there goes my holiday!

dearbarbie

i am supposed to be going to sharm el-sheikh a week tomorrow...should i be calling our travel agent to make alternative holiday arrangements?

apparently the us embassy is advising all its citizens to get out of the country, not just in cairo but all over it.

my dad died a few weeks ago, been REALLY looking forward to it :mad:

Leper

Yep, I would cancel immediately and hope my travel agent will come up with an alternative.

apt

It is highly likely that you will have to find an alternative holiday, but do not cancel on your own initiative as you will have to pay. Wait for the tour operator to cancel it.

dearbarbie

great ideas - thanks.
am waiting for Fortis to email me a copy of my travel insurance policy in case I need to use it!

Pollycat

Not very good advice from Leper, see why from cityboy & apt.

Check out latest travel advice from FCO:
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/travel-advice-by-country/middle-east-north-africa/egypt

Red Sea resorts not mentioned.

What tour operator have you booked with?
Check out their website for advice.

Here's what Thomson say:

Sharm el Sheikh - The resort has not been affected by the demonstrations and is a considerable distance - indeed, an eight hour drive - from Cairo. To put this distance into context, it is the equivalent of driving from London to Dortmund, Germany or from Manchester to Bruges, Belgium via the channel tunnel.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office are advising against all but essential travel to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Suez, therefore holidaymakers in Sharm el Sheikh will not be affected and can continue their holiday.
All excursions to Luxor and Cairo have been cancelled until further notice. Our experienced resort team are on hand to answer any questions customers may have.
People should also take considerable reassurance from the fact that the resort of Sharm el Sheikh operates like a country in itself. It is run separately from the rest of the Egypt, benefits from having just one secure road into the resort, and enjoys an exceptionally low crime rate. There is also no unemployment in Sharm el Sheikh, since those living in the resort are only there because they are employed in tourism.
As the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advice has not changed for Sharm el Sheikh, and as it is safe to do so, operations will continue and normal booking conditions will apply.

I hope it works out for you.

dearbarbie

Thanks - however acc to The Telegraph, the president is assumed to have headed to Sharm (his winter home) so that could be a cause of tension. Also, no military is allowed on the Sinai since the Camp David treaty so if they go there, the Israelis could get annoyed...

happy35

ring the travel agent and see what they offer, apparently the hotels have barricaded in the guests in Sharm incase there is any protests and the local shops etc are closed. BBC news spoke to a journalist who is on holiday there I don't think there has been any protests yet but thye must think it is likely

I am due to go to Turkey and am worried that this may be the next place to have problems

Pollycat

OK, the bottom line is that unless the FCO advice changes to NO travel to Red Sea resorts and Tour Operators cancel holidays, you'll either have to go or cancel & lose your money.

What tour operator have you booked with?
Check out their website for advice.

It doesn't really matter what the Telegraph are saying, it's what your Tour Operator is doing.

I read on Holidaytruths that Thomas Cook are refusing to allow change or postponement of a booking to Sharm for a holiday departing tomorrow.

corbyboy

The previous advice is right. If you are still allowed to travel to Egypt then you won't be able to cancel your holiday.

The US stance is interesting. They are not advising people to leave the country but they are advising against all but essential travel to anywhere in the country. Whereas the UK are only advising against travel to certain areas of the country.
Conflicting advice given to Brits and Americans there.

I presume your travel insurance will have the standard civil unrest getout clause in it too.

dearbarbie

thanks all - if we can go, i still want to, i just dont like the uncertainty hehe - still, its very excited. i will check out holidaytruths now, thats a fabby idea

Errata

There is a country wide curfew which will affect hotel workers etc, and Sharm now has roadblocks.
TBH it doesn't look promising and things may get much worse before they get better.