Had two emails today on this subject so copying basically what I sent back in an email today.

Things flare up all over the world and then die down again. Whether it be riots and demonstrations, airline traffic controller strikes, transporation strikes always something.

Most of the time the problems are isolated in an area of the city not the entire city. Tourists just avoid that area and usually all is well. Also remember TV and media are looking for the most sensational pictures and headlines.

By October this will probably be history and some other city will have demonstrations.

In fact the best example was Barcelona at the outbreak of the Iraq war. CNN headlines and prime story was all about anti American sentiment and Americans should cancel plans to visit Barcelona. Demonstration and riots ALL over Barcelona specifically against Americans. We were sailing in the next day.

We decided to stay on board the news affected us too and we had been to Barcelona many times before. Everyone was freaked about this port stop asking why are we going there? The Regent tours went out and we were surprised that tours went. So we decided to go out on our own too. We did the full circuit of the "hop a bus" route that we had not done before and went ALL over Barcelona. Had a great day the only thing we saw was a teenager that was wearing an anti George Bush tee shirt. All the tours operated perfectly everyone was glad they went out.

Back on board that night turned on CNN - riots every where in Barcelona, they said entire city disrupted.

If you talk to Europeans they say they will NEVER come to the USA it is way too dangerous. Think about our headlines over the last years!

Regent will not go to a port they feel is dangerous and they change itineraries or cancel ports if they feel that this is the best thing to do. Then they make it right by the guests.