Hows the Serenity Posted March 13, 2016 #1 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Well another terroroist attack in Turkey!!!!!!! I guess our Eurodam cruise on May 6 is looking less likely to stop at Istanbul & Ephesus. I hope HAL gives us a good indication quickly whether they will continue with Turkey ports or advises of any changes to our itinerary. It would be a disappointment not to go to Turkey, but I can live with it, as safety should always be the prime driver for port changes. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted March 13, 2016 #2 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Awful attack. Many injuries but I'm not sure how many, if any, fatalities. It is seeming less likely ships will stop in Turkey this spring/summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted March 13, 2016 #3 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Are you referring to the attack in Ankara? If yes, I don't know how much impact that will have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted March 13, 2016 #4 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Yes, Ankara. I don't know that the geographical location of one city vs another will be a deciding factor as to whether to port call or not. Maybe it will but we'll have to wait and see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammiedawg Posted March 13, 2016 #5 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Several other cruise lines I follow canceled Turkey a while back. Those booked on HAL ships scheduled to port there are likely going to be disappointed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare chefestelle Posted March 13, 2016 #6 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Ankara is quite far inland but any attack should give pause. Such a terrible tragedy Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pv girl Posted March 13, 2016 #7 Share Posted March 13, 2016 So sad to see this. I loved Turkey and so glad I got to go in 2013. Area around Ephesus was beautiful and still rather rural and safe, so maybe that port can be saved. Istanbul? Time will tell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borasue Posted March 13, 2016 #8 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Truly heartbreaking. We visited Kusadasi last September, and were fortunate to have a wonderful tour of Ephesus and the village of Sirince. We had a private tour there, and have since communicated with our guide. I heard from her just today, asking that we share our positive experiences with our friends, as tourism is already being hurt by the cancellations by the cruise industry. :( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minoushka Posted March 13, 2016 #9 Share Posted March 13, 2016 Had thought of booking the. Eurodam for late August going to Turkey.I. Asked here whether or not we would actually go to Turkey ...Istanbul or would Cruise line cancel ....well loandbehold another terrorist attack probably sealed that fate I doubt anyone will go to Turkey now ...howver if this ship were to go to Malta or other Croatian ports .i might reconsider ...I did want to see Venice as well But I think Lesbos will be another problem ...coud Crete be a good alternative .? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted March 13, 2016 #10 Share Posted March 13, 2016 It remains to be seen what HAL will do. Early information is suggesting the attack isn't linked to ISIS but to the ongoing political struggles between the Turks and Kurds. Tourists were not targeted. And attacks have occurred in Ankara many times before without cancellation of the ports on Turkey's western coast. (Ankara is about a 5-hour drive by car from Istanbul, to give an idea of its location.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
navybankerteacher Posted March 14, 2016 #11 Share Posted March 14, 2016 It remains to be seen what HAL will do. Early information is suggesting the attack isn't linked to ISIS but to the ongoing political struggles between the Turks and Kurds. Tourists were not targeted. And attacks have occurred in Ankara many times before without cancellation of the ports on Turkey's western coast. (Ankara is about a 5-hour drive by car from Istanbul, to give an idea of its location.) True - but any significant unrest in a country - especially involving violence - will likely result in a line's rethinking itineraries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted March 14, 2016 #12 Share Posted March 14, 2016 It remains to be seen what HAL will do. Early information is suggesting the attack isn't linked to ISIS but to the ongoing political struggles between the Turks and Kurds. Tourists were not targeted. And attacks have occurred in Ankara many times before without cancellation of the ports on Turkey's western coast. (Ankara is about a 5-hour drive by car from Istanbul, to give an idea of its location.) Does it make all that much difference who was responsible for the attack in terms of cruise lines making choices about cancelling ports? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted March 14, 2016 #13 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Does it make all that much difference who was responsible for the attack in terms of cruise lines making choices about cancelling ports? I maybe wrong but I don't believe thr Kurds have ever struck out at the tourists. These threads always puzzle me as attacks occur almost daily in Isreal. A recent one involved a tourist yet no one stops going there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Keith1010 Posted March 14, 2016 #14 Share Posted March 14, 2016 I am surprised that they have not already cancelled these stops as others did. I love Turkey and it is a large country and things happen but still surprised they haven't cancelled it. Sorry to see another attack. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyk47 Posted March 14, 2016 #15 Share Posted March 14, 2016 (edited) Does it make all that much difference who was responsible for the attack in terms of cruise lines making choices about cancelling ports? Actually I think it does. Factors will be location, targets, type of attack, etc. Since the conflict between the Turks and Kurds is not particularly new nor near or involving major tourist spots the cruise lines may not cancel ports in Turkey. I think cruise lines also pay attention to the warnings and cautions coming out of the various foreign/state departments of countries so they'll be watching those. Edited March 14, 2016 by Randyk47 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hows the Serenity Posted March 14, 2016 Author #16 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Actually I think it does. Factors will be location, targets, type of attack, etc. Since the conflict between the Turks and Kurds is not particularly new nor near or involving major tourist spots the cruise lines may not cancel ports in Turkey. I think cruise lines also pay attention to the warnings and cautions coming out of the various foreign/state departments of countries so they'll be watching those. I agree, here is what our Australian Government is posting re travel to Turkey: http://smartraveller.gov.au/countries/turkey#modal-country http://smartraveller.gov.au/countries/turkey# Thought provoking actually Chris Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karennella Posted March 14, 2016 #17 Share Posted March 14, 2016 I always think the Australian government is like my mother-in-law; would like us to spend our lives safely at home in front of the TV and away from all danger. Not to trivialise the impact of the latest attack. I just love Turkey and it is awful seeing these things happen. In 2011 our cruise itinerary was changed twice as it was to Egypt and Israel as well as four Turkish ports, one being Iskenderun very close to the Syrian border. We were amazed when we actually did get to all the original ports. Two of our best ever travel experiences are from Turkey; having a hot air balloon ride in Cappadoccia and attending the Anzac Day services at Gallipolli. I really hope things settle down there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hows the Serenity Posted March 14, 2016 Author #18 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Mmmmmm Mother-in-law, I guess you could make that comparison. But then you could also liken Australia's stance to that of a mother trying to protect her brood. Depends which way you look at it, doesnt it. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaTourist Posted March 14, 2016 #19 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Ugh!!!! Leaving on the Oosterdam April 18th. So far so good for our stop in Ephesus. Just holding my breath every time I check my email. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randyk47 Posted March 14, 2016 #20 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Ugh!!!! Leaving on the Oosterdam April 18th. So far so good for our stop in Ephesus. Just holding my breath every time I check my email. I hope you do. The stop in Kusadasi and the visit to Ephesus is one of the "not to miss" stops. We've been there three times in four years and love the Ephesus tours and enjoy the port city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare whogo Posted March 14, 2016 #21 Share Posted March 14, 2016 Assuming no big change in the situation, the odds of a terrorist attack harming me during a few port stops in Turkey this fall are too small to worry about. I will cancel my cruise if I think Holland America will cancel the Turkish ports, not that HAL would make the announcement before final payment. HAL's decision will be affected by how timid my fellow cruisers are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vict0riann Posted March 14, 2016 #22 Share Posted March 14, 2016 I would hope they would make any announcement of deletions/changes before final payment, or at least give passengers the option of cancelling without any penalty. We have a b2b with 6 stops in Turkey (one of which is an overnight in Istanbul) in the fall, plus Black Sea stops, plus stops in Israel. I can't imagine what the cruise would be without them! Greek Isles? And changes late in the day would make for difficulties finding new ports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viesczy Posted March 14, 2016 #23 Share Posted March 14, 2016 I maybe wrong but I don't believe thr Kurds have ever struck out at the tourists. These threads always puzzle me as attacks occur almost daily in Isreal. A recent one involved a tourist yet no one stops going there. Quoting for truth about the Kurds, the Kurds have consistently only attacked their oppressors. Considering the treatment the Kurds have rec'd for years by the Turkish gov't, their restraint is admirable as Turkey's handling of its citizens is best termed "Stalin-esque". Don't believe me? Look at the operations Turkey is carrying out and claiming they're assisting the war on ISIS but in truth are attacking Kurds (who also are resisting ISIS). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted March 14, 2016 #24 Share Posted March 14, 2016 I maybe wrong but I don't believe thr Kurds have ever struck out at the tourists. These threads always puzzle me as attacks occur almost daily in Isreal. A recent one involved a tourist yet no one stops going there. I'm not so sure all the North American travelers who might cruise that region actually know who attacks tourists....... Kurds ? ISIS ? The traveler who might/will cancel a visit there do not necessarily differentiate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisemom42 Posted March 14, 2016 #25 Share Posted March 14, 2016 There are a great many European itineraries available that do not include Turkey, if passengers do not wish to travel there. I would suggest the ship's reasons for cancellation would likely revolve more around whether there is a significant risk to the safety of passengers and ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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