Cruise Ships to Istanbul Change Itineraries
Latest Istanbul schedule changes as of July 1, 2016
As is the too-often recurring case in the wake of tragedies in Europe, cruise lines are quick to adjust their ships’ itineraries. Passenger safety and comfort levels are a priority. Some cruise lines are reimbursing airline change fees even if air was not booked through the cruise line.
Here are latest updates:
Carnival
Istanbul is not on any remaining Carnival cruise itineraries for 2016. The only ship currently in the Med is the new Carnival Vista and the ship still intends its scheduled stop in Kusadasi, Turkey, the closest port to the ancient ruin city of Ephesus.
Celebrity
Originally scheduled for seven more sailings from Istanbul this year, Celebrity’s Constellation and Equinox will now depart from Piraeus, Greece, the cruise port for Athens.
Cunard
Queen Victoria is the only one of Cunard’s ships that had two planned calls in Istanbul this year; both are canceled.
Princess
Upcoming visit to Istanbul by Royal Princess is canceled. Princess has not yet canceled upcoming port visits to Istanbul for later this year. Kusadasi is still an intended port of call throughout the rest of the cruise season.
Royal Caribbean
No scheduled visits to Istanbul were on the books for 2016 and the cruise line still plans port visits to Kusadasi.
Seabourn
Upcoming departure this weekend aboard the Seabourn Odessey from Istanbul is canceled and passengers will board in Piraeus, Greece. Seabourn has not yet canceled the four remaining Istanbul departures later in the summer and mid-autumn.
Windstar
Windstar’s Wind Star sailing ship canceled 16 port departures from Istanbul and will board passengers at Piraeus for the remainder of 2016. Port calls at Kusadasi are also canceled.
Seven cruise lines that had already crossed Istanbul off their port line-up include: Costa, Crystal, Disney, MSC, Norwegian, Oceania and Regent.
Each cruise line is of course closely monitoring the region and will notify passengers if any changes occur. Booked guests can usually find up-to-date information about itinerary changes on their cruise line’s website.
