QE World Cruise Itinerary Change

Hello! I'm joining that last 20 days of Queen Elizabeth's World Cruise next year with family, boarding in Dubai and getting off in Southampton. Was interested (but not all that surprised) to get a note yesterday from Cunard saying that the itinerary had changed to avoid the Egyptian ports of Safaga and Sokhna and will instead be visiting Salalah in Oman and Aqaba in Jordan (for Petra).

Has anyone visited these ports? Have always wanted to visit Petra so not too disappointed - naturally safety and security are far more important than sightseeing so not too upset about Safaga and Sokhna. Also interested to know whether other cruise lines have suspended their visits to these ports or whether Cunard is just being cautious in their forward planning.

Thanks!

Hello! I'm joining that last 20 days of Queen Elizabeth's World Cruise next year with family, boarding in Dubai and getting off in Southampton. Was interested (but not all that surprised) to get a note yesterday from Cunard saying that the itinerary had changed to avoid the Egyptian ports of Safaga and Sokhna and will instead be visiting Salalah in Oman and Aqaba in Jordan (for Petra).

 

Has anyone visited these ports? Have always wanted to visit Petra so not too disappointed - naturally safety and security are far more important than sightseeing so not too upset about Safaga and Sokhna. Also interested to know whether other cruise lines have suspended their visits to these ports or whether Cunard is just being cautious in their forward planning.

 

Thanks!

Hi Kiwinick...we have been discussing that, and other issues, on our roll call thread. Why not pop over and join the roll call for this cruise, titled QE 2015 World Cruise and segments.

Hello! I'm joining that last 20 days of Queen Elizabeth's World Cruise next year with family, boarding in Dubai and getting off in Southampton. Was interested (but not all that surprised) to get a note yesterday from Cunard saying that the itinerary had changed to avoid the Egyptian ports of Safaga and Sokhna and will instead be visiting Salalah in Oman and Aqaba in Jordan (for Petra).

 

Has anyone visited these ports? Have always wanted to visit Petra so not too disappointed - naturally safety and security are far more important than sightseeing so not too upset about Safaga and Sokhna. Also interested to know whether other cruise lines have suspended their visits to these ports or whether Cunard is just being cautious in their forward planning.

 

Thanks!

Hi kiwinick. My compliments on taking the change in your itinerary with such good grace. I've often thought that those in charge of planning port stops must have a very difficult job, especially when it comes to a World Cruise or its segments; there are so many factors to consider in a rapidly changing world. Just my guess, but there are more port changes yet to come. Hopefully, any further changes will be met with the same equanimity you have shown.

Best wishes,

Salacia

P.S. For starters, I'll bet a dollar to a donut that the Amber Cove port stop on the World Cruise will be changed.

We have been to Aqaba several times on world cruises. The trip to Petra is a must; it is phenomenal and will be a highlight of all your travels.

Have also been to Salalah a couple of times. There is nothing at the port so you need to either take a tour or a taxi. We enjoyed the Salalah museum, a modern and excellent place with a lot of interesting things about the past in the region (with very welcome air conditioning). Also went to Job's tomb on a hill, went to an open air souk and to a beach to see the frankincense trees. Salalah has no rise buildings, is mostly desert and, interestingly, we noticed that all the shops have their names in english as well as arabic. We took a Cunard tour for half a day and saw all of the above. Wish you were going to Muscat, Oman, instead as that is one of our favorite places.

. Wish you were going to Muscat, Oman, instead as that is one of our favorite places.

Yes, one our top ports. As to Petra, a must if you get the chance. I would not want to visit Egypt right now, possibly never again.

David.

Interesting that Cunard cancelled so early. On this year's World Voyage the Egyptian ports were not cancelled until about four weeks before we were due there.

Thanks everyone! I guess it definitely helps to cancel ports sooner rather than later from my point of view, I am pleased they didn't leave it until closer to our departure date because you end up scrambling to change plans/tours etc. At least this way there will hopefully be no surprises! Will head over to the roll call and check out what our fellow cruisers are saying.

P.S. For starters, I'll bet a dollar to a donut that the Amber Cove port stop on the World Cruise will be changed.

Why is that?

Hi underwatr. Firstly, I should have clarified that I was talking about the QM2 2016 World Cruise scheduled port stop at Amber Cove. I received the 2016 WC brochure a couple of day ago in the mail, and my tiny brain fixed on that itinerary. (The QM2 maiden port stop at Amber Cove is currently scheduled for Nov 2015, which was apparently added after the 2016 WC brochure was printed, because it's listed in the brochure as "the maiden call" at Amber Cove.)

Anyway, it's just my hunch that Amber Cove won't be ready by the scheduled port stop date of 22 Jan 2016. It's an project that involves several entities beyond the control of CCL.

Unlike the CCL port at Princess Cays, Amber Cove is far more involved and not as self-contained: "...the development was envisioned to include a water park amenity of between 7 and 14 acres with two integrated food and beverage locations; an intermodal transport center with active zones for 50 taxis, 50 coaches, and 50 rental cars; an intermodal staging area for 150 taxis and from 100 to 150 coach buses; a government office building; a series of shops totaling 35,000 to 40,000 square feet; a destination duty-free shop of about 10,000 to 12,000 square feet; and a hilltop food and beverage establishment with a ramp and mechanical access from below." - copied from

http://www.atkinsglobal.com/en-gb/projects/amber-cove-cruise-terminal

Anyway, it's just my guess, and I could certainly be wrong yet again :) -S.

I think that adding an Amber Cove stop in November 2105 shows faith (at least today) that the port will be accepting ships in 2016.

But on the other hand the Panama Canal expansion was supposed to be completed before its centennial in 2014 so there is a matter of construction realities in that part of the world.

I thought CCL was managing the development of Amber Cove even though it will be open to non-CCL lines as well. So it's not as much out of their control as the Panama Canal, for example.

I think that adding an Amber Cove stop in November 2105 shows faith (at least today) that the port will be accepting ships in 2016.

 

But on the other hand the Panama Canal expansion was supposed to be completed before its centennial in 2014 so there is a matter of construction realities in that part of the world.

 

I thought CCL was managing the development of Amber Cove even though it will be open to non-CCL lines as well. So it's not as much out of their control as the Panama Canal, for example.

According to a few reports that I read, the Amber Cove Cruise Center is a joint project between Carnival Corporation & PLC and the Rannik family/Grupo B&R. Here's two reports: http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/65-million-amber-cove-cruise-center-set-open-2014-35244 and http://www.carnival.com/Funville/forums/p/227381/1185220.aspx

It would seem logical to me that the government of the Dominican Republic is also heavily involved, especially considering that a government building is reportedly being constructed at the cruise center.

Perhaps other factors beyond the control of Carnival Corp would be health and safety concerns which several countries note as travel advisories for the Dominican Republic?

We have been to Aqaba several times on world cruises. The trip to Petra is a must; it is phenomenal and will be a highlight of all your travels.

 

Have also been to Salalah a couple of times. There is nothing at the port so you need to either take a tour or a taxi. We enjoyed the Salalah museum, a modern and excellent place with a lot of interesting things about the past in the region (with very welcome air conditioning). Also went to Job's tomb on a hill, went to an open air souk and to a beach to see the frankincense trees. Salalah has no rise buildings, is mostly desert and, interestingly, we noticed that all the shops have their names in english as well as arabic. We took a Cunard tour for half a day and saw all of the above. Wish you were going to Muscat, Oman, instead as that is one of our favorite places.

I have to agree wholehearted with the above. I have also done both the same tours as mentioned, both Cunard tours and they were great. Petra, do not miss it! The Oman is fabulous and a jewel unspoiled. Far better ports of call IMO than Egypt. Cleaner and safer .

Petra would be one of the most memorable ports that I have visited. I took a tour from the ship. I would happily go again.

Hi,

I've just tried to book the Petra shore tour for April 2015 visit, but I'm "waitlisted". Does anyone know if this means the tour is full or just has not been made available yet ?

It will be full as we booked it when it first came out - there may be cancellations though, so worth waitlisting

Hi,

I've just tried to book the Petra shore tour for April 2015 visit, but I'm "waitlisted". Does anyone know if this means the tour is full or just has not been made available yet ?

It may appear to be fully booked 'on line', but wait until you board the ship and contact the Tour Office immediately late afternoon you board the ship. They often arrange for 'extra transport nearer the date' if they have more guests interested.

Almost everyone wants to visit Petra, you'll have no problem as there are dozens of tour companies in the area of Aqaba who specialise in this day tour.:)

It may appear to be fully booked 'on line', but wait until you board the ship and contact the Tour Office immediately late afternoon you board the ship. They often arrange for 'extra transport nearer the date' if they have more guests interested.

 

Almost everyone wants to visit Petra, you'll have no problem as there are dozens of tour companies in the area of Aqaba who specialise in this day tour.:)

Hi Bell Boy, your are quite correct. I agree with your statement and I would urge the OP to do as you say. Petra is a wonderful port of call and not to be missed. It is one of the most booked up tours on the world cruise so I am sure more space will be made available.

I went on the Cunard tour on QE on last year on the world cruise. I loved it!

Read about what I did and saw in Petra here.

https://www.cruise.co.uk/forum/109-cruise-news/41124-maggiemous-adventures-jordan-petra.html#post606647

Hi and thanks all for prompt reply. Does anyone have experience booking the Petra tour with cruisingexcursions.com.? They look reliable and "guarantee to get back to the ship on time". Wouldn't want to get left behind in Aqaba.

Hi and thanks all for prompt reply. Does anyone have experience booking the Petra tour with cruisingexcursions.com.? They look reliable and "guarantee to get back to the ship on time". Wouldn't want to get left behind in Aqaba.

I made enquiries with this company for my trip a year ago but after a few emails I decided it was better to stick to Cunard. The prices were pretty much the same but the biggest draw back for me was the time scale.

Petra a decent drive from Aqaba and I was worried that the traffic could be bad and we miss the ship. Traffic was bad and I was pleased I was a ships tour at the end of the day. Hope you make a good decision and have a great day out it is an amazing place. follow my time in Petra here.

https://www.cruise.co.uk/forum/109-cruise-news/41124-maggiemous-adventures-jordan-petra.html#post606647

Hi,

I've just tried to book the Petra shore tour for April 2015 visit, but I'm "waitlisted". Does anyone know if this means the tour is full or just has not been made available yet ?

I have also been waitlisted so was looking to do private tour if you are interested.

Hi and thanks all for prompt reply. Does anyone have experience booking the Petra tour with cruisingexcursions.com.? They look reliable and "guarantee to get back to the ship on time". Wouldn't want to get left behind in Aqaba.

I booked through Cruising excursions but they have now canceled the tour so if you are interested in linking up for a private tour let me know.