Libya port calls canceled

[TedC]

We leave a week from today for Lisbon and board Prinsendam 14 Aug. I just happened to look at the itinerary for our cruise on HAL's website today and saw that Libya had vanished.

A new port in Tunisia and a second day in Katakalon, Greece, were substituted. Anoher port in Tunisia was canceled for "operational reasons" earlier and Malta was subbed.

Haven't heard anything from HAL yet. I told my TA and she hadn't been notified either. I checked he State Department of countries to avoid and Libya wasn't on the list as of this PM.

Libya was the prime reason we booked this itinerary. We've been to all the other countries. Friends stopped in Libya last year on a Lindblad cruise without incident.

I had been worried the stops might be canceled but became more optimistic when it was announced several weeks ago that the US was resuming diplomatic relations with Libya.

We're disappointed that we won't be going to Leptis Magna or Cyrene, which we've been anticipating for almost a year.

CathyC reminded me that far worse things can, and do, happen. But I'll still pout about it for awhile.

[Aussie Gal]

Ted.

How are you? It seems ages since we were on the Maasdam together. I do feel for you as it is so disappointing when a port is cancelled. It happened to us in January when we couldn't tender into the Falklands. One of the reasons I had booked our itinerary besides going to Antarctica was to see the Falklands.

I think they have cancelled because of the war between Israel and Lebanon and the Libyans do know that the U.S. sides with Israel. I think it is a precaution and I have read that often U.S. citizens cannot leave the ship in Libya but other nationals can. If the ship has mostly U.S. citizens on board, it is really not worth docking in that country.

Never mind, you are still going to have a wonderful cruise. I love the Prinsendam, it is a great size with a fantastic crew.

Jennie

[RuthC]

Wise woman ya got there, Ted. She's a keeper fer sure. ;)

Sorry about your change in ports. But knowing you I'm sure you'll have a fun time anyway.

[hammybee]

Ted:
I think we collided on another post , same subject, a few weeks ago. It seems you and I might be the only two who remained interested in visiting this port.

While I can appreciate the strong feelings of other people, I put aside all current and past politics when traveling. I share your disappointment.

[dakrewser]

Blame the charismatic but enigmatic Mr. Khadafi. At this moment, holders of US passports are banned from Libya. Of course, that could change....

[jig]

I too have been keeping up with HALs situation for Libya as I am due to stop then in Nov on the UK's PO Artemas. They ARE stopping there but as an American I most likely will not be let off the ship. Not happy about it but nothing we can do. We were to stop in beirut as well but that has been cancelled. They were the main reasons I chose this one. Costa has been stopping there but as most of the Pax are europian they continue to go. My girlfriend is Australian so she will go for the both of us.

jeffrey