30 April 2009

Pirate threat forces change to world cruise

The threat of pirates attacking cruise ships has led to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines re-routeing a world cruise next year away from the Somali coast.

The 106-night cruise on Balmoral from Dover on January 5, 2010 is being diverted to avoid sailing through the Gulf of Aden.

The ship was due to visit ports in the Indian Ocean en route to Dubai, Oman and Egypt before transiting the Suez Canal and returning to the UK via the Mediterranean.

The revised itinerary will instead cross the Indian Ocean from Fremantle in Australia and return to the UK via South Africa and the west coast of Africa.

The decision to re-route Balmoral has been made in light of the continuing security problems that are being encountered in the region, the company said.

Planning director Matt Grimes said: "We are very aware of our responsibility regarding the safety and well-being of passengers and staff on board our ships, so we have taken this step in light of the continuing piracy attacks that are being faced not only in the area around the Gulf, but ever further out from Somalia.

"Although our passengers will no longer visit places such as Dubai and Salalah, their cruise experience will include the breath-taking beauty of Mauritius and South Africa.

"The cruise will remain unchanged at 106 nights, and Balmoral will return to Dover as scheduled on April 21.

The move follows the MSC Melody being attacked by pirates off the coast of the Seychelles (see previous TravelMole story).