German cruise giant cancels Turkey routes over ‘security concerns’

Ali Varlı - BERLIN

Germany’s AIDA Cruises has adjusted its 2016 deployment in Europe, opting to pull the AIDAstella from the Eastern Mediterranean due to “ongoing security concerns” in Turkey.

The 2013-built AIDAstella will now be re-deployed to the Western Mediterranean, taking over the routes of the AIDAaura and sailing from Palma de Mallorca in Spain, according to a written statement issued by the company on Jan. 29. 

It said the move came as a result of the large number of inquiries from guests concerned following the Jan. 12 bomb attack in Istanbul that killed 11 German tourists. 

The AIDAstella was originally scheduled on a week-long cruise program for the summer, reaching the Mediterranean resort of Antalya with calls in Limassol, Haifa, Santorini and Marmaris.

The AIDAaura will re-deploy to Northern Europe, sailing from a German homeport with an itinerary program to be announced shortly.

Crystal Cruises had also announced on Jan. 15 that it was canceling stops in Turkey for two upcoming voyages.

The company stated that it was canceling visits to Istanbul and the Aegean district of Kuşadası, which had been planned stops for one of its ships, Crystal Symphony. It said it was rerouting the ship “in response to ongoing security concerns.”