Should I stay or should I go?

I could not help but to feel for a couple of my clients last week. Due to nothing other than bad timing, they are booked onto a Red Sea cruise that is due to leave in a few weeks time. Now currently the Foreign Office is advising that all but essential travel to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Suez should be avoided, but many cruise lines are still travelling as they are not touching on the above. So should you stay or should you go?


Upon speaking with the said cruise line, it was made apparent that the cruise was still going and there was no real possibility of transferring the cruise to another or getting a refund. I think the term playing it by ear was thrown around. Not great news if you’re meant to be taking kids on a cruise to Egypt at a time like this. The bad news is, if you do decide to stay at home I'm afraid that will be your money lost, but this is a price many of you are willing to pay rather than risk putting your family in harm’s way.

In reality it is very unlikely that the cruise lines would allow its ships to sail into the danger zone. As unsettling as it sounds, the operator would be in massive trouble and face huge repercussions if they are caught doing anything other than putting passenger safety first.

I'm afraid the final decision is up to you. You will only get your money back if the cruise line decides not to travel, even then you may not find out until a few days before. If you are in a party where children are included, then you may feel a little more worried about travelling, but I'm afraid the rules are the same. So whatever you choose just be aware of the consequences and make sure you think your decision though. Your best bet I’m afraid is to wait and see unless the operator advises otherwise and make your mind up at the last possible moment.