Crystal Cruises cancels stops in Turkey over security issues

CALIFORNIA - The Associated Press

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Crystal Cruises announced on Jan. 15 that it was canceling stops in Turkey for two upcoming voyages. The company said in a statement that it was canceling visits to Istanbul and the Aegean district of Kuşadası, which had been planned stops for one of its ships, Crystal Symphony.

The cruise line said it was rerouting the ship “in response to ongoing security concerns.”

A suicide bombing in Istanbul killed 10 tourists on Jan. 12.

The itineraries for Crystal voyages that set sail April 24 and May 1 will include destinations in Greece instead of Turkey.

Turkish ports of call scheduled for April and November aboard Crystal’s new luxury yacht, Crystal Esprit, will also be changed, the cruise line said.

In September, another cruise line, Celebrity Cruises, announced that it would replace all overnights to Istanbul in 2016 with additional ports of call.

Royal Caribbean International says it is “closely monitoring” the situation in Turkey but has not modified any upcoming sailings to Istanbul.

Holland America Line does not have ships in Turkey at this time, but the Prisendam ship is scheduled to stop in Turkey April 1. 

A spokesman said that a decision about whether itineraries would need to be adjusted would be made closer to the date.