Afghanistan Attack will start today or tomorrow. O.K.: there will be some more
Terrorist Actions. But i do not believe, Terrorists will attack an Cruise ship. So, this is an safe place.

quote:

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Afghanistan Attack will start today or tomorrow. O.K.: there will
be some more
Terrorist Actions.

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quote:

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But i do not believe, Terrorists will attack an Cruise ship. So, this is an safe place.

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By the way, I had a paid-up booking with Carnival at full fare. TA called and got my rate reduced to market-price, largely because I am a repeater.

I don't think anybody can say whether or not a cruise ship will be a likely target. I believe that it's unlikely that "my" ship will be targeted.

It's a decision people need to think through and make for themselves.

I must admit that I find it puzzling why American's are suddenly reluctant to travel abroad? If I was an American, after the tragedy in NY, I would probably feel safer in Venice or Rome etc. than I would in my own country?

Maybe it has increased a fear of flying and the fear of possible hijack? Are American internal flights suffering big passenger losses too, or is it just long haul flights?
Maybe American's do not feel protected by their militart abroad?

From where I sit in the wholesale end of the travel biz here in the US, folks are feeling very VULNERABLE. While citizens of other countries around the world are accustomed to various attacks (foreign terrorists or otherwise) this is the first time since the war of 1812 that the Continental United States has been attacked.

I will admit that many folks are carrying on their lives as usual,but the majority are sticking close to home. Of the US pax I have met over the past couple of weeks, many I would categorize as edgy. They completed their travel plans, but not with the same joie de vivre they normally would.

I've also encountered many of our pax from the UK and Germany. While citizens of EU member countries could cancel up until 9/30, the same did not hold true in the UK. UK pax said they completed their travel plans because they did not want to forfeit the fares paid and they felt they had no other choice. Our pax booked through German tour operators cancelled at a very quick pace.

We also need to add the fact that we've had considerable changes in our airline schedules. First, Metrojet which is the no-frills arm of US Air will be closing down. For those of us in the North east section of the US, this greatly diminishes the availability of non-stop flights south towards the cruise ports. Further cutbacks by Delta and American and the demise of Midway have further hurt us. As an example, last fall when I selected my flights to Ft. Lauderdale, Delta Express was running 10 non-stops daily from Boston Logan. Now it is down to three.

Swissair has just gone under and taken Sabena with them. BA will be eliminating, I believe the last count was 36, flights to/from the US/UK. There was talk in the office today of Richard Branson looking for help for Virgin Atlantic.

When you look at the big picture and see the domino effect, it is not pretty.

As far as travel to places far and wide, our State Department has issued travel advisories indicating that American tourists abroad should take caution and keep in mind they could be the target of anti-American actions. Since one would find American visitors at various tourist sites, this does not create warm fuzzy feelings when it comes to traveling abroad.

I think we will start to see a change - either for the better...or for the worse, when military action starts to take place.

As far as our company is concerned, there will be no profit sharing this year.

As a side note, of the major cruiselines, RCL/Celebrity is in the most dire straights right now if you look at their debt load. Carnival is in the best shape with significant cash reserves and just about mortgage free ships. Princess is in a weaker state, but not nearly as bad as RCL/Celebrity.

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Originally posted by colt:
You should be able to Edit you post Colt, but not completely delete it. Try posting again

[ 10-03-2001: Message edited by: Malcolm ]

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"I must admit that I find it puzzling why American's are suddenly reluctant to travel abroad? If I was an American, after the
tragedy in NY, I would probably feel safer in Venice or Rome etc. than I would in my own country?"

Don't forget that not all of the World's hates American's!

While I try to go on with my normal life -- work, live and go on cruises -- it is difficult. A large part of terrorism is that you don't know what will happen next.

The American economy is not in good shape now. Many people, who have worked hard all their lives, are seeing their savings shrink. I do belive that this will rebound in the future. Some people are only buying essential items.

Until the situation is clearer, many Americans will be reluctant to travel.

The media can cause a great deal of extra suffering with their 'scare' stories. Bioterrerroism and the conventional terrorism does not respect national boundaries. As I said earlier you cannot assume that you are safe at home, but not in Rome, Barcelona, or London - who can know?

While I try to go on with my normal life -- work, live and go on cruises -- it is difficult. A large part of terrorism is that you don't know what will happen next.

Very true, but in a sense it is not worth worrying about things which cannot be predicted. You cannot avoid the unknown!

Unfortunately we cannot make terrorism go away by arresting the 'ring leaders', or with military action, or by freezing back accounts.

The tiny children of todays so called 'freedom fighters' may grow up to become terrorists themselves? Terrorists can lay dormant for decades - then strike again.

Unfortunately, American's will learn to live with this, like the rest of the world that has experienced regular terrorism. I can assure you that After six months of living in 'fear', the American people will want a vacation!

In my case, we are going ahead in November. I am going to defer booking our 2002 cruise until I understand how the cruise industry is doing.

I take your point entirely. However, if everyone puts off cruising or booking for 2002, there will not be a cruise industry next year!

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Originally posted by Malcolm:
In fact most of the World loves your dollars.

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And how i love your sceptered isles; your steak and kidney pudding; your own wonderful city; your literature and humour, your witty advertising, and your people: including my wife and my in-laws (excepting my father-in-law, after about the third week of him staying with us)

In my opinion, unless one of your ports of call is 'Afghanistan', you are safe! Cruising and Flying is still far safer than driving on the roads or walking down the street. It is safer than ever with the increased security measures that are in place.

I've said it before.

Take the train to Miami!! Its comfortable, and involves minimal white knuckles!