Norwegian Cruise Line has cancelled all stops to Israel in 2024 as the war with militant group Hamas continues to escalate.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which also includes Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises as well as NCL, said it would cancel its stops in Israel this year and into 2024.
The cancellation of Israel as a destination for 2024 follows most major cruise lines initially cancelling ports of call in Israel, including Ashdod and Haifa, following the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. Israel represented 7 per cent of Norwegian Cruise Line’s capacity in the fourth quarter and 4 per cent of its capacity for all of 2024 in the Middle East region.
NCLH CEO Harry Sommer said the call was made because, unlike other industries, cruise lines were able to reposition their assets relatively quickly.
“The safety and well-being of our guests and crew members are without a doubt our number one priority,” he said.
With the conflict showing no signs of resolution, other cruise lines have also begun making sweeping changes to their current and forthcoming cruise itineraries throughout the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf.
The surprise dawn attack has led to a declaration of war by Israel and has escalated throughout Israel and the Gaza Strip with impacts also felt in neighbouring countries.
NCL was also affected by other global events, including the wildfires in Maui. Pride of America, which offers year-round inter-island Hawaii itineraries, modified certain itineraries in August to avoid stressing local resources in Maui. The company has now resumed its scheduled weekly calls to Kahului, Maui.
