ScottD Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 Looks like they are using Rhaspsody to evacuate US citizens from Haifa today.... https://il.usembassy.gov/security-alert-10/ Neesa, TessFromFlorida, mamie and 6 others 3 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
instaGator Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 Here is a story from Crew Center: https://crew-center.com/royal-caribbean-ship-evacuates-us-citizens-israel Jmccaffrey, Neesa, ScottD and 1 other 1 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzzywuzzy Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 It may cost Royal some money but will pay off in goodwill. Bless you RCI. WAAAYTOOO, tjcruisers, Neesa and 4 others 5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 I can see where the crew would be a bit unnerved going back there during an official wartime stance. Though on the lighter side of things, I wonder if those evacuees get C&A points? WAAAYTOOO, ScottD, Fuzzywuzzy and 1 other 2 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 5 hours ago, smokeybandit said: I can see where the crew would be a bit unnerved going back there during an official wartime stance. Especially if the crew member is a Muslim docking in Israel... imagine having to get off the ship to assist with boarding! You would be bricking it ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 I wonder how these efforts come together. Are they contracted by the US gov't like the Civil Reserve Air Fleet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoyalGreek Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 Once again Royal Caribbean steps up to do the right thing with its various relief efforts. As a "Loyal to Royal" Diamond Plus and Stock Holder cruiser, I am very proud of this company. My wife and I were on Empress for the first relief sailing to the Bahamas following the hurricane there. It was truly something to see how the crew and company stepped up to help in a time of need. 4ensic, baltodave, Fuzzywuzzy and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 43 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: I wonder how these efforts come together. Are they contracted by the US gov't like the Civil Reserve Air Fleet? I believe there are avenues for government to ask for assistance because they see which assets are in the area. In some cases, I believe the offer is made by the cruise line in case it's needed, as was the case with the Surfside condo collapse in 2021. Jmccaffrey, Fuzzywuzzy, MarcBerger and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steverk Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 53 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: I wonder how these efforts come together. Are they contracted by the US gov't like the Civil Reserve Air Fleet? Interesting question. Since the ships aren't registered in the US, I don't think they can b pressed in to service. That leaves a request by the government, a voluntary offer by royal or a charter of the ship. Either way, kudos to Royal for doing the right thing at considerable risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steverk Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 Does anyone know if Rhapsody has a military escort for this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 1 minute ago, steverk said: Does anyone know if Rhapsody has a military escort for this? I doubt it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jmccaffrey Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 49 minutes ago, steverk said: Does anyone know if Rhapsody has a military escort for this? They may inside the water of Israel but once they are in international waters, i agree i would doubt it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobroo Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 3 hours ago, steverk said: Does anyone know if Rhapsody has a military escort for this? You can bet a million dollars that the Rhapsody evacuation was a major topic discussed by Biden and Netanyahu on their phone conversation last Saturday. Likely bluntly put: "We are getting our citizens out of Israel and NOTHING is going to happen to that boat, understand? Future US support is dependent on this." While there may or may not have been a visible military presence, you could bet another million dollars that there were many eyes in the sky watching over Rhapsody. The sinking of the Lusitania is not forgotten. 4 hours ago, Ray said: Especially if the crew member is a Muslim docking in Israel... imagine having to get off the ship to assist with boarding! You would be bricking it ... Many people might be surprised to find that a substantial portion of Royals crew is Muslim. Indonesia is some 87% Islamic as an example. 4 hours ago, smokeybandit said: I wonder how these efforts come together. Are they contracted by the US gov't like the Civil Reserve Air Fleet? I would certainly expect Royal to be sending the State Department a bill for today's private sailing! Do you think Jason Liberty used Enchantment sailings out of Baltimore as a basis for pricing or did he use Icon during Spring Break? I think it was a hefty bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 16, 2023 Report Share Posted October 16, 2023 4 minutes ago, bobroo said: you could bet another million dollars that there were many eyes in the sky watching over Rhapsody That much is definitely true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveler Posted October 17, 2023 Report Share Posted October 17, 2023 7 hours ago, Ray said: Especially if the crew member is a Muslim docking in Israel... imagine having to get off the ship to assist with boarding! You would be bricking it ... Considering that in Israel you have 20% Muslims citizens and (some of the serve in the army) I don't think there is any issues with the crew docking in Hifa. steverk, 4ensic and Matt 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveler Posted October 17, 2023 Report Share Posted October 17, 2023 6 hours ago, steverk said: Does anyone know if Rhapsody has a military escort for this? Haifa port is a secure area. During this conflict Hifa itself was nearly trageted or hit. Regarding after leaving the Israeli water, I will just say that there is an American aircraft carrier cruising near the Israeli shore, another one is already nearby. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted October 17, 2023 Report Share Posted October 17, 2023 4 hours ago, Traveler said: Considering that in Israel you have 20% Muslims citizens and (some of the serve in the army) I don't think there is any issues with the crew docking in Hifa. % means nothing as it only takes 1 idiot to cause mayhem! As was shown in the US this week when a 6 year old muslim child was stabbed 26 times and his mother also attacked! Or the idiot in London on a pro Palestine march wearing a jacket with a photo of Hamas Paraglider taped to the back of it! Or the numerous suicide bombers over the years! Or the serving British Army Sericeman charged and convicted of terrorism offences in 2021 ( this is the guy who escaped from prison last month ) 1 idiot is all it takes to cause mayhem and destruction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted October 17, 2023 Report Share Posted October 17, 2023 That one idiot can and generally does come in all religious variants. teddy, Matt and Shari 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 17, 2023 Report Share Posted October 17, 2023 It's not even a religious concern. You may have crew members that simply don't want to be near a declared war zone. teddy and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoomSlayer Posted October 24, 2023 Report Share Posted October 24, 2023 On 10/16/2023 at 2:43 PM, steverk said: Interesting question. Since the ships aren't registered in the US, I don't think they can b pressed in to service. That leaves a request by the government, a voluntary offer by royal or a charter of the ship. Either way, kudos to Royal for doing the right thing at considerable risk. The ships may not be registered in the US, but Royal Caribbean is a US based company. I am not suggesting this occurred, but the president could, in theory, invoke powers under the National Emergency Act and take possession of the ship (since it is owned by a US company) for this purpose had he needed to in order to evacuate US citizens. Given that Royal was forced to cancel Rhapsody itineraries suddenly anyway, I am sure they were more than happy to help and get at least a little compensation for their operating costs and get some free positive PR in the process. Kind of a Win-Win for everyone. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted October 24, 2023 Report Share Posted October 24, 2023 Royal Caribbean is not a US company. They are incorporated in Liberia. They operate in the US, but they are not a US company. bobroo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoomSlayer Posted October 24, 2023 Report Share Posted October 24, 2023 6 hours ago, Xaa said: Royal Caribbean is not a US company. They are incorporated in Liberia. They operate in the US, but they are not a US company. Royal Caribbean is very much a US company (for non-civil legal purposes), headquartered in the USA (Miami, FL) for the purpose of the National Emergencies Act I referenced. It's status as a foreign corporation does not offer any real protections against it and only serves as a means to avoid certain US civil laws, such as minimum wage laws, tax laws on revenues and income received abroad, and ownership reporting (which they forfeited by becoming listed on a US exchange). If you want to take legal action against Royal Caribbean, you do so in Florida at their headquarters in Florida, not in Liberia. Given that the company would pass a legal test for Significant Contact under US jurisdiction laws, they would be compelled to follow US laws and emergency declarations or risk forfeit and seizure. I wholeheartedly believe they helped the evacuation voluntarily and willingly and none of these legalities came to provision. Which is a great testament to them and shows they are willing to help when a crisis arises. They have a track record of helping during disasters and for that, I am very much appreciative of them and applaud them for their efforts! Xaa and Pattycruise 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaa Posted October 24, 2023 Report Share Posted October 24, 2023 I'll defer to your greater knowledge of National Emergencies Act. I certainly have no idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 24, 2023 Report Share Posted October 24, 2023 I'd bet on them getting reimbursed or otherwise paid by the US Gov't for that trip. I don't think insurance would want them going to a potential war zone out of the goodness of their hearts. Reports are that only a couple hundred were on the cruise. DoomSlayer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoomSlayer Posted October 24, 2023 Report Share Posted October 24, 2023 1 hour ago, smokeybandit said: I'd bet on them getting reimbursed or otherwise paid by the US Gov't for that trip. I don't think insurance would want them going to a potential war zone out of the goodness of their hearts. Reports are that only a couple hundred were on the cruise. They were already in the warzone I think as they were scheduled to be home ported in Haifa until November. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobroo Posted October 25, 2023 Report Share Posted October 25, 2023 I am firmly on team Royal Charged And Received An "Icon" Of A Fee. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 25, 2023 Report Share Posted October 25, 2023 13 hours ago, DoomSlayer said: They were already in the warzone I think as they were scheduled to be home ported in Haifa until November. The ship had left Haifa and was docked in Cyprus when it made the return trip to evacuate. DoomSlayer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted October 30, 2023 Report Share Posted October 30, 2023 On 10/24/2023 at 5:27 PM, smokeybandit said: I'd bet on them getting reimbursed or otherwise paid by the US Gov't for that trip. I don't think insurance would want them going to a potential war zone out of the goodness of their hearts. Reports are that only a couple hundred were on the cruise. They said during the earnings call last week they are not getting paid by US government "The evacuation services of Rhapsody of the Seas provided pro bono to the U.S. government, and these costs are included in our financial forecasts." Fuzzywuzzy, smokeybandit, teddy and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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