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The cruise ship, which was built in 1997, had been operating cruises from Israel that were canceled last week after the war began. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports.Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. The next scheduled sailing for the cruise ship is its Sunday, November 12, 2023 departure from Barcelona, Spain.
Cruise News Recap: Carnival Tampering, Dining Changes, Evacuation
Shortly after RCI-Royal Caribbean's cancellation of cruises departing from Israel, the cruise line redirected a ship back to the country, albeit for a different purpose. As the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated, US nationals residing in Israel sought a means of leaving the region, and the US State Department requested assistance from RCI to evacuate Americans from Israel. At this time, no other cruise ships have been requested for similar evacuations, but the situation is fluid and new plans may be developed at any time. The US government, via the embassy in Israel, is assisting US citizens and their immediate family members to evacuate from Israel to Cyprus on Monday, October 16, 2023. The evacuation will be via Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas, which will take travelers from Haifa, Israel, to Limassol, Cyprus. Royal Caribbean's sister brand, Celebrity Cruises, called off a visit to Israel that Celebrity Apex had scheduled earlier in the week.
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Royal Caribbean is helping the United States evacuate Americans from Israel - Royal Caribbean Blog
Royal Caribbean is helping the United States evacuate Americans from Israel.
Posted: Mon, 16 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
The IDF said Saturday it would allow safe movement on specified streets for residents to move from the northern city of Beit Hanoun to Khan Yunis in the south — a roughly 20-mile distance of rubble-strewn streets. The estimate represents roughly half the population of northern Gaza, where the IDF is gearing up for the next stages of its war with Hamas, which runs the territory. The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt is the only remaining outlet to get people out of the enclave and supplies into it, but it has been closed for much of the past week.
U.S. Embassy Organizes Emergency Evacuation by Ship for Americans Wanting to Leave Israel
Evacuee Idella Schatzberg was leaving for Cyprus with her two tots in tow. Her husband was staying behind for the time being, but hoping to rejoin the family in Dallas by Wednesday, she told ABC News. The line’s Rhapsody of the Seas vessel had been sailing in the region but canceled its itineraries in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.
A Japanese consortium made up of coastal shipping company Imoto Lines and marine software company Marindows is launching a government-backed effort to develop a next-generation containership. Plans call not only for the vessel to address decarbonization with the ability to operate emissions-free, but also to address the emerging challenges due to the lack of seafarers in Japan. The companies have scheduled the completion of the vessel for January 2027.Imoto, which is a leading operator of coastal feeder ships,...
Royal Caribbean cruise ship evacuated Americans from Israel
U.S. Government Arranges Cruise Ship to Evacuate Americans Stranded in Israel - gCaptain
U.S. Government Arranges Cruise Ship to Evacuate Americans Stranded in Israel.
Posted: Mon, 16 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
And Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially called the cruise line's decision to sail from Israel an "important economic, touristic moment" for the country. Travel to the ship’s departure site in Haifa “is conducted at your own risk, and plans may change depending on the security situation. The U.S. government is unable to guarantee your safety,” the announcement stated. With air travel halted to Israel, a maritime connection became the most viable alternative, given that major U.S. airlines temporarily suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv.
All travelers must also have a valid passport, though assistance is available if eligible individuals do not have their passports in their possession. All travelers may bring on bag up to 50 pounds, plus one small carry-on bag. With her Israel cruise season now cancelled, Rhapsody of the Seas is assisting in an emergency evacuation of US nationals out of Israel. The embassy had informed U.S. residents that the voyage was based on space available on the ship, which had its cruises cancelled out of Haifa due to the geopolitical situation. The US State Department said that in addition to the ship, chartered flights from Israel will be available for American citizens on Monday and Tuesday. The move comes as the Israeli military is preparing for an all-out ground assault on Gaza in retaliation for last week’s deadly attacks by Hamas that killed at least 1,400 people, including at least 30 Americans.
The cruise ship line Royal Caribbean stepped in to help after commercial airlines mostly stopped flying into Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport, making it extremely difficult to get out of the country. “Each traveler must be a U.S. national or the immediate family member (spouse/partner, children under age 21) of a U.S. national and have a valid passport,” the alert said. The embassy said travelers would be responsible for arranging their own accommodations and travel from Cyprus, but that chartered flights were also being arranged.
Charter options and assistance to arrange such travel will be available. Space onboard the cruise ship is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. As the passage between Haifa and Limassol is approximately 170 miles (274 kilometers), the trip is expected to take hours. Meals and Wi-Fi service will be provided onboard, though guests will not likely be assigned individual staterooms for this short journey.
Large-scale demonstrations in support of Palestinians took place around Europe this weekend as conditions in Gaza deteriorated with tens of thousands of residents attempting to flee Israeli airstrikes. Biden meanwhile, has called for the protection of civilians as the US has been working to alleviate shortages of food, water and gas. Southern Gaza is also experiencing shortages of food, water and fuel, she said. India’s navy is continuing to demonstrate its prowess joining the world stage among the most elite strike teams.
US President Joe Biden on Sunday said there’s "no clear evidence" of Iran being behind the attacks. Jilani called for a ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza from the Rafah crossing. He said Israel and Egypt were ready to facilitate aid delivery, contingent upon a cessation of hostilities.
The Rhapsody of the Seas ship can accommodate more than 2,400 passengers, according to Royal Caribbean’s website.
These Israel-bound itineraries were replaced with visits to alternative destinations like Turkey or Greece. At the moment, it is unknown whether just one seagoing evacuation will be used or if additional voyages may be necessary in the coming days. It is possible that additional trips could be planned to accommodate US citizens in Israel who were unable to reach Haifa by Monday morning for the scheduled departure. All travelers will be responsible for their own onward travel plans from Cyprus, whether returning to the US or traveling elsewhere.
