UPDATE
We can now confirm that AIDA have pulled out of Israel!
The AIDAdiva found itself to be an unwilling observer in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict this week, as the ship departed from the port of Ashdod in Israel. Local reports indicate that rockets were fired and pieces of shrapnel landed right on the deck of the ship.
No injuries or damage to the ship was reported and all 2,700 people on board were not affected in any way. However, the incident just goes to show that adventure in the Holy-land can also translate to danger.
A number of small particles were found on the passenger deck, which the AIDA indicated came from missiles, though it's unclear who fired them. Experts examined the shrapnel and repoted that no immediate danger was apparent.
The AIDAdiva continued untarnished to its next port in Crete, where the vessel arrived on Tuesday 8th of July as planned.
No doubt AIDA Cruises which is part of the Canival group (world's largest Cruise group with 51% global market share) monitors the security situation in Israel and other risk destinations on a constant basis.
Interestingly the US State Department does have a travel warning for the region, which can be viewed here US Travel Warning although the US Government tends to be more cautious than the European alternatives.
At this juncture there is no indication that this shrapnel incident will affect future AIDA Cruises itineraries. The AIDAdiva is set to call into Ashdod later in July and the Industry waits to see what will happen.
This news will come as a blow to all eastern Mediterranean Ports, as the Holy-land is a major attraction, hence if AIDA and others choose to cancel this particular itinerary, the horizon of Western Mediterranean cruising will look rather bleak, especially considering that the other major attraction being the Pyramids is also off the agenda!
