Kusadasi/Ephesus any recent stops on HAL

We are looking at a cruise nest fall, and things could change, but is HAL currently stopping at this port in Turkey?

Not currently, because HAL ships are out of the Med right now.

They did last Med season. Hard to remember what lines did what when. Some stopped all stops in Turkey, some dropped only Istanbul but continued other stops like Kusadasi, some added Turkish stops back into their itineraries after the situation calmed down. That unfortunately doesn't mean much in light of the obviously fluid situation in the region so hard to say what next season is going to be like.

We are looking at a cruise nest fall, and things could change, but is HAL currently stopping at this port in Turkey?

They don't stop there now, just came back from the Prinsendam and the Turkey stops were replaced by Rhodes and Santorini, the itineraries for next year still have the Turkey stops but they will most likely be replaced unless the situation in Turkey changes for the better..

it will be interesting to see if Prinsendam and Koningsdam make their planned stops in Kusadasi in April, 2017.

They skipped Istanbul shortly after the failed revolt but kept Kusadasi. They cancelled Kusadasi a few days before our cruise, which started September 28.

Thanks for the replies. HAL has to do what they think is best/safe. I do not fault them.

We are looking at the 10-14-17 cruise which has Kusadasi listed as a port. If that gets changed to Rhodes it will be somewhat of "Greek Island overload" for us. They are nice, but once every 12-15 years is enough, and only one or two per cruise.

Just read on another thread that HA has cancelled all Turkey stops for 2017.

Also, found this:

12/8/16 (11:50 a.m. GMT) -- Holland America Line is the latest cruise line to cancel all calls to Turkey in 2017, citing "guest preferences for alternate ports."

This follows the announcement earlier this week that sister cruise lines -- part of Carnival Corporation -- Cunard and P&O Cruises are also removing all calls to Turkey from 2017 itineraries.

In a statement issued this morning, the line said: "Holland America Line has made the decision to cancel all scheduled port calls to Turkey through 2017 based on guest preferences for alternate ports.

"Ten departures in 2017 are affected and booked guests and travel professionals on these sailings will be notified. Shore excursions booked in affected ports through Holland America Line will be refunded and taxes, fees and port expenses will be adjusted accordingly."

Such a shame but necessary for safety reasons. Istanbul was one of the most amazing stops we ever did, glad we got to see it before the world turned ugly.

Received notice from HAL that my 2 stops in Turkey in April 2017 (Istanbul and Kusadasi) have been cancelled. Feel bad for the people! The replacement Greek ports look interesting.

Received notice from HAL that my 2 stops in Turkey in April 2017 (Istanbul and Kusadasi) have been cancelled. Feel bad for the people! The replacement Greek ports look interesting.

Same for us on Grand Med next year.

harry

Same for us on Grand Med next year.

 

harry

will be there with you!

It is really sad that the amazing eastern Med ports in Turkey are no longer visited. Cannakale (ruins of Troy), Kusudasi (Ephesus) and Istanbul were the true highlights of my 1996 Aegean cruise.