ISIS threat to Cruise ships on the Mediterreanean

oh, ffs !!!!!!!

ISIS, Zika, Chickungunye (?), muggings...............how the hell am I supposed to enjoy my cruise if I have to worry so much ?

No, not the quite the same ewoodspark, just pointing out here we have been having this same general discussion for some time on a number of different threads on this forum. The fact that the British military suddenly got concerned is important, but as we talked about before, the US Coast Guard has been tasked with establishing TSPs in line with world air carrier security practices. Going to be lots of changes forthcoming in the realm of traditional cruising.

As far as cancellations go. If someone is making a last minute cancellation right now they could be out, unless they have insurance and even then they are mostly likely going to lose. But these threats are going to have far reaching and extensive negative repercussion for the cruise industry over the long term, not just over what might happen in the way of cancellations in the short term. Possibly meaning folks will begin to not even consider booking cruises into areas of unrest, let alone have to worry about canceling something already booked. In short, the industrial world as well as world travelers have a lot more to worry about than a few cancellations. My bet is that the cruise lines aren't going to be cruising to these locations much longer. In fact they have already began doing so.

As pointed out previously, we had a 5 week cruise booked for over 6 months on HAL and canceled it over 6 months before embarkation. The reason we canceled was due to political and sectarian unrest within 60% of the areas we were to visit. The cancellation didn't cost us one dime and insurance did not come into play.

Thanks, I will look them up and may get a quote for my next trip.

The policy is through our cruise agent (CruisesOnly) and the protection is offered through a company called "LeisureCare". We had to use them once for a refund following an accident my wife was in close to sail date and we got a full refund in about 6 weeks.

Was that plan through the Cruise line, the TA or independent travel insurance ? Do you know the name of the company that wrote the policy ?

As a matter of fact JusMe...it does. On our last cruise, when we purchased the cruise insurance (as we always do), our agent told us that for $5 more pp, we could get a higher plan that would allow us to cancel for any reason prior to the cruise and get a 100% refund (even if we cancel the day of sailing). Guess it depends on the insurance company and it may be a new plan that has been implemented.

Travel insurance does not cover that you changed your mind about going on a cruise. You need a medical reason of why you can not go. That being said I'm sure most people can get their family doctor to give a medical note that they have the Flu, cold, sinus infection or something like that they they can not go. These would have to be last minute excuses so the trips would have been paid in full by then.

I myself would go on a Med cruise, I wont be scared into stop living my life.

My thought is that I refuse to be scared. ISIS can be anywhere. You could be at a Mall, a bus station, a concert or even at work if they decide to strike there. I feel cowering down to their threats is feeding them a reaction they are trying to impose. I will continue to live my life in as much happiness as possible and that includes cruising. Of course, I will refrain from booking to regions where ISIS is prevalent and countries that support them are.

Your report is the same but no answer to possible cancellations?

We have had a number of discussions regarding cruise ship vulnerability on this forum before. The problem is not going away. The U.S. Coast Guard announced plans to create the Terminal Screening Program (TSP) in an effort to systematize security screening procedures at cruise ship terminals across the country. Stay tuned.

http://cruiseline.com/forum/post/is-the-cruise-industry-going-to-be-able-to-continue-to-regard-checked-luggage-differently-than-the-tsa-does-carry-on-luggage-on-air-transports

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2016/01/articles/terrorism-1/uk-naval-commander-warns-that-isis-could-target-cruise-ships-in-Mediterranean/

". . . This isn't about the ports and the safety of them. A terrorist could be among you at the buffet, laying by the pool, playing slots, drinking at the bar … they lay in wait. They're completely legitimate looking like one of us. 50 of them could board a ship as a passenger with a clean record. They've been trained in other countries. They've lived in the countries they're in for years and they lay in wait anticipating their marching orders. Then three days into the cruise, they take over the ship and start killing passengers . . . And that's how it'll go down."

http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2015/03/articles/terrorism-1/how-the-next-jihadist-terror-attack-against-cruise-passengers-will-happen/