To heck with the pirates, cruisers are not walking the plank, reports Cruiseweek, a newsletter for the cruise industry.
Editor Mike Driscoll writes that when the Crystal Symphony leaves Dubai this week en route to Athens, the first port of call is Salalah, Oman, followed by a May 22-24 cruising across the Gulf of Aden, site of frequent pirate attacks on vessels.
Are clients worried?
One luxury travel agent told Cruiseweek that while the pirate attacks certainly haven't helped business for cruises going through the region, the "surprising truth" is it doesn't seem to bother those experienced travelers who booked the sailings in
the first place.
A verification of this view can be found in the response to Crystal's offer of a complimentary three-day overland as an option for passengers when the ship goes through the Gulf (getting off in Oman and reboarding in Egypt). Some 90% opted to stay onboard.
Speedy ships are safer
"Most of our guests have been realistic," says Crystal President Gregg Michel. "They know that Crystal Cruises' greatest concern is for their safety."
Michel, who is also chairman of CLIA, contends, "Despite all of the media attention, the risk to cruise ships in this area is considered to be minimal. To the best of our knowledge, no successful attacks have occurred on ships traveling at 15 knots or more."
Crystal Symphony will be traveling at a speed well in excess of 15 knots, and it is very maneuverable. "Of course, we have taken a number of additional precautionary measures," adds Michel. "We've continued to communicate with guests about our practices before the cruise and will be during the cruise."
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