Celebrity with Turkey itinerary

[Jo and Rob]

I'm concerned that our cruise this month still includes Turkey. We are considering staying on board if they don't change.

[Cruise Junky]

There's never been any sign of trouble in Kusadasi. We loved it in May. If you don't feel safe, stay on the ship. They may change hour port last minute, who knows

[wendychloecruiser]

Per Celebrity's Website:

 

Statement on cancelled calls to Istanbul, Turkey

Celebrity Cruises

 

June 29, 2016

 

Like all of you, Celebrity Cruises is aware of the bombing at Istanbul Atatürk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the attack.

 

 

After reviewing all of the available information and discussions with our Global Security team in Miami, we have decided to cancel all of Celebrity Cruises’ upcoming turns in Istanbul, Turkey, and replace them with Athens (Piraeus), Greece.

 

This decision was made with the safety of our guests and crew at the forefront of our minds and in an abundance of caution. We realize this may have an impact on your travel plans and our team is working now on available alternative arrangements from this new port of embark and debarkation. We sincerely apologize for the impact on your cruise and will revert throughout the day with more details. We understand how important your vacation is and we did not take this decision lightly.

 

 

Thank you so much for your patience as we work through the details.

[Cruise Junky]

Per Celebrity's Website:

 

Statement on cancelled calls to Istanbul, Turkey

Celebrity Cruises

 

June 29, 2016

 

Like all of you, Celebrity Cruises is aware of the bombing at Istanbul Atatürk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the attack.

 

 

After reviewing all of the available information and discussions with our Global Security team in Miami, we have decided to cancel all of Celebrity Cruises’ upcoming turns in Istanbul, Turkey, and replace them with Athens (Piraeus), Greece.

 

This decision was made with the safety of our guests and crew at the forefront of our minds and in an abundance of caution. We realize this may have an impact on your travel plans and our team is working now on available alternative arrangements from this new port of embark and debarkation. We sincerely apologize for the impact on your cruise and will revert throughout the day with more details. We understand how important your vacation is and we did not take this decision lightly.

 

 

Thank you so much for your patience as we work through the details.

 

Jo's cruise isn't going to Istanbul, it's going go Kusadasi.

[aussie cruzer]

I was in Kusadasi in May on the Reflection. ...the security at the port shopping centre entrance was pathetic as was security at Ephesus....how hard is it too post a few soldiers at the entrance to port area.....at Ephesus their was NO visable armed security to be seen.

 

If anyone got in their there would be mass casualties...it's surrounded by hills and you would have nowhere to escape...I have been to Egypt & Israel and haven't seen lack of security as it is in Kusadasi.

 

Sent from my SM-T530 using Tapatalk

[desert2lover]

I'm concerned that our cruise this month still includes Turkey. We are considering staying on board if they don't change.

 

We were in Kusadasi in May. Absolutely no problem either in town

or at Ephesus and a shopping/gladiator show stop. Ephesus was

amazing, not to be missed. I hope you get to experience the

beautiful country.

 

Deanna

[villauk]

Jo,

 

Our Connie cruise goes to Kusadasi next month; we'll be getting off with the kids, but not visiting Ephesus this time (we've visited previously) ;). There is a risk wherever you visit - Florida, Bangladesh etc.

 

I suspect X will monitor the situation and possibly take it on a cruise by cruise basis. Last year on Equinox, we missed our overnight in Istanbul and gained extra hours in Athens. I wouldn't be surprised if this happened again should things worsen across Turkey.

[dandee2]

I was in Kusadasi in May on the Reflection. ...the security at the port shopping centre entrance was pathetic as was security at Ephesus....how hard is it too post a few soldiers at the entrance to port area.....at Ephesus their was NO visable armed security to be seen.

 

If anyone got in their there would be mass casualties...it's surrounded by hills and you would have nowhere to escape...I have been to Egypt & Israel and haven't seen lack of security as it is in Kusadasi.

 

Was in Montreal airport on Thursday for business. No security, no visible police force, no nothing. You can do what you want in there. Same everywhere. They spend money after the fact. Can't wait for Ephesus.

[Guest]

Interesting- we got an email through from Celebrity last week informing us our Reflection Italy and Greek isles cruise for August next year has dropped Kusadasi and changed to Valetta, Malta. I assumed it was due to recent troubles but i guess not if they are still sailing there?

 

We are spending 2 weeks in Southern Turkey this summer, the news is unsettling but it such a beautiful country, their tourism industry is getting ruined!

[Husky61]

I'm concerned that our cruise this month still includes Turkey. We are considering staying on board if they don't change.

 

I would have happily still visited Istanbul, taken tours, and I'm disappointed it was cancelled.:)

[DrivesLikeMario]

Interesting- we got an email through from Celebrity last week informing us our Reflection Italy and Greek isles cruise for August next year has dropped Kusadasi and changed to Valetta, Malta. I assumed it was due to recent troubles but i guess not if they are still sailing there?

 

We are spending 2 weeks in Southern Turkey this summer, the news is unsettling but it such a beautiful country, their tourism industry is getting ruined!

 

Celebrity must've looked in their crystal ball and saw that Kusadasi is safe this year, but it won't be next year. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

Seriously, I don't get it but ALL the cruise lines do this.

[larches167]

Celebrity very quickly reacted to the Istanbul airport terrorist attack and passenger safety.

We have been advised that we will now be embarking at Piraeus/Athens , however our ta advised we will need to wait for confirmation of the new flight information.

 

However it now looks like we will now not have any time in Athens to do any sightseeing based on when we arrive in Athens. This was one of the key ports that we wanted to visit on this cruise as its our first time in Athens. Appreciate its safety first however still a tad disappointed.

[fantasy51]

It doesn't take much of a crystal ball for Celebrity to see that people are already booking for next year, and people are concerned about Turkey at the moment and are talking of cancelling cruises that include Turkey. It therefore would seem easier to plan alternatives, so that people will book with confidence. :D