Anyone reconsidering their European cruises?

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I understand where you are coming from and lived/grew up in Europe (military brat) and was there during the Persian Gulf War and even growing up in Germany (and Italy), Americans weren't exactly some of the favorites of the locals. Times change for good and bad and we learned to integrate and "deal with it". You learn to be very aware of your surroundings and basically just keep your "wits about you". The scary part for all of us is many "bad people" integrate nowadays and we don't know where evil is lurking so we just have to do our best and live our lives. I think specifically to the movie theater killings here in the US - that's just NUTS and a few years ago, who would have ever thought another thing of that.

The same thoughts came up when we were considering Paris after our Norway cruise as the Charlie Hebdo situation (massacre ) had happened and we reflected on it but knew we were going to Paris. We had to worry about the Eurostar train situation as well but all was PERFECT and although we were tired, we have no regrets and so glad I could show my DH and DS Paris. Something I was on the fence about and ended up confirming it after the tragedy was I booked a private guide for Paris. We were there only for the day and I knew the money would be well spent and allow us to do more things there we wanted to, plus if there was a real emergency or situation he/she could help us far more than being on our own. That was money well spent for sure.

I don't blame you for being cautious or building whatever type of contingency plan you need to into your plans but my recommendation is to go and live your life. I always feel connected to the comment, "driving to the airport is far more dangerous than anything else you'll do" and to me that feels so true.

I hope you have an amazing time

Heather

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

I don't have a Med cruise booked, but any place has its risks. We have had terrorist attacks here in the U.S., but that doesn't prevent me from taking day trips or vacations to places that could be theoretically targeted like Washington, D.C. or Disney World. People shouldn't live their lives in fear.

 

[holula]

I grew up in England, and moved to the US three years ago. Am returning home next year and the first thing I plan to do is go and visit Europe. I won't put my life on hold because of maybes. After the 7/7 attacks in London, I went shopping in London with my sister the following week and got entangled in being evactuated from Tube stations because of suspect packages. Everywhere has risks. Europe is probably a lot safer than the Caribbean.

 

[Saamh]

Disney is very cautious so if the situation is deemed unstable, they will change ports. They did this several years ago with the Mexican Riviera ports and on this summer's EBTA (skipped Iceland due to icebergs).

 

[mrcacou]

Being a Parisian most of your comments confort me. I would just like to remind some that we have more chances to be hit by a car on our way home than by one of these mad killers.

 

[MunFam]

I will quote the wise Rick Steve who wrote:
After Friday’s horrifying events in Paris, as we keep the victims and their families in our prayers and marvel at how violent hatred can express itself, it’s natural for those of us with travels coming up to wonder what is the correct response. Let me share my thoughts:

I have two fundamental concerns: what is safe, and what is the appropriate response to terrorism.

About safety, I believe this is an isolated incident. Tomorrow Paris will be no more dangerous than it was the day before that terrible Friday the 13th. I also believe that security in Paris and throughout Europe will be heightened in response to this attack. Remember: There’s an important difference between fear and risk.

Additionally, ISIS just released its US cities that it plans to attack. On it is a city we live next to. It says its targeting people from the military. THAT has me concerned. So basically, no one, anywhere is safe and at this time, our family is going to take full advantage of cheap travel opportunities if they become available...and just buy travel insurance.

I would not cancel my cruise, but if you do cancel out of fear, like many others will do...it will just make the cruises cheaper for people like us who say to heck with it and jump at the last minute discounts.

 

[My2litteprincesses]

On trips/ vacations in general, when you have your CHILDREN in tow, you tend to be more cautious. I do not blame the original poster in the least for thinking twice about his vacation. I would absolutely think twice about sailing the med with my kids with all of the current events happening.
If it were just DH & myself going - then all aboard! No problem. But would I take my children to Turkey, etc right now... no, I would not.
Just my opinion though!

 

[C6PT7]

Ofinn, Just look back 35 years to 1980....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism_in_the_United_States#1980s

 

[Ofinn]

I will quote the wise Rick Steve who wrote:
After Friday’s horrifying events in Paris, as we keep the victims and their families in our prayers and marvel at how violent hatred can express itself, it’s natural for those of us with travels coming up to wonder what is the correct response. Let me share my thoughts:

I have two fundamental concerns: what is safe, and what is the appropriate response to terrorism.

About safety, I believe this is an isolated incident. Tomorrow Paris will be no more dangerous than it was the day before that terrible Friday the 13th. I also believe that security in Paris and throughout Europe will be heightened in response to this attack. Remember: There’s an important difference between fear and risk.

Additionally, ISIS just released its US cities that it plans to attack. On it is a city we live next to. It says its targeting people from the military. THAT has me concerned. So basically, no one, anywhere is safe and at this time, our family is going to take full advantage of cheap travel opportunities if they become available...and just buy travel insurance.

I would not cancel my cruise, but if you do cancel out of fear, like many others will do...it will just make the cruises cheaper for people like us who say to heck with it and jump at the last minute discounts.

Discounts would be great. I was expecting to see them anyway due to the high pricing.

 

[Ofinn]

Ofinn, Just look back 35 years to 1980....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism_in_the_United_States#1980s

Dont believe ever said anything in my post about US vs Europe. Keep trying. Not sure what your point is.

 

[C6PT7]

Dont believe ever said anything in my post about US vs Europe. Keep trying. Not sure what your point is.

I'm not trying, I'm proving my point that it is silly to say another continent has a history of terrorism, whilst living in one and ignoring that fact.
It serves no purpose but to scaremonger and spread more fear.

I'll ask you this. Which continent hasn't has terrorism or violent robbery recently and where is safe to cruise to?

 

[Ofinn]

I'm not trying, I'm proving my point that it is silly to say another continent has a history of terrorism, whilst living in one and ignoring that fact.
It serves no purpose but to scaremonger and spread more fear.

I'll ask you this. Which continent hasn't has terrorism or violent robbery recently and where is safe to cruise to?

Ok you win the prize. The prize for what I don't know, but I'm not going to engage in a silly online... not even sure what this is. Time to move on I got a Bahamian cruise in 3 weeks to plan, and then I have my Caribbean cruise in 3 months... and gasp then my European cruise next Fall.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I grew up in England, and moved to the US three years ago. Am returning home next year and the first thing I plan to do is go and visit Europe. I won't put my life on hold because of maybes. After the 7/7 attacks in London, I went shopping in London with my sister the following week and got entangled in being evactuated from Tube stations because of suspect packages. Everywhere has risks. Europe is probably a lot safer than the Caribbean.

Yes, to add I live and work in and around all of London, and was there 7/7 I continued to work there. We were so happy we got the Olympic games then the next day that occurred. It affected some of my colleagues. Europe is the same as the USA we are targets. We have to live on otherwise they win.

 

[Danni75]

I am French as well.
As you can imagine France and other European countries by association are the direct victims of these horrible attacks.

If visitors stop coming to Europe it is like a second bad consequence.

I will personally not stop visiting my family in Paris. I understand right now how you feel but if you can, wait a few weeks before taking any decision. After that it is you own decision and no one should blame you if you decide to change your plans .

For the others who showed so inconditional support to France and Europe, thank you, it is what we need right now!

 

[TiggerBouncy]

You're more likely to die in a car accident than you are from some nutcase bent on watching the world burn.

Quoted this because it's at the heart of it. The bottom line is that 150 died - which is absolutely horrible and tragic. However, your chances of being in that area are significantly smaller than your chances of being involved in a car accident within 5 miles of your house (where the majority of car accidents happen).

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thanks for your responses everyone.

I will quote the wise Rick Steve who wrote:
After Friday’s horrifying events in Paris, as we keep the victims and their families in our prayers and marvel at how violent hatred can express itself, it’s natural for those of us with travels coming up to wonder what is the correct response. Let me share my thoughts:

I have two fundamental concerns: what is safe, and what is the appropriate response to terrorism.

About safety, I believe this is an isolated incident. Tomorrow Paris will be no more dangerous than it was the day before that terrible Friday the 13th. I also believe that security in Paris and throughout Europe will be heightened in response to this attack. Remember: There’s an important difference between fear and risk.

Additionally, ISIS just released its US cities that it plans to attack. On it is a city we live next to. It says its targeting people from the military. THAT has me concerned. So basically, no one, anywhere is safe and at this time, our family is going to take full advantage of cheap travel opportunities if they become available...and just buy travel insurance.

I would not cancel my cruise, but if you do cancel out of fear, like many others will do...it will just make the cruises cheaper for people like us who say to heck with it and jump at the last minute discounts.

Yes, Rick Steves is wise regarding travel. Not sure he is entirely kept in the loop on CIA intel, however. Yes, of course security will be tightened. As I've mentioned a few times, I lived in NYC during 9/11 and stayed. I was on the curb watching as George W. Bush's motorcade made its way through NYC after his famous speech at the WTC rubble. Army vehicles drove by with armed military at the ready. Honestly, after what the city had already been through, it was terrifying. But I stayed for years and only moved out when my job and life circumstances changed. We still go into NYC almost weekly and wave to and thank the heavily armed guards that are stationed there. My DH is there as I write this. It's a necessary part of our life. Going to Turkey isn't.

Hey, if canceling makes the cruise cheaper for others - bonus for them!! I say good luck. It is DCL after all and we booked these cruises months ago. Prices are already thousands of dollars more than what we locked in.

On trips/ vacations in general, when you have your CHILDREN in tow, you tend to be more cautious. I do not blame the original poster in the least for thinking twice about his vacation. I would absolutely think twice about sailing the med with my kids with all of the current events happening.
If it were just DH & myself going - then all aboard! No problem. But would I take my children to Turkey, etc right now... no, I would not.
Just my opinion though!

This exactly.

 

[BelleWannabe4]

Obviously, deciding to go on the cruise or get off at any of the ports is a personal decision and you have to decide what is best for you and for your family, but I wanted to add my two cents. I spent a month traveling in Turkey in recent years and wanted to note that it is actually a very large country. Kusadasi is a good ways away from the Syrian border and is a major tourist destination due to its proximity to Ephesus. Ephesus is an amazing historical site and we had an incredible time touring it - it was one of the highlights of our trip. As other posters have noted, nowhere in the world today is completely safe and there are no guarantees, but, at the same time, I wouldn't write off getting off the boat in Turkey or completely skipping the cruise yet. Hopefully the situation improves drastically by next year.

 

[Donna3271]

I lived through 9/11 and watched the towers burn. My father's business was in the meatpacking district, and my brother's and mine was on the NJ side of the George Washington Bridge. It was the most horrifying day of my life. One cannot describe the feeling of being there. SHEER HORROR, especially when the second plane hit. We were covered with white soot.

I WOULD NEVER ALLOW anyone to alter my life and make me afraid. Then THEY WIN...

Life goes on, and I intend to live every moment to the fullest.

The States persevered after 9/11. Europe persevered after Hitler. The Brits fought the SS FOR YEARS (I'll say it - VIRTUALLY ALONE) before the US even entered the war. My point... Be tenacious, and LIVE YOUR LIFE!!!

 

[ctnurse]

I WOULD NEVER ALLOW anyone to alter my life and make me afraid. Then THEY WIN...

Life goes on, and I intend to live every moment to the fullest.

My point... Be tenacious, and LIVE YOUR LIFE!!!

^^^^^^^
This 1000 times.

 

[ldo]

keeping our cruise and plans to go to Paris for 1 week after.