Politics - International cruise lines cancel Turkey calls after attempted military coup

Cruise lines cancel their Istanbul calls, after the unsuccessful coup d´etat of the Turkish military.
by Earl of Cruise

Is the sun setting over Turkey? Are dark ages comming? - Source: Turkish Tourist Office

It was a frightening view in the TV news when the Turkish Army made again a Coup d´Etat. Every once and then, if the Republic turns into a "no go" for the ideology of the generals, to clerical, to left, to liberal, etc. they made a coup in the name of Attatürck. The Army is based on the believes of the late founder of the modern Turkish Republic - Keamal Attatürk. The last name we know, means in Turkish: Father of the Turks.

The army failed in their attempt to overthrow President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It was a blood shed in the country. They claimed for the sake of democracy and secularity.

Soldiers on the Taksim-Place in Istanbul early Saturday morning

Following this military coup, cruise lines have begun canceling calls beyond Istanbul.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE, CELESTYAL CRUISES, CUNARD LINE, HOLLAND AMERICA LINE, PRINCESS CRUISES, ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES Ltd., UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISE COLLECTION, CELEBRITY CRUISES and SEABOURN CRUISES are among those that have altered itineraries due to the political turmoil and following airport closures. All these cruise lines have replaced scheduled calls at Kusadasi with nearby ports in Greece or sea days. Celebrity also canceled a visit to Bodrum and will visit Sicily in its place.

Foreigners, oppositionals, liberals, seculars, people of other believes, etc. had been attacked by AKP "believers" in the following days after the army coup.

But why did the Army revolt? Revolting against the elected President?

Erdogan, with a majority of his AKP behind, since years turns Turkey more and more into a non secular state. Since years he opressing liberal and democratic rights. And if someone is making jokes of him ... the pour guy/woman is in front of the court as of insulting the majesty ... His newly established civil war against the minority of the Kurds turned Eastern Turkey into a battlefield, just at the boarder to Syria, Irak and Iran.

To make things worst he secretly supportes ISIS in different ways. The journalist who uncovered this, has been sentenced to jail. And the newspaper which published - closed. He and the majority of the Turks deny the genocide of Armenians in 1915 and following years. Germany turned his back to when allies in WWI. Our parliament made a declaration and got the imidiate response of the new sultan. That is turning now, as a threat, to the beloved dear friend - the new Russian Zar, Putin.

First Erdogan´s army is shooting a Russian war plane, as Russia and Turkey have different goals in Syria, get´s his economic boycott answer, and now they try to be best again?

After successful defeating the military coup, Erdogan uprose his people in symple nationalistic propaganda, and has started a purge. And human rights are tossed away. State clerks are no longer allowed to leave the country, as passports have been declared invalid - 3,5 million people "jailed" in the country. Journalists, generals, even lower army ranks, lawyers, judges, teacher, etc. are put in prison. And more than 30,000 people have been jailed within days ... there must have been lists prepared prior to the coup d´etat.

Why is it that easy to rise nationalistic feelings in Turkey?

Turkey is a rather young country, since 1923, and consists of different nationalities. Those had been living together in Ottoman Empire, not as different tribes or nationalities but as Moslem - despite their different believes. And even Christians and Jews could easily live under the gouvernment of the Sublime Porte, also known as the Ottoman Porte or High Porte. Therefore the nationalism is stronger implementet in the minds, added with a certian feeling of inferiority. This frustration is further fueled as the economic policy of the new strong man is failing since two years.

Since 1963 the then Common Market union has denied Turkey the entry, as of lacking democratic standards. George W. Bush himself declared Turkey must be a part of the now European Union. And the negotiations on behalf the membership of Turkey had and have their ups and downs. And these negotiations, which are "open ended" if or not to become a member in the EU, the Brexit pros used for their lie, Turkey will be an EU member when Britain is leaving ... as well Syria and Irak.

The troubles we see today in Middle East are the results of the secret Sykes-Picot treaty of 1916. This is including Turkey of today with its nationalistic, anti Kurdish and Armenian politics.

Sources - Wikipedia - History - Encyclopaedia Britannica - Jewish Virtual Library - AL Jazeera - abc Australia

Sykes-Picot as well the Versaille Treaty are historic failiures of the international politics and community. And we today still have to deal with the results of.

Skyline of Istanbul, the "Horn" in the centre with the Hagia Sophia and the Topkapi Palace - source: Wikipedia

But back to the cruise lines abandoning Turkey.

Since "fealt" ages, cruise lines avoid the Black Sea - as of the Crimean occupation by Russia. So the step avoiding Istanbul and eventually all Turkish ports is a logical conclusion. Despite Istanbul is is great, vibrating and a perfect symbiosys of old and new. In some places quite a beauty, in some not. And views - breathtaking. You love Istanbul or you will hate, but Istanbul is touching you ... or had. Economically it is the capital of Turkey, as New York is for the USA. But since the "Taksim revolts" and the first terror attacs the city cools down. It is no longer that vibrating. The sultan is turning the screws of opression.

I have heard and read questions as: "why so?" A rather ignorant question, showing a grade of anawareness of problems. Do these people not think of their lives? Okay when it should happen, it happens. It is not fatalism. None of us can avoid his destiny. And it is not falling in the trapp of the terrorists.

Police on guard - Source: Stern

As of security concerns the cruise operators changed course of their vessels and stay away from a country in turmoil - Turkey. Otherwise it is "Eyes wide shut" going their on leisure holidays.

Since the terrorist attacks in Turkey, Istanbul especially, the U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of increased threats from terrorist groups throughout Turkey and to avoid travel to southeastern Turkey. It adds, "In light of the July 15 coup attempt and its aftermath, we suggest U.S. citizens reconsider travel to Turkey at this time." The Federal Aviation Administration also released a notice prohibiting U.S. airline carriers from flying to or from the Istanbul and Ankara airports.

Similarly, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to most of southeastern Turkey (all travel in some areas). It adds that travelers should be vigilant in resort cities, such as Marmaris and Bodrum.

The Australian Department of ForeignAffairs and Trade also cautions travel to Turkey, highlighting Istanbul and Ankara.

Same with EU statements and those of various countries within the EU, as Germany and France, e.g.

The majority of lines have pulled out of Istanbul for the year, which will have an impact on the economy throughout Turkey

The Leander Tower amid the Bosphorus, one of the best known landmarks in Istanbul - Source: Tourist Information Istanbul

Comments

HISTORY - The CUNARD - WHITE STAR Liner rms QUEEN ELIZABETH (1938-1972)

Over years, in my early youth, the QUEEN ELIZABETH was shaping my mind for the perfect ocean liner, despite having made my first experiences with a liner onboard the HANSEATIC (1), ex EMPRESS OF SCOTLAND, ex EMPRESS OF JAPAN. When leaning at the rail of HANSEATIC entering the port, my eyes where every where and I wished to by a camera, I took all in. And when seeing the QUEEN ELIZABETH with my own eyes, the nice behaving young boy turned into a tomboy, that my grandmére was no longer able to tame ... I did draw quite a lot of looks, back then. I found, while on research, this article and thought it interesting publishing in my blog: written and published by John Sheperd at liverpoolships.org editing and comments by Earl of Cruise I ( John Shepard ) joined the CUNARD LINE in March 1962 as an Assistant Purser and sailed the QUEEN ELIZABETH throughout that year, before transferring to the Liverpool-based CARINTHIA in November, where I remained as Crew Purser for the next five...

HISTORY - ts / ss BREMEN and ts / ss EUROPA

Germany’s two luxury liners, BREMEN and EUROPA , have not only played an important part in their country’s mercantile revival, but have added also an immortal chapter to the history of transatlantic travel. Copy from Shipping Wonders of the World From part 6 , published 17 March 1936 editing by Earl of Cruise ss / ts BREMEN in her early years - Source: Shipping Wonders of the World/Bundespresse Archiv The PRIDE OF A NATION - the NORDDEUTSCHER LLOYD quadruple-screw turbine express liner BREMEN . The keel of this ship was laid in June 1927. Her launch took place in August, 1928. In less than a year later, the Bremen made her first voyage to America, when she crossed the Atlantic from Cherbourg to New York in four days seventeen hours forty-two minutes, thus setting up a new record and gaining the coveted “Blue Riband”. During the passage the Bremen attained an average speed of 27.83 knots. ss / ts BREMEN in her early years - Source: W ikipedia For the pop...

Ocean Liners in Movies or Films at Sea (updated Nov 2017)

For liners and the shipping companies movies and films had been a top marketing tool Movies or Films and liners at sea, had been intriguing me since I have read about in my youth in LUXUSLINER - BILDER EINER GROSSEN ZEIT by Lee Server ( THE GOLDEN AGE OF OCEAN LINERS ). But earlier, mot only since my first crossing, I was keen watching movies with liners in it, and disapointed, which was an understatement, when I realized the films have been made in a set ashore in some movie "factory". That was after my first crossing. by Earl of Cruise an essay in progress `Sabrina´, Humphrey Bogart in the office, while LIBERTÉ is sailing out of New York harbor - screenshot Ocean liners, especially those of the luxury category, had been the location of dramas, love stories, thrillers, suspense and catastrophies sinde film was born, or nearly. In this list, the most descriptions are taken from Wikipedia, as I guess no one can expect having seen all these films ... otherwise I w...

ss NORMANDIE 1935 - 1942 IX

s s / te NORMANDIE starting from cold Owners: COMPAGNIE GÉNÉRALE TRANSATLANTIQUE BUILDERS: PENH Ö ET, St. Nazaire, France by Stephen Carey © , editing by Earl of Cruise This document is almost exclusively about the engineering aspects of NORMANDIE , mainly on how to start her up from cold. If you are looking for photos of the passenger spaces, there is a plethora of them on the web, in Facebook groups - Admirers of the ss Normandie , ss Normandie photographic file , The French Ocean Liners / Les Paquebots Fran ç ais , ss Normandie , GREAT LINERS OF THE PAST & PRESENT , and others, Pinterest and in articles about NORMANDIE here in the blog, please see at the end of the article. Using "ss" for NORMANDIE is quite incorrect, as NORMANDIE was a Turbo Electric vessel and not a steamship, therefore NORMANDIE should be adressed as "te". by Earl of Cruise te / ss NORMANDIE berthed in Le Havre, Gare Maritime May 29th, 1935 - colouring courtesy ...

HISTORY - rms MAJESTIC - Hand in Hand with rms TITANIC

TITANIC and MAJESTIC (1890), both Royal Mail Ships, hand in hand? How so? The review of João Martins will show. by João Martins , editing by Earl of Cruise And WHITE STAR LINE was more than only a shipping line which employed rms TITANIC. WHITE STAR was company with a great heritage and introduced many innovations which became standards. Founded by Thomas Henry Ismay , originally from Maryport, and shareholders amoung whom had been HARLAND&WOLFF . Later the Irish shipbuilder, located in Belfast, built all ships for WHITE STAR. rms MAJESTIC as built by HARLAND&WOLFF - Sour ce: Wikipedia ( original seize ) T he rms MAJESTIC was a 9,965 GRT British ocean liner built by HARLAND & WOLFF for WHITE STAR LINE and completed in 1890. Her career was profoundly intertwined with rms TITANIC. In the late 1880s competition for the Blue Riband, the award for the fastest Atlantic crossing, was fierce amongst the major shipping lines. At the time the prize belonged to CUNA RD...

HISTORY - RHEINGOLD the German luxury day express train

Between May 1928 and August 1939 the luxury day express train RHEINGOLD operated between Hoek van Holland and Basel as a FFD Pullman train of DEUTSCHE REICHSBAHN GESELLSCHAFT (DRG) and MITROPA. The name was mystic and elitarian. by Earl of Cruise RHEINGOLD, the name of the most luxurious train ever of Germany - detail, own photo On May 15th, 1928 the luxury express train RHEINGOLD started for the first time, connecting Hoek von Holland, Netherlands, and Amsterdamn with Basel, Suisse. Name giving was the legendary treasure of the Nibelungen. This special service for most international travelers was an immidiate success. Advertisment for the RHEINGOLD created by Frank Newbould - collection Earl of Cruise For the most travelers in the RHEINGOLD meant the voyage in the luxury train more than being transported in high comfort. From their soft armchairs they could watch the pitoresque Rhine landscape, with wine villages, vine-growing slopes, forteresses and castles, and th...

Thank You 500,000 readers

Deluxe - KUNGSHOLM V (2020+) of SWEDISH AMERICAN LINE

There is the idea of a new KUNGSHOLM, initiated by SWEDISH AMERICAN LINE . The bygone KUNGSHOLM IV was a design icon, really hard missed by shiplovers and those who are design afficionados. And those who just love to see the ship, with its beautiful lines in harmony designed by Claes Feder, the KUNGSHOLM IV . by Earl of Cruise When loosing the HAMBURG to the breakers I did start developing a new HAMBURG, but what it would be today. The very same was done by Johnny Sid - he started developing a new KUNGSHOLM and revived the SVENSKA AMERKA LINIEN as SWEDISH AMERICAN LINE. Theo Anderson created for SWEDISH AMERICAN LINE a design what a new, a KUNGSHOLM V , could be. Potential new KUNGSHOLM V , rendering by Theo Anderson - courtsey Theo Anderson / SWEDISH AMERICAN LINE Potential new KUNGSHOLM V , rendering by Theo Anderson - courtsey Theo Anderson / SWEDISH AMERICAN LINE Potential new KUNGSHOLM V , rendering by Theo Anderson - courtsey Theo Anderson / SWEDISH AMERI...

HISTORY - AUSTRO AMERICANA the Austro-Hungary shipping line into the new world

Not many know about the Austro-Hungary shipping line, AUSTRO AMERICANA , which sailed out of Trieste to the Americas. Austro-Hungary and shipping? You may ask ... you may have heard about Vienna Walz, coffe house culture, Hotel Sacher and its famous chocolate cake, the Prater, chateau Schönbrunn, the Fiakers - the famous horse carriages and such things. But passenger shipping lines? There has been AUSTRO AMERICANA and ÖSTERREICHISCHER LLOYD , renamed in LLOYD TRIESTINO after 1918 and after purchased by EVERGREEN renamed in Italia Marittima. The actual company ÖSTERREICHISCHER LLOYD is a new formed management company situated in Austria. by Earl of Cruise KAISER FRANZ JOSEH I. the biggest liner of AUSTRO AMERICANA - own collextion Parts of my family lived for a long time in the Austro-Hungary empire, which can be qualified as a "United Nations of the Balkan". Having traces into Austria-Hungay, the realm of Hungary in special, it is a pleasure for me making thes...

HISTORY - Italian TITANIC - The sinking of ss PRINCIPESSA MAFALDA

Despite rms TITANIC , ss PRINCIPESSA MAFALDA somehow has disappeared into the mists of time. Except for a small group of followers. This is mostly a reflection of the fact, that it was an Italian ship, carrying a complement that was almost exclusively Latino. The disaster of the MORRO CASTLE was a less significant event, and yet the amount of information and coverage, even today, is exponentially greater. Earl of Cruise by João Martins , editing by Earl of Cruise The Italian "rms TITANIC", ss PRINCIPESSA MAFALDA - Source: Wikipedia D espite the sinking of the ss ANDREADORIA 30 years later being much better known, the greatest tragedy in Italian shipping and largest ever in the Southern Hemisphere in peacetime was the sinking of the ss PRINCIPESSA MAFALDA in 1927. Builder Cantiere Riva Trigoso, Riva Trigoso No. 42 Launching 22. Oktober 1908 Commissioning 30. März 1909 25. Oktober 1927 su...

Search This Blog

Thank You 500,000 readers