Cruise Lines Change Israel Itineraries Due to Hamas Attacks

Cruise ship at Haifa port. Photo source: Haifa port.

Cruise companies are rerouting or suspending ship calls to ports in Israel after a surprise attack by Hamas over the weekend led Israel to declare war and order a siege on Gaza.

Cruise lines said that they were closely monitoring the situation in Israel, and reviewing itinerary options prioritizing the safety and security of guests and crew.

The announcements come after major international airlines cancelled their flights to and from Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv earlier this week.

Cruise lines have stopped approaches to Israel and are now preparing alternative routes. Major lines including Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line have notified travelers of disruption and itinerary changes.

Cruise ship at Ashdod port. Photo source: Ashdod port.

According to media reports, Celebrity Cruises plans to replace Celebrity Apex visits to Israel and Egypt with stops ατ Santorini, Mykonos and Rhodes in Greece and Bodrum, Turkey.

Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam will travel to Alanya, Turkey, instead of Ashdod, Israel. Changes have been announced for other planned calls.

Princess Cruises’ Princess will not be making calls in Israel and is rerouting its Island Princess sailings.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade will make calls to Bodrum and Marmaris in Turkey instead of planned visits to Ashdod and Haifa.

Cruise ship at Haifa port. Photo source: Haifa port.

Oceania Cruises’ Sirena ship will replace planned calls to Haifa and Ashdod with stops in Santorini, Heraklion and Mykonos.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises and TUI Cruises also announced plans to replace Seven Seas Voyager stops in Israel with calls in Turkey and Egypt.

MSC Cruises cancelled its MSC Musica call to Haifa replacing it with stops in Greece and Turkey.

Celestyal Cruises also announced that it will temporarily suspend calling to Israel on its “Three Continents” cruise until the end of November.