ruth901
A cruise in the Persian Gulf ends very differently than expected. A couple from Vogelsberg actually wanted to fly home from Dubai. Instead, the two are stuck on the “MeinSchiff4” with thousands of passengers in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi – “We arrived in Dubai on Monday, everything was great. The travel agency had given the green light for the trip,” says Petra Miebach (59) from Schotten in the Vogelsberg district. Because she and her partner Michael Erlenmaier want to get married in the summer, the cruise was intended as a preliminary honeymoon.
Iran conflict: Cruise turns into a thrill for couple from Hesse
“It would have been too hot in summer,” says Petra Miebach. Now it will Cruise trip, popular with many tourists from Germany is, involuntarily prolonged. The airspace over the Gulf states has been closed since Iran attacked US bases there.
When two drones hit Abu Dhabi on Saturday, Petra Miebach and Michael Erlenmaier were on a “beautiful island,” Al Maya Island. “We heard two bangs and saw little white clouds in the sky. We didn't think much of it,” reports the 59-year-old, who has lived in the Fulda district for almost 50 years.
Fifteen minutes later, all passengers were suddenly supposed to come back to the ship. “Of course there was a lot of hecticness at that moment.” The next day, on Sunday afternoon, a drone struck again – near the harbor, not far from the ship. “I got a little scared,” admits Miebach.
The crew activated an emergency plan and gathered all passengers on the decks in the middle of the cruise ship. “We had to wait there for a moment. It was a bit hectic. Many people were very unsure, some were crying. But then, thank God, it didn't take long and we were allowed to go back to the cabins.”
Since then, guests have been asked to avoid spending time outdoors. “We're supposed to stay inside, but of course there's still a lot to do here, from the sauna to the indoor pool,” explains the Scottish woman. She and her partner also reported on ARD Brennpunkt on Monday evening (March 2nd) how they were stranded on their cruise ship during the war.
“We are constantly informed here, the captain makes an announcement in the morning and afternoon. Everything has been quiet since Sunday and we are doing well here. We are well looked after, we have food and drink and are allowed to use everything except the outdoor facilities.” Miebach's employer knows and is understanding.
Over 450 flights at German airports are canceled
The situation in the Middle East has a significant impact on air traffic to and from Germany. At the eight largest airports in this country, more than 450 flights will be canceled until March 5th, as the airport association ADV announced. Connections to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Doha, Dubai, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Tel Aviv are affected.
135,000 passengers are currently unable to start their journey as planned. Many travelers are stuck in the Middle East. According to the German Travel Association, 30,000 customers of German tour operators are affected. Those affected should find out more on the websites of their airlines and follow the travel and safety instructions from the Federal Foreign Office.
For the couple from Vogelsberg in Hesse and for thousands of others it is now a matter of waiting. “Of course we have a bad feeling. But now we just trust that we are safe and that we will be able to go home soon.”
