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Crystal Cruises cancels Turkish ports of call amid security fears
Crystal Cruises has cancelled calls at Turkish ports amid security fears.
The cruise line is replacing stops in Istanbul and Kusadasi with Greek destinations ‘in response to ongoing security concerns for travel’.
The changes impact itineraries for Crystal Symphony’s April 24 and May 1 sailings.
The cruise line will also automatically cancel pre-booked excursions and said it is developing new ones.
Turkish ports of call scheduled for April and November aboard Crystal’s new luxury yacht, Crystal Esprit, will also be changed, but new itineraries have yet to be finalised.
"The safety and peace of mind of our guests are our primary concerns and we do not take any risks with either," said Crystal CEO and President, Edie Rodriguez.
He said customers could continue their planned holidays ‘without the added worry of security in a particular destination’.
A suicide bomb blast in Istanbul on Tuesday claimed the lives of 10 German tourists.
Costa Crociere said it was closely monitoring the situation for its cruises due to call in Turkey during 2016 and would evaluate possible itinerary modifications if required. In August last year, the cruise line cancelled all remaining stops in Turkey for 2015.
Last year Disney Cruise Line removed Greece and Turkey from Disney Magic’s 12-night Mediterranean itinerary for summer 2016 amid security concerns.
Celebrity Cruises also announced at the same time that Celebrity Reflection and Celebrity Equinox would not overnight in Istanbul in 2016.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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