Deadly Protests in Bahrain Spark Cruise Cancellations

Clashes between protesters and government forces in Bahrain, Costa Cruises has announced it will avoid the small Gulf kingdom until relevant authorities declare that stability has been restored.

According to a statement from the Italy-based line, the itineraries for Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa, which are currently sailing Middle East cruises out of Dubai, will be modified.

This weekend's calls to Bahrain City will be replaced by an extra day in Dubai. Next week's calls have also been cancelled and an overnight at Muscat, Oman, or Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., might be added. The line has yet to finalize next week's itineraries.

"Costa Cruises will resume calling at Bahrain only when the relevant international authorities and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have declared stability and safety have been restored to the region," the line said in a statement.

Source: Cruise Critic

Off Radar Comment

This is a wise decision by Costa and completely understandable. One only wonders what will happen if the protests expand further in the area, and how it may impact on this emerging region.