The unexpected dawn assault on Saturday prompted Israel to declare a state of war, leading to a series of rocket attacks that persisted throughout the weekend.
This conflict represents the latest geopolitical tension to influence the cruise industry, which experienced significant alterations to its itineraries and deployments last year due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The situation in Israel appears poised to have a lasting impact on travel and tourism in the region, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to “change the Middle East” in response to the unexpected attacks carried out by Hamas.
The recent dawn attack on Saturday has led to Israel declaring a state of war, prompting a series of rocket attacks over the weekend.
The impact of this conflict is not limited to the region’s geopolitical tensions; it is also affecting the cruise industry. This industry had already experienced substantial itinerary changes last year due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The ongoing situation in Israel is anticipated to have a lasting influence on travel and tourism in the area. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to “change the Middle East” in response to the surprise Hamas attacks.
In response to these developments, several cruise lines have been compelled to adjust their itineraries and embarkation ports. The global repercussions of this conflict are increasingly evident as the situation continues to evolve.
Here’s the information presented in a table format:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Conflict Overview | An unexpected dawn assault on Saturday led Israel to declare a state of war, with subsequent rocket attacks. |
| Cruise Industry Impact | The cruise industry has been significantly affected, much like during the Russian invasion of Ukraine last year. |
| Tourism and Travel Impact | The ongoing situation in Israel is expected to have long-term effects on tourism and travel in the region. |
| Israeli Prime Minister’s Response | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to “change the Middle East” in response to the attacks. |
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Port Cancellations Spread to Egypt As Celebrity Scraps Alexandria
Celebrity Cruises has taken the decision to cancel planned visits to Alexandria, Egypt from its October 16, 2023 voyage of the Celebrity Apex.This decision comes in the wake of substantial itinerary changes caused by the ongoing unrest in Israel.
The ship, initially scheduled to spend two days in Alexandria, has now adjusted its itinerary. It will now make stops in Limassol, Cyprus, and Bodrum, Turkey instead of Alexandria.
In a modified itinerary provided to passengers, Celebrity Cruises explained, “As our global security team continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in Israel and the surrounding regions, we have been alerted to further situations unfolding in Alexandria, Egypt. Due to these developments, our experts have made the decision not to visit Alexandria, considering the safety and security of our guests and crew as our number one priority.”
The line did not specify the incident it was referring to, but it is likely that the recent killing of Israeli tourists in Alexandriaby an Egyptian policeman played a role in the decision to avoid the region temporarily.
Cruise Critic has reached out to Celebrity Cruises to ascertain if there will be any impact on future visits to Egyptian ports.
Airlines Cancel Service, Allow Ticket Changes for Flights to Israel
Numerous airlines have taken the step to halt flights to and from Israel due to the ongoing conflict and Israel’s declaration of war. Flightradar24 reporting that most flights to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport are either canceled or delayed.
This includes all flights from the United States operated by American Airlines, United, and Delta Air Lines. Delta has gone a step further by suspending all flights to Israel through the end of the month.
American Airlines has also announced that it will suspend all flights to Israel, with this suspension lasting at least until December 4, 2023.
Furthermore, several other carriers, such as Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines, have likewise chosen to suspend flights to Tel Aviv in the near future.
Travelers who have bookings on flights to Israeli airports are strongly advised to contact their respective airlines to ascertain the status of their flights, and to understand the rebooking or cancellation policies in place.
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