Several cruise lines have announced they will reduce or suspend calls to Turkish ports, citing heightened concerns about global terrorism and the risk of violence in certain cities.
Most recently, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. announced at the end of January that it would suspend all calls to Turkey following a recent attack in Istanbul. The company said the decision affects Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
“Our primary concern is to ensure the safety and security of our guests and crew. Due to recent events in Turkey, we are suspending all calls to the country through 2016 across all NCLH brands. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and make future itinerary adjustments as appropriate. We have begun the process of informing guests booked on the affected cruises of the itinerary changes and will update the respective brand websites with revised voyage information,” the company said in a statement.
In recent months, other cruise lines have made similar itinerary changes. Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Seabourn have all altered or reduced their port calls to Turkey. Those decisions reflect broader industry caution as operators reassess routing to prioritize passenger and crew safety.
Travelers with bookings that include Turkish ports should check directly with their cruise line for the latest itinerary updates and guidance. Cruise operators typically notify affected guests and update voyage information on their official channels when changes occur.