Cruise Lines Cross Off Egyptian Ports

The terrorist attack near Luxor, Egypt, in November that killed 58 tourists promises to reverberate into the next cruise season, with three lines deleting Egyptian ports from their itineraries. Passengers are advised to check with their travel agents for route changes.

Cunard, the latest line to act, is replacing calls at Sharm el Sheik, Port Suez and Alexandria with stops in Turkey, Cyprus and the Greek islands on spring and fall sailings of the Royal Viking Sun, Sea Goddess II and Vistafjord. Earlier, Royal Olympic Cruises revised Mediterranean tours of its Stella Solaris and Stella Oceanis, and First European Cruises--which markets mostly to Europeans--rescheduled the Flamenco and the Azur.

The U.S. State Department last month rescinded its caution against travel in Egypt, but it was still advising Americans to seek guidance before visiting some Nile Valley areas. Officials in Luxor said last week that only seven of the city’s 250 Nile cruise ships are operating, and that tourism is still two-thirds below normal.