Please continue to check this page as we post updates concerning current events in the countries we plan on visiting.

March 11, 2011

Celebrity Cruise Lines has informed us that, due to concern over the continuing political unrest in Egypt, they have cancelled all stops in Alexandria for the balance of 2011. In place of Alexandria, they are adding two additional nights in Israel. These additional two days in Israel open many new and exciting options for our group, including Caesarea and Acre, Masada and the Dead Sea, a journey to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra in Jordan among other choices. We are currently working on these additional group excursions, including a substitution for our planned day trip to Cairo, and plan to have this update information to you within the next week.  

The change of itinerary has no impact on our tour to Jerusalem or our Sea of Galilee tour. We believe the additional time in Israel will be exciting and positive, both adding to our studies and to our personal Christian growth and faith.

This will be the new itinerary:
 
Sept 3       Depart Civitavecchia (Rome)
Sept 4–5    At sea
Sept 6       Haifa arrive 1 pm
Sept 7       Depart 10 pm
Sept 8       Arrive Ashdod AM
Sept 9       Depart Ashdod 10 pm
Sept 10     At sea
Sept 11     Ephesus
Sept 12     Mykonos, Greece
Sept 13     At sea
Sept 14     Naples
Sept 15     Arrive Civitavecchia (Rome)
 
Thank you for your understanding.

Bob Cook
GO TRAVEL

January 30, 2011

As standard procedure, all cruise lines and tour operators have contingency plans to deal with a wide variety of situations. Cruise lines such as Celebrity would never visit a port if there is the slightest possibility that the guests and crew would be placed in a situation that could be dangerous. The cruise lines can react and change itineraries at any time.

In the unlikely event of a port substitution, GO TRAVEL is making alternative contingency arrangements. I have contacted our GO TRAVEL ground operators in each of the four alternative ports that Celebrity has an option to use, asking each to have tentative plans set to make sure that our group has a unique Cradle of Christianity experience in that port of call in the event our ship calls there. Right now, and this is subject to change, those alternative ports of call could be either Rhodes, Istanbul, Malta or Athens.

As a personal note, I have just recently returned from Egypt and was accorded a wonderful and warm reception by everyone with whom I had contact. I ask that you join me in prayer that this situation will be resolved very soon, and with that resolution we will be able to experience the wonders and monuments of Egypt and the gracious hospitality of the Egyptian people in September.

Bob Cook
GO TRAVEL