Rotterdam 14 September 2006 - Tripoli cancelled

[ventru]

Just had a call from our Zeetours travel agent. The itenary for our cruise on 14 September (Western Europe) has been changed:

Libia (Tripoli) is cancelled, instead of Tripoli we will visit Malta. Reason: problems with visa.

I'm not sad about this, would not have left the ship to visit Tripoli.

[MrsMuir]

ventru, you sound like a seasoned traveler who knows that all doesn't go according to plan. While I would have explored a bit of Tripoli, Gibraltar would be a fascinating port based on its history. And it would be great to greet the famous Barbary Apes. If you have time before you go, try to rent the old Alec Guiness comedy, "Captain's Paradise." The Captain has a wife in Gibraltar...but I won't spoil it, just in case you've missed it.

[hammybee]

ventru, you sound like a seasoned traveler who knows that all doesn't go according to plan. While I would have explored a bit of Tripoli, Gibraltar would be a fascinating port based on its history. And it would be great to greet the famous Barbary Apes. If you have time before you go, try to rent the old Alec Guiness comedy, "Captain's Paradise." The Captain has a wife in Gibraltar...but I won't spoil it, just in case you've missed it.

Is Malta anywhere near Gibralter?

Are there apes on Malta?

Or maybe you meant that Gibralter would have been another alternative to Tripoli.

In any event, assuming there are no apes on Malta, I think you are still going to be in for an unexpected treat while in port in Malta, if you love scenic drives, history and /or love to shop, especially for glass.

[ventru]

I'm sorry to disappoint you, but Gibraltar is way far from Malta. Our daughter lives at Gibraltar :) and we visited her in July. But Malta is new to us. I did not like Tripoli because I don't think it is safe to visit a country that does not really like Americans. We are Dutch, but I'm sure they won't know the difference.

The apes of Gibraltar are terrible, cheeky, they are real pickpockets, steal your food, bite and pi on your clothes......

And I'm always happy travelling around, never expect too much, never got disappointed. It was always GREAT, especially with HAL! We leave from our hometown Rotterdam, that's a dream come true......

[elmorejj]

Ventru, got to agree with you about the Barbary apes, real nuisances when it comes to stealing from you. We were there for the day 2 years ago while staying in Marbella, and one of the apes stole my sons sun glasses off of his face and ran up the mountain with them.........jean:cool:

[Dutchwoman]

On both our cruises on the MS Rotterdam (May and September 2006) Tripoli was cancelled. Much to our disappointment. It's one of the most interesting archeological sites. We're scheduled to sail with the MS Rotterdam April 20, 2007, the third time with Tripoli on the intinerary...
Let's hope this time we'll finally go there.
If not, we really hope it's NOT going to be substituted for Malta again!
Sebourn cruises already dropped Tripoli as a port of call for the 2007 season due to problems with a blanket visa.
Costa cruises seems to make it the responsibility of the cruise passenger to obtain a visa.
Does anyone know what the plans are of HAL concerning Tripoli.
I feel a bit deceived...

[Navy_Chief]

I was suprised HAL even put Tripoli on the itinerary in the first place as 90% of the ship are US citizens who wouldn't even be allowed off in the first place (what the heck were they thinking about :rolleyes: , maybe freestyle dining??) and in the second place, there's still that little matter of Lockerbee.....well, they appear to be changing their tune slighty now but none the less.

[CateW]

We visited Malta last summer on our cruise to the Greek Islands. It was a wonderful port, we did one of the ships tours (about 5 hours) and was a wonderful day.

[wowzo]

Our March 12, '07, Grand Med & Africa on the Prinsendam still has Tripoli on the itinerary and is selling tours online. Our instructions are that to visa can be obtained onboard, no one can go on shore without being part of a tour and no one who has an Israeli stamp on the passport can get off the ship.

However last minute change of ports can occur.

BTW, we are going to both Malta & Gibraltar as part of our regular ports-of-call. I want Egypt as an alternate but would probably get Tunis.
Will let you know, MaryAnn