Costa Cruises forgoes Egypt calls

Costa Cruises said in light of the uncertain political situation in Egypt, it will cancel all scheduled calls at ports there for the upcoming 2013-14 winter season.

Costa Voyager’s seven-day sailings in the Red Sea will be canceled, and travelers will be re-accommodated on seven day cruises on Costa Fortuna, sailing from the United Arab Emirates.

Bookings on a Nov. 11 repositioning cruise of Costa Voyager to the Red Sea will be transferred to the Costa Fortuna’s repositioning cruise.

In addition, planned calls at Port Said and Alexandria, Egypt, scheduled on cruises in the eastern Mediterranean on Costa Pacifica and Costa Serena beginning Oct. 4 and Dec. 15, respectively, will be replaced with extended calls at Ashdod and Haifa, Israel.

Costa said it would return to Egypt “as soon as the social and political environment stabilizes and the cruise line can ensure the safety and security of its guests.”

Other cruise lines that have recently decided to halt Egypt calls include MSC, Holland America Line, Princess and Seabourn.

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