NCL - port cancellation in Port Said

[blocrates]

Hello! First time poster here. We are scheduled to sail on NCL from Rome to Dubai at the end of October, and we were told about a month ago that the Port Said stop was canceled, wiping out the pyramids excursion. The reason cited was "safety."

 

I'm aware of the discretion cruise lines have, but there is nothing evidently dangerous, with no activity that I can see, or that's posted in any advisories. Does anyone have any insight on this? Is there a tiny hope that they might reinstate it? I've read that can happen even mid cruise. I've heard from many that the pyramids are underwhelming, but still, it was a major reason we booked that cruise. Guest services gave no more details said we should write in and complain, but NCL otherwise gave no compensation of any kind for this; perhaps they are refraining on the chance that we sail there?

 

Thank you for your thoughts.

[www3traveler]

At the moment there is an advisory from the State Department asking American not to travel in Egypt and has been for awhile. This is probably the reason for the cancellation.

 

If you purchased an excursion through Norwegian, the price of the excursion will be credited to your on board account.

[blocrates]

Thank you for the note. That's interesting, because on this page, from January 2016 through now, there is no travel warning or alert for Egypt from the State Department. That's why this is all so curious.

 

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html

[rochelle_s]

How disappointing. Have they replaced the port with another? In 2013 we had Egypt replaced with Turkey but that will not be happening for you.

 

You should also receive a refund of your port charges.

 

I hope you have a wonderful cruise despite the cancelled highlight port.

 

 

Rochelle

[hawkeyetlse]

At the moment there is an advisory from the State Department asking American not to travel in Egypt and has been for awhile. This is probably the reason for the cancellation.

I don't see any travel alert or warning currently in effect, although there there are various security messages from earlier this year and last year that may still be relevant for travelers.

 

The country information for Egypt says the following: "The U.S. Embassy […] advises all U.S. citizens to carefully consider the security implications of travel outside of the greater Cairo metropolitan area." That would of course include Port Said.

 

For the OP, I think there is very little chance of the port being reinstated. The best you can hope for is some compensation for the lost port, and you will only get that it if you fight for it.

[khaide612]

Doesn't necessarily have to be a warning to US citizens - could be another nationality.

[blocrates]

Thank you to hawkeye and Rochelle. We have no other port to make up for it. They are making a "technical stop" for an hour and leaving immediately from Port Said. It is nonsense. I'm going to write a complaint to guest services, for whatever good it will do.

 

Frankly, they could do it differently; they could cut the second day in Haifa (Jerusalem tour) and steam an extra 180km to Alexandria, where tours to Giza also run. I just don't get how you can cut that important a segment, where everyone is keen to go, for some nebulous information, and with no compensation immediately forthcoming.

 

I'm surprised that no one sailing with us is on these boards venting. I was hoping for fellow people to commiserate with. =)

[hawkeyetlse]

Of course people should check travel advisories for their own country. But the fact is that NCL can cancel a port for any reason and they don't have to tell passengers exactly why. There may truly be a safety concern (the details of which they are not obligated to disclose), or they may just be using that as a convenient cover so that they can drop the port for some other reason.

I'm surprised that no one sailing with us is on these boards venting. I was hoping for fellow people to commiserate with. =)

I get the impression that in situations like this, half the people are disappointed and half the people are relieved. And nobody gets any money back :D Edited September 29, 2016 by hawkeyetlse

[ColinIllinois]

<snip> I'm going to write a complaint to guest services, for whatever good it will do.

 

 

 

I wouldn't waste my time. It will do no good whatsoever.

[blocrates]

Micm,

 

Thanks for chiming in. It's an interesting guess, but I can't imagine there was a lack of interest in the pyramids! Huge groups tour there every day, from boats and otherwise. I've been to Israel a few times, and other than Jerusalem, which is fascinating, the other excursions (Nazareth, etc.) are limited and dull. They should cut those extra four hours, sail to Alexandria, and let travelers see the pyramids. Even if they end up being not that great, it's a bucket list item. I'm just frustrated, and would've happily lost Sicily or the second stop in Oman (what for, who knows) or almost any place except Aqaba for this.

 

If you or anyone else has some thoughts when we get closer, please write!

[rochelle_s]

blocrates,

 

You are new to Cruise Critic so likely not aware of the Roll Call feature. This is a place where you can find others who are sailing on the same exact cruise as yourself. Here is a link to yours;

 

October 30, 2016 Star - Rome to Dubai

 

There is over a thousand posts on that thread so you should find lots of people to talk and commiserate with. There is almost always a Meet & Greet scheduled for on the ship for those who wish to attend. This can be a great opportunity to meet up with some of your fellow cruisers as well as a chance to meet some of the officers. Go have a read on your roll call and join in the discussions..see what others have planned etc.

 

Happy cruising, :)

 

 

Rochelle

[blocrates]

Thank you for the Roll Call update. I went there and posted a follow up, just in case. I am very disappointed is all, since essentially it's money lost as well as an opportunity. I've never had this happen to me in 15 years of cruising, so it's painful.

[casofilia]

Better to know now than to find out when on board.

If it is Egypt that is the problem then why is Safaga still a stopping port.

If the Port Said stop was called off because of the danger in going from PS to Cairo when how about going from Safaga to Luxor. Both are about 2-3 hours by road and need large number of guards and a convoy.

[blocrates]

Interesting point. So maybe safety was not the real reason, despite being cited. Not sure what else it could be though. Hoping for lightning to strike here.

[hawkeyetlse]

I am very disappointed is all, since essentially it's money lost as well as an opportunity. I've never had this happen to me in 15 years of cruising, so it's painful.

You've been quite lucky not to have encountered an itinerary change like this up to now. And unfortunately they have become particularly commonplace in the last few of years for cruises in this region. :(

 

When you say "money lost", do you mean that you have non-refundable tour reservations for this port?

[rochelle_s]

Better to know now than to find out when on board.

If it is Egypt that is the problem then why is Safaga still a stopping port.

If the Port Said stop was called off because of the danger in going from PS to Cairo when how about going from Safaga to Luxor. Both are about 2-3 hours by road and need large number of guards and a convoy.

 

Totally off topic and I apologize ...but nice to see a face in your new avatar. :)

 

 

Rochelle