Impending military action in Syria has
forced Holland America Line to cancel all visits
to Israeli ports until further notice.
Responding to threats of a strike from the
USA, Syrian officials said they may retaliate by
firing rockets into Israel, a Western ally.
Citing safety concerns for passengers &
crew, the announcement has affected a sailing
currently underway aboard the MS Noordam,
which is en route from Istanbul to Athens.
Substituting scheduled ports-of-call in Haifa
& Ashdod, the vessel will now dock at Bodrum
and Antalya in Turkey and Nafplion in Greece.
Shore excursions previously booked for Israel
would be refunded, with passengers also given
a 15% discount on a future HAL voyage.
