the walls of Carthage and fighting in close-quarters, hand-to-hand fashion up the narrow streets to the acropolis... But I guess the historical knowledge or perhaps the imaginations of some are impaired. :D I also see you don't mention the wonderful museum in Tunis, unfortunate location of the recent shooting, which has arguably the best collection of Roman-era mosaics of any place in the world (the other contender being in Turkey....) I agree with you. When we were able to tour and cruise Europe, we were not interested in the beaches. Too many other sites to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare StartrainDD Posted April 30, 2015 #17 Share Posted April 30, 2015 I am disappointed especially with everything I read about Olbia, Sardinia. :mad:The most common advice for that port seems to be to just stay on the ship I haven't been there yet (we board in a few days), but we have a nice private CC group boat charter planned for our Sardinia stop. This seems like a great relaxing day in between the often oh-so-busy sightseeing days common on these port-intensive cruises. Check out the website: http://www.deadelmare.com/EN/palau-charter-boats.html Watch for my review after the cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corkpopr Posted May 1, 2015 #18 Share Posted May 1, 2015 tunis is fine. we were just there, our second visit. we do not take ships tours and hired a cab for the day both times. had a great adventure. that being said, Malta would be a great substitution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joanna111 Posted May 1, 2015 Author #19 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Just sent an email to the sailboat excursion that StartrainDD recommended -- thanks. Although it sounds a little too beachy for October 30th. I would have been thrilled if HAL had chosen Malta. And I'd be happy if they had chosen one of the other Sardinia ports that sound more interesting. But I should stop complaining and realize what this means to the people of Tunis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MLabrosc02 Posted May 4, 2015 #20 Share Posted May 4, 2015 I haven't been there yet (we board in a few days), but we have a nice private CC group boat charter planned for our Sardinia stop. This seems like a great relaxing day in between the often oh-so-busy sightseeing days common on these port-intensive cruises. Check out the website: http://www.deadelmare.com/EN/palau-charter-boats.html Watch for my review after the cruise! Hi, please post review of this when you get back...I am curious about the price as well. Happy travels!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacksonwayne Posted May 4, 2015 #21 Share Posted May 4, 2015 Yea for princess on those cruises where Salerno is being substituted for Tunis: If we have to miss Tunis, then Salerno would be my first pick; Here's why...Salerno, and Amalfi, are often missed when excursions go out of Naples for the Amalfi Coast area. Too often , the far end of the Amalfi Coast, Positano, Salerno and Amalfi are missed, a very charming, historical, and beautiful area! BRAVO PRINCESS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joanna111 Posted May 6, 2015 Author #22 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Startrain, how did you arrange transportation from the ship to Palau? I wrote to them and got a quote for a excursion on the Caprera One but all they said about transport was that they don't do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
take us away Posted May 6, 2015 #23 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Tunis came off the Traveler Advisory list on the HAL web site. If anyone hears HAL is going back to Tunis - please post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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