PHOTO: South Albania (Photo courtesy Tourism Albania)
Safety concerns are making Istanbul and other Turkish ports less attractive to cruise lines and they are looking to change destinations to Albania, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Cunard, P&O Cruises and Holland America all announced plans to skip Turkey in 2017, says Mary Forgione.
"After careful consideration, Cunard has taken the decision to remove Turkey from all itineraries in 2017, based upon various sources, including advice given by the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office," a Cunard statement says.
The ships will sail instead to Greek Islands rather than the original destinations in Turkey. And some cruise ships will even sail to Sarande, Albania.
Albania has become a hot topic of late as the country plans to invest more than $70 million in tourism infrastructure to modernize port cities such as Sarande.
READ MORE: Albania Receives $71 Million Loan for Tourism From World Bank
Ten Holland America flights will be affected by the change.
"Anyone who had paid for shore excursions in the skipped ports will receive a refund, according to a statement," noted Forgione.
These are not the only cruise lines to cancel calls in Turkey. Norwegian, Oceania and Regent will also not be sailing there.
For more on where these ships are sailing now and how passengers are reacting, read on here.
Source: Cruise Ships May Visit Albania Instead of Turkey
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