Itinerary changes were steadily announced in January by cruise operators including AIDA, Crystal Cruises, NCL, Oceania Cruises, regent Seven Seas Cruises and MSC following the decision to suspend cruise calls in Turkish ports until further notice.

Alternative ports were announced, depending on itineraries offered by each company. This decision was taken amid growing concerns by guests as a result of the tragic events in Istanbul prior to the mid-January announcements. Thomson Cruises had already cancelled all calls to Tunisia due to events there in 2015.