Costa rules out return to Egypt or Tunisia

Costa Cruises has ruled out plans to return to Egypt and Tunisia in 2012, citing “a persistent negative perception” of the destinations. 

Travel Weekly reported that the cruise line will continue to avoid port calls to the destinations next year in order to  “maintain the tranquility and serenity that must characterise the holiday.”

Costa cancelled port calls in both countries in February this year due to political uprisings, and one month later said it would not visit either country for the rest of 2011.

The Costa Voyager will however continue to offer year-round seven-day cruises in the Red Sea, visiting three Egyptian ports: Sharm el Sheik, Safaga and Sokhna.

“The Red Sea is seen as a destination in itself, different from Egypt, and still has a positive perception,” said Costa.

Meanwhile, other cruise lines have chosen to return to destinations hit by political turbulence. Last month MSC Cruises started calling at the Tunis port of La Goulette again after ditching the destination back in March.

MSC chief executive Pierfrancesco Vago said Tunisia was "back to normal".