By Gene Sloan, USA TODAY
Costa Cruises today extended its previously announced cancellation of calls in Tunisia and Alexandria, Egypt through the end of the year and also dropped calls in Israel, blaming the uncertainty in the region.
"While (Costa) values and appreciates the great appeal of these three countries as prime tourist destinations, due to recent events, (we have) decided to change the itineraries of all (Mediterranean) cruises that included calls to those countries," the line says in a statement sent to USA TODAY. "The changes will enable the company to efficiently plan and execute its complex technical and maritime operations for the entire season."
Costa canceled calls in Egypt and Tunisia in February after violence erupted in the region but at the time left open the possibility of resuming visits to the countries this year if "relevant authorities (declared) the restoration of stability and safety." Costa also has continued to visit Israel until now.
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The pull-out affects a number of Costa ships sailing in the Mediterranean this year, including the Costa Concordia, Costa Serena and Costa Magica.
The line says all seven-day Mediterranean voyages that had a scheduled one-day call at Tunis, Tunisia, will be replaced with a one-day call at Malta, Palma de Mallorca, Spain, or Cagliari, Italy. All itineraries with scheduled calls at Alexandria, Egypt, and Haifa and Ashdod, Israel, instead will offer alternative calls at Limassol, Cyprus; Rhodes, Greece; Marmaris, Turkey, or the newly added ports of Alanya and Antalya, Turkey.
While it is pulling out of Alexandria, Egypt for the rest of the year, Costa will continue to operate voyages to the Red Sea out of Sharm-El-Sheik, Egypt on the Costa Allegra. Costa recently announced the Allegra would resume its scheduled itinerary out of Sharm-El-Sheik, which includes a multi-day stop in Safaga, Egypt, gateway to the ruins of Luxor.
The line has posted details of the changes at its website, costacruises.com.
"Costa's highest priority is to ensure for all its guests a relaxing, worry-free experience, and the cruise line is trying to minimize any last-minute itinerary modifications," the line says.
Costa says it plans to resume calls in Egypt, Tunisia and Israel during Mediterranean voyages in 2012.
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Posted Mar 8 2011 10:51AM
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