I don't know if you all have heard about it, but there were bombings in both Istanbul and Ankara. This topic resurfaces each time something like this happens. I wonder what, if anything, Radisson will decide to do with their itineraries that include Turkish ports?

I know If I was on that cruise, and Radisson decided to still go, I would be there with bells on. Darned terrorists aren't going to make me stay in bed and pull the covers over my head.

Thanks for the update, Sheri.

I do hate belaboring this on again, off again subject, which has been the uppermost reason that we had put a question mark on going, after booking our cruise, in Oct. - Athens to Istanbul.

We have continued to move forward, but the question keeps rearing it's ugly head as to what Radisson will do.

I think there are so many volatile and potential hot spots on our planet ripe for terrorism. I do think this is a time and a world where you have to wonder - is any place safe?

I think you hit the nail on the head Denise..."is ANY place safe?" Unfortunately I believe that the answer is "no." Unless we are being irresponsible and travelling to Fallujah or someplace like that, I think we go on doing what we had planned.

I also believe that Radisson will not go someplace they deem too insafe. I trust their decisions!

We have to trust in Radisson's judgement on this. No doubt about it.

Believe me when I say we have gone back and forth on this trip. If for some reason it does not materialize, then there will be a very compelling reason as to why it was canceled.

In the interim, we continue ahead and hope for the best. The best meaning for humanity and world sanity, not that our cruise will remain a go.

I think everything going on in Turkey right now is related to the meeting that will take place starting next Monday with world leaders. I hope everything settles down after that. Lets hope so, we head to Istanbul on July 29th for the Black Sea cruise.

Carolyn

Carolyn,
My parents will be on that cruise with you!
Sheri

I had a chance to speak to the Security Officer on VJ7 regarding this very subject...safety! He was very reassuring to the research and planning that Radisson does to make sure that no one is in harm's way. Tom is still a bit nervous about Dubai, Suez Canal etc. on BAIL. I've adopted and am comfortable with the mindset that "If Radisson goes, we go".

I don't know...while i can appreciate the positive attitude, travel to parts of the globe where there is so much unrest seems like begging for trouble...to me anyway.

R

I cringed when I got the CNN notice this morning. Istanbul and Turkey were the main reasons we booked our October 12th trip.

Hopefully, this will be a fairly isolated incident and they won't have to think about cancelling anything.

I figure if it's my time, I'm going to go whether sitting in a chair in my living room or living it up on vacation. If the ship goes, we go. :)

Kathy

We had Istanbul cancelled from one of our trips -- although we had been in Kusadasi approximately a year earlier. When there was the bombing in Istanbul, Radisson changed the port to two different Greek islands. We were in the Med., but they would not dock in Turkey (at that time). When things were quieter, I believe I remember the Diamond did stop at Athens.
M.

Sorry, I meant Istanbul. I believe that they were different ports on the same trip. We've been in Athens; their security left me UNimpressed. You have to cross you fingers that there will be no problems during the Olympics.
M.

I agree with Robert. Why flirt with the terrorists. :ohmy:

Hey guys, I know we are not supposed to get into politics here, but after watching CNN last night (not being able to get FOX because I was in some motel). I have got to say if I was some babe in the woods I would be afarid to go to Billings MT.

One of the reasons we are on all on pins and needles is the media, but life goes on in the world. I'm going on my next cruise.

I guess I'm just a chicken or else I feel like I need to be somewhat responsible as I still have a teen-age son but I don't want to be anywhere there is a strong chance of terrorist activity. While I'd love to do the Med it's not going to be in the near future for me. I am now looking towards more close to home trips like Maine, Colorado & Montana (envy you in Steamboat Chip!!!)
I'm with Suzie & Robert on this one - I'm young maybe when things calm down around the world I'll look beyond the good ole USA for travel.

Kathy

I must be nuts. Today, I booked DABS without even thinking first that we start in Istanbul, and end in Athens, the Olympics city. And I even watched TV this morning and heard all the news about the goings on in Turkey. But I am flying in, getting on the ship, and getting off and flying out, because I don't have the time to do more. Looking forward to seeing Ngaire and Ken again, and finally sailing with Suzanne!

Congratulations Olivia!! I'm glad you did this...I think it was a good move. I just hope the BAIL segment New Zealand to Sydney works out so we can cruise together again! Enjoy!!

Good for you, Olivia. Only I wish you were all joining us on DOF.

We're doing 1 night pre in Istanbul and 1 night post in Athens on DABS

Peter,

Where are you staying in Istanbul and Athens?

Four Seasons in Istanbul and some place called St George something in Athens.

Thanks, Peter.

For what it's worth ...
My attitude about BAIL is that everything from India on is all tentative. I DO trust RSSC to make prudent (but not parochial) decisions. And it won't break my heart completely if we end up in Cape Town rather than Luxor. I'll be disappointed, but I'll get over it.

True, NO where is safe right now. But of course some places are more dangerous than others. I would love to visit the Middle East extensively, but even I can figure out that this probably isn't the time :(

One thing I have learned in travelling is that the media picture of 'danger' is usually grossly exagerated. As long as we're doing nothing stupidly foolhardy and we're with a major company we trust, We'll Keep On Travelling!!

Betty

That's St. George Lycabettus, by the way, in Athens. By all reports a very nice hotel.

Well, I was in Istanbul when these latest bombings occurred. We flew back Sunday morning, just before Bush arrived for the NATO Summit.

Istanbul was nailed down pretty tight, roads closed, the Bosporus almost closed. We were out sightseeing when the first bomb hit, killing 4 people. Security was very high already, but got worse. We wondered why traffic was at a stand-still and there were police everywhere.

But the incident was very isolated, nothing for tourists to really worry about (any more than IRA bombings in London were in the 70s and 80s).

And, I promised all my new, wonderful, Turkish friends that I would say, "come to Instanbul, it's a great place". And it is. They are suffering over there--every time some (minor) incident like this happens, tourism drops, and they despair.

I have heard that tourism did not drop in Spain after the (major) incident there. I think it's because Turkey is further east, close to Iraq, and muslim, that the skittishness is much worse.

Glad you felt comfortable,Wendy, even with the recent bombing, in Istanbul. I concur. As I said in the Port section, we were totally at ease during our week in Istanbul in mid May. Many of these 'problems' are very contained, and much more isolated than the American media reports.

Hey, Bonnie, yes, I agree, Istanbul was totally non-threatening. Chaotic and bustling, but not scary.

The Turks were so nice. They also treat women with a palpable deference.

My friend who was there the week before us said she felt overwhelmed in the Grand Bazaar. I did not feel that way at all, I loved it. I'm thinking that her problem was the overwhelming shopping choices!