Azamara Club Cruises gives Israel a wide berth….
Azamara Club Cruises says it cancelled a port call that was to have taken place Sunday in Ashdod, Israel — the traditional gateway to Jerusalem — as tensions in the region remain high following last week’s flotilla incident.
“We concluded that it would be in the best interest of everyone onboard to cancel our visit to Ashdod,” Azamara spokeswoman Cynthia Martinez tells USA TODAY.
The change of plan for the 694-passenger Azamara Quest came six days after Israeli commandos raided a Gaza-bound aid flotilla in the waters off Israel, killing nine people and sparking international protests. The port of Ashdod has been at the centre of ensuing events, with aid ships being diverted to the port.Martinez says the Azamara Quest on Sunday sailed directly to its next port of call, Haifa, Israel, and will remain docked there until 10:00 p.m. local time today.
Martinez says the change isn’t having a major impact on the ship’s passengers, as the two ports are not far apart.”Because of the close proximity of Haifa to Jerusalem, all shore excursions purchased through Azamara Club Cruises for the port call in Ashdod (Jerusalem) are able to continue as scheduled,” Martinez says. Azamara’s move comes just days after industry giant, Princess cruises cancelled a port call in Ashdod. Like the Quest, the 688-passenger Pacific Princess went ahead with a call in Haifa.
I was trying to get a quote for a Celebrity cruises to the region earlier today but wasn’t able to as Celebrity have ‘red flagged’ cruises to this region at the moment. Probably for the best, all things considered.
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