16 MAY: Concern about political unrest in the Middle East is still having an effect on Eastern Mediterranean cruise business.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has cancelled a planned series of winter sailings by Norwegian Jade later this year, and will move the ship to Barcelona.
The line is blaming a lack of bookings caused by the unrest - even though Egypt is the only country in the itineraries hit by the upheavals.
Norwegian Jade was scheduled to make 15 sailings to Turkey, Greece, Israel and Egypt.
"We didn’t cancel because of the unrest", a spokeswoman told newspaper USA Today.
"We cancelled due to the lack of bookings because of the unrest.
"In other words, the unrest that occurred in the region is still making on impact on where people are choosing to travel".
NCL chief operating officer Howard Frank said passengers are even worried about Israel
