Arabian Gulf Safety

[daisymay1960]

We were about to book the PO cruise round this area , until one of our party  noticed it was pretty close to Iran , and they don't think its safe . It doesn't concern me , but should it?

[John Bull]

If you're not cruising on an oil tanker I don't see any danger 

 

The real risk is that P&O or its captain might - of their own volition or in accordance with Foreign Office advice - delete any cals which involve passing thro the straits.

The other thing is that these situations are pretty fluid and I'm guessing your cruise is many months away?

 

JB 

[Omega1]

A few Revolutionary Guards would stand no chance against 2000+ cruise passengers - especially if they blocked the way to the buffet.

[mef_57]

I met a woman at a travel  Meet up last week who had just been in the area. They had security escort boat and armed security on board fir that time. It doesn't seem to be talked about but it seems to be around. Also cruise lines are cautious. If a real threat they change itineraries. Just take out insurance for trip cancellation due to change or cancllation of itinerary.

 

[Janet&Carl]

On 7/24/2019 at 9:07 PM, mef_57 said:

I met a woman at a travel  Meet up last week who had just been in the area. They had security escort boat and armed security on board fir that time. It doesn't seem to be talked about but it seems to be around. Also cruise lines are cautious. If a real threat they change itineraries. Just take out insurance for trip cancellation due to change or cancllation of itinerary.

 

 

 

I have a friend who cruised this area last year - armed guards are normal course through the suez - they had them even before any problems arose.  I wonder too if things are escalating.  Its been a concern because we go in October.

 

i rang the travel insurance company and they told me that "acts of war" are never covered anyway.  So I guess we will be on our own if anything happens.

 

 

Edited July 29, 2019 by Janet&Carl

[little britain]

On 7/23/2019 at 12:57 PM, daisymay1960 said:

We were about to book the PO cruise round this area , until one of our party  noticed it was pretty close to Iran , and they don't think its safe . It doesn't concern me , but should it?

Not sure if you know that all P&O cruises to this region have been cancelled.

All other lines still going cruising as they don;t have a great big Union Jack painted on their hull!!

MSC and RCI offering great itineraries on far better ships....

[G.M.T.]

On 7/23/2019 at 1:57 PM, daisymay1960 said:

We were about to book the PO cruise round this area , until one of our party  noticed it was pretty close to Iran , and they don't think its safe . It doesn't concern me , but should it?

Take your own precautions:

 

 

[Kruzermum]

On ‎8‎/‎10‎/‎2019 at 7:20 PM, G.M.T. said:

Take your own precautions:

 

 

fantastic 🙂 love this 

[Trend]

Well I guess you got your answer yesterday. This is not an area to be in now.

[Mudhen]

We're on (at the moment) a cruise in November that goes thru the Suez and end in Dubai. At this second in time, things look a little dicey.

I'm not a "granny", but really don't want to worry about being taken as fodder by some militant.

[mef_57]

2 hours ago, Mudhen said:

We're on (at the moment) a cruise in November that goes thru the Suez and end in Dubai. At this second in time, things look a little dicey.

I'm not a "granny", but really don't want to worry about being taken as fodder by some militant.

I am on one in April...similar route. Final payment is in next few days. I don't plan on changing things, but will ask TA what she is hearing.

[cinnamon]

We’re due to be sailing on Azamara Quest from Dubai to Athens in late March. Through the straits of Hormuz, up the Red Sea and a Suez Canal transit. All paid for by now of course. Watching the situation! 

[Lindy028]

13 minutes ago, cinnamon said:

We’re due to be sailing on Azamara Quest from Dubai to Athens in late March. Through the straits of Hormuz, up the Red Sea and a Suez Canal transit. All paid for by now of course. Watching the situation! 

We are on the previous cruise to yours, Quest March 17th and we too are monitoring the situation. We only have about 10 weeks to our cruise so hoping Azamara make a decision ASAP. Having said that, the logistics of altering all these cruises is mind boggling, however I know that Azamara will be looking at all the possibilities and that the safety and security of all their passengers and employees will be their priority.

[tring]

We will beat you all as we are due to arrive in Dubai on 24th February from Sri Lanka with four ports on our way up the coast of India (including a couple of overnights).  The ship will have to go somewhere as it is a change over base, but I suppose it could put us off at Muscat, which means it would not have to traverse Hormuz.  I think the western countries will just add to the current patrols in the area, unless there is a full scale war affecting Hormuz, which is not currently expected.

 

There are always changes to cruises for various reasons so no point worrying.  The cruise company will be responsible for our onward travel to Dubai under British legislation.  We have a 4 night hotel stay and return flight booked from Dubai, so is what we would want. 

Edited January 4, 2020 by tring

[mef_57]

Canada just posted increased security warnings for UAE, Oman, Jordan and Isreal which involves the first half of my April cruise and the area that interested me the most. Not much interested in a shortened cruise from Cyprus to Venice.

Not a nervous nellie for personal safety but hate to knowingly book something that mean potential loss of all the travel funds if having to pull out at last minute. Many insurances don't cover terrorism or acts of war. I am very possesive of my travel budget😁  currently hoping that by April things will have blown over.

[Jayayeff]

4 hours ago, mef_57 said:

Canada just posted increased security warnings for UAE, Oman, Jordan and Isreal which involves the first half of my April cruise and the area that interested me the most. Not much interested in a shortened cruise from Cyprus to Venice.

Not a nervous nellie for personal safety but hate to knowingly book something that mean potential loss of all the travel funds if having to pull out at last minute. Many insurances don't cover terrorism or acts of war. I am very possesive of my travel budget😁  currently hoping that by April things will have blown over.

 

I think it's way too early to speculate what may or may not happen over the coming weeks/months and what impact it may have on our travel plans.   I was over near Port Rashid yesterday and there were 4 cruise ships at the terminal all carrying on as normal with their changeover day or port call day.  All the UAE international airports and airlines are operating flights as per normal too.  Most airlines have been avoiding Iraqi airspace for some time now... I have a Seychelles cruise booked in a few weeks on a very small ship that is currently still here in the Gulf.  It sailed from Dubai to Doha yesterday afternoon and is scheduled to sail out through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Indian Ocean later this week.... I'm keeping my fingers crossed nothing happens in the meantime!!!!

 

Anne...

Edited January 5, 2020 by Jayayeff

[mef_57]

5 hours ago, Jayayeff said:

 

I think it's way too early to speculate what may or may not happen over the coming weeks/months and what impact it may have on our travel plans.   I was over near Port Rashid yesterday and there were 4 cruise ships at the terminal all carrying on as normal with their changeover day or port call day.  All the UAE international airports and airlines are operating flights as per normal too.  Most airlines have been avoiding Iraqi airspace for some time now... I have a Seychelles cruise booked in a few weeks on a very small ship that is currently still here in the Gulf.  It sailed from Dubai to Doha yesterday afternoon and is scheduled to sail out through the Strait of Hormuz and into the Indian Ocean later this week.... I'm keeping my fingers crossed nothing happens in the meantime!!!!

 

Anne...

You are correct Anne. Too soon to tell. Me being me, I most likely will look for a plan B or C to have ready in the event things get canceled, but go ahead as planned.

Aside from my 'all about me' travel angst, I hope things do not accelerate and safety for those living in the region is maintained.

Stay safe and hope your Seychelles trip happens and is wonderful.

[CruisingFox27]

Further escalation in hostilities this evening as Iran has launched missiles on US air bases in Iraq. I'm sure they'll be updates on travel advice in the coming days.

We're due to sail to Oman then through the Strait of Hormuz and into Abu Dhabi and Dubai in early March. 

I've no doubt if there's any safety issues the cruise companies will take appropriate evasive action. 

[baldilocks]

I think it wise to consider whether or not to go on a cruise any where near Iran or the straits at this time. A cruise ship is a mighty large target.

[NeilWM]

Also be aware that restrictions are often placed on the airspace used by flights on Emirates, Etihad and Qatar to that area

[Skoobdo]

6 hours ago, NeilWM said:

Also be aware that restrictions are often placed on the airspace used by flights on Emirates, Etihad and Qatar to that area

Emirates already cancelled flights and are avoiding the airspace.

[baldilocks]

Now that Iran has 'sort of' admitted they shot down the airliner, there is civil unrest in the streets of Tehran. When there is civil unrest, Iran tends to strike out against the US or any allies in the gulf to take away the pressure of the civil unrest. The area is still a violent area and anything can happen. I just think a bit of caution needs to be applied when touring the area.

[cinnamon]

I’ve been checking this thread regularly, somewhat surprised at how few people are commenting here. There are lots of ships currently cruising in the Gulf. We are booked on Azamara Quest for 28th March and paid our final balance before the latest escalation in tensions. 

Does Cruisecritic have any threads elsewhere about this?

[Skoobdo]

5 hours ago, cinnamon said:

I’ve been checking this thread regularly, somewhat surprised at how few people are commenting here. There are lots of ships currently cruising in the Gulf. We are booked on Azamara Quest for 28th March and paid our final balance before the latest escalation in tensions. 

Does Cruisecritic have any threads elsewhere about this?

Cruise ships are still embarking passengers here in Dubai.  I'm on the next MSC Bellissima cruise departing Dubai in about 5 days.  Talked to a couple the last few days who left on the same ship yesterday. The only thing going on in this part of the world right now is the death and mourning of the long time ruler of Oman and the flooding in Dubai, due to major down pours.  Other than that, everything is business as usual, and the Dubai Annual Shopping Festival is still in effect, which has put a major dent in my wallet, which I would deem tragic 😊