Anti-American demonstrations have erupted in several countries in the Middle East and North Africa in response to an anti-Muslim movie that was produced in the United States. Since tensions are high some cruise lines have elected not to stop at ports that are near violence. Cruise lines are keeping close tabs on the situation and determining if itineraries need to be changed. Two lines have elected to make changes.

Royal Caribbean International canceled Mariner of the Seas’ port call to Alexandria, Egypt scheduled for September 18 and will instead stop in Messina, Sicily and Valletta, Malta on Monday September 19. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson stated that the decision to change course was “in an abundance of caution” and stated the company will notify guests and travel agents of the changes. Additionally, Holland America Line’s Ryndam skipped its scheduled Tunis, Tunisia port of call on Friday and elected to visit Sardinia, Italy instead.

Stay tuned for more updates from © www.expertcruiser.com - Your online consumer guide for cruise travel and information.

Lucca is a magnificent medieval city, surrounded by completely intact Renaissance walls. The best way to take in the sites, sounds and smells of the city is to take a walk or bicycle round the top of the walls. It is also the perfect setting for a medieval reenactment.

Disney Cruise Line in conjunction with their tour operator and Lucca officials have created a shore excursion that will not be offered anywhere else — a medieval parade complete with drummers, troubadours, dancers, flag throwers, and a cross bow contest. This is a shore excursion that’s sure to please kids of all ages. Watch for yourselves:

A picture is worth a thousand words and when it comes to Florence, Italy there are never enough adjectives to describe its unique beauty. Enjoy some photos of my city tour today. Tomorrow read all about Disney Cruise Line’s unique shore excursion at the Palazzo Vecchio that has kids meeting a Duchess and painting frescoes.

When Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic calls on Tunis, the capital of Tunisia next year guests will be in for an amazing visual treat. Tunisia is on the northeastern tip of Africa and juts into the Mediterranean Sea, its southern tip wedged between Algeria on the west and Libya on the east. The country is largely Arab and Muslim.

Tunis was regarded as one of the greatest and the most affluent cities in the Islamic world. The city boasts some 700 monuments, including palaces, mosques, mausoleums, madrasas and fountains, which showcase the splendor of the past.

I am touring the city with Disney Cruise Line managers as they ‘test out’ the tours they will offer their guests when the line returns to Europe next summer. Tunis is a new port of call for the line and the company is going all out to ensure guests are able to explore the best of the city. The focus, of course, is on the family experience.

“The challenge for Disney is to keep the children engaged in the cultural significance of the area. We’re looking for the sweet spot,” says Jason Lasecki, director of public relations for the line.

Find out what that “sweet spot” is on tomorrow’s blog. In the meantime, here are some postcards of this amazing city.

In a few hours I’ll be taking off to Europe to test out shore excursions with Disney Cruise Line management. The Disney Magic returns to Europe next summer and is sailing the Mediterranean and and for the first time the Baltic region. Over the next eight days I’ll be visiting Tunis, Tunisia, Florence, Italy, and St. Petersburg, Russia. Disney has some amazing tours planned for guests next summer and I’ll be blogging about the experiences on the fly (literally).

What does Disney have in store? A lot! A princess ball in a real Russian palace, a treasure hunt in a Tunisian Souk, and for adults cooking school in Tuscany — these are just a few of the offerings. Stay tuned!

After the Disney trip I am staying in Italy for Costa Cruises dual inaugural of the Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica – it’s going to be a jammed packed two weeks. Post your thoughts or questions in the blog, I’ll do my best to answer your questions.

Best,
Anita