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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.
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Thousands of Americans stranded in Israel evacuated by cruise ship - New York Post
Thousands of Americans stranded in Israel evacuated by cruise ship.
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.
RCI-Royal Caribbean evacuating Americans from Israel via Rhapsody OTS ship
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.
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The U.S. State Department and the Embassy in Israel announced that it chartered a cruise ship to accelerate the departure of U.S. nationals and their immediate families from Israel. The move comes as fears mount of escalation as Israel stands poised for what government officials are saying will be the next phase of the war against Hamas with an all-out air, sea, and land invasion of Gaza. US consular staff are onboard the cruise ship as well as in Limassol to assist with information and travel options. The US Embassy will provide busses from the cruise port to both international airports in Cyprus, one in Larnaca (42 miles / 68 kilometers from Limassol) and the other in Paphos (39 miles / 63 kilometers from Limassol). Rather than flights, the cruise ship is being used for this evacuation because air travel has been largely suspended to Israel at this time, and most US airlines have cancelled flights both to and from Tel Aviv. They advised the family members of U.S. government employees and some non-emergency personnel would also be authorized to depart.
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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.
Royal Caribbean cruise ship helps evacuate Americans from Israel (updated) - Seatrade Cruise News
Royal Caribbean cruise ship helps evacuate Americans from Israel (updated).
Posted: Mon, 16 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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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.
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The Gaza Health Ministry — which is controlled by Hamas — reported at least 3,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 12,500 injured since the war began. At 6 A.M., the Rhapsody of the Seas made its approach to the Haifa Port and docked at the jetty. At 10 A.M., when I came aboard for a tour, the last passengers were still dragging suitcases toward the nearby train station. But now, the cruise giant will be halting its highly anticipated Israel-based sailings, which would have shuttled fully vaccinated Israelis on three- to seven-night trips to Greece and Cyprus from Haifa, Israel, and back. “This change, while understandably very disappointing for the Israeli holidaymakers who we looked forward to welcoming on board, reflects our strong commitment to offering holidays that are as safe as they are memorable,” Bayley said in a statement. The latest outburst of violence spread across the region over the past week, with Jewish-Arab clashes and rioting in mixed cities of Israel.
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,...
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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.
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.
Container volumes at Port Houston have skyrocketed in the first quarter of 2024. Port executives reported that last month was Houston’s biggest March ever, and they are continuing to take steps to grow the port’s capabilities.Consumer spending on items like furniture and appliances they said contributed to the strong container volumes. The continued growth in volumes for the port also comes as the West Coast ports continued to rebound after weak volumes in 2023 in part due to... Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville.
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.
Royal Caribbean International is using its Haifa-based cruise ship, Rhapsody of the Seas, to assist in evacuating Americans from Israel in light of the ongoing conflict in the region. The assistance was requested by the US Embassy in Israel, with evacuations on Monday, October 16, 2023. Food and Wi-Fi were available while U.S. consular staff were available both on the ship and at the Limassol Port in Cyprus to assist and provide information about onward travel to the United States. The Royal Caribbean International cruise ship was sailing on the request of the U.S. embassy in Israel. Many cruise lines changed itineraries following the conflict, in some cases suspending stops in Israel altogether.
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.
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