Close call ... the Rhapsody of the Seas cruiseliner.
EXCLUSIVE
Passengers, including Australians, who took a cruise earlier this year through Mediterranean trouble spots on Royal Caribbean’s “Rhapsody of the Seas”, were not told that rocket fire had come dangerously close to their ship.
“Rhapsody of the Seas” sailed from Dubai on May 17, entered the Suez Canal and then visited the Israeli port of Ashdod, on May 26, about 40km north of the strife-torn Gaza Strip.
As cruise ships continue to take passengers into contested Middle Eastern waters, Royal Caribbean confirmed the incident to News Corp Australia but claimed the ship, which carries 2000 passengers and 765 crew, was never in danger.
“In May 2015, ‘Rhapsody of the Seas’ was alongside in the port of Ashdod, Israel at the same time there was a sporadic rocket attack from Gaza,” the company said in a statement.
“In an abundance of caution, ‘Rhapsody of the Seas’ recalled all guests and proceeded to Haifa, which was their next port of call. At no time was the ship in the close vicinity of rocket fire.”
It appears passengers were unaware why they were recalled to the ship, given testimonials from Australians such as “Cheryl W”, from Perth, posted on the company’s website: “The cruise was wonderful and I have recommended it, and you, to all my friends!”
Royal Caribbean and others continue to visit Ashdod, even though the Department of Foreign Affairs has issued strong warnings “that Australians reconsider their need to travel to areas of Israel within five kilometres of the border with the Gaza Strip due to the threat of rocket attack.
“This includes the cities of Sderot, Ashkelon, Ashdod and Be’er Sheva.”
Miami-based personal injury lawyer Jim Walker, who blogs on the industry, said cruise companies were ignoring the high risk of terrorism, hijacking and war in the Mediterranean.
“I don’t think they should be there,” Mr Walker said. “They’re still selling these cruises and sailing into harm’s way. They’re in it for the business. On the websites you don’t see Royal Caribbean issuing any warnings about the places they’re going.
“No one is telling the passengers. They’re not warning them on their promotional literature. At best, they’re issuing warnings on the ship or putting a flyer under your door as you pull into port.
“They don’t err on the side of caution.”
Mr Walker said it was “ludicrous” that some cruise liners continued to schedule visits to Tunisia after 22 cruise passengers were slaughtered as they were being collected on cruise buses after visiting the Bardo Museum, in Tunis, in March.
“What happened in Tunis is a farce,” he said. “The cruise company claimed they had no idea. It’s ludicrous. The army has been fighting ISIS and al Qaeda over there.”
Luxury ride ... the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Rhapsody Of The Seas.Source:News Limited
Royal Caribbean told News Corp that the safety and security of “guests and crew is our highest priority. Our global security team closely monitors all of our ships around the world and if it is deemed necessary, takes appropriate action to amend itineraries.”
This is despite the fact that a German cruise ship AIDAdiva was hit by rocket fragments as it left Ashdod in July, last year. The company said in a statement at the time that the ship was not targeted.
Mr Walker said he’d received an email from a passenger who sailed to Ashdod on Royal Caribbean’s “Explorer of the Seas” a little over a week ago.
“She said they were heading towards Ashdod, when the port of call was cancelled. She said the captain mentioned terrorism and that tourists had been murdered that day on shore.”
Mr Walker said the Celebrity cruise company had recently cancelled a stop in Istanbul because of terror concerns. He said some liners arriving in Istanbul “let passengers out at night time and go in without great fanfare”.
He described cruise liners as “soft targets” for pirates, terrorists and common criminals.
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