This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Chelsea Hudson, a 35-year-old based in Hoboken, New Jersey. Hudson scheduled a 10-day vacation with friends in Egypt. She inquired about canceling her vacation when regional violence broke out after the US and Israel bombed Iran. Her insurance denied coverage because the current travel advisory for Egypt is not high enough. It’s been edited for length and clarity.
I’ve been to 30 countries, so I’m very well versed in travel. Egypt has been on my radar for a year or two. We booked this back in December, not knowing what the world would be like. We looked into different options, and it made sense to book a full all-inclusive tour. We were scheduled to land in Cairo on March 6 and are coming home on March 16. I spent about $2,400 on flights, the tour, hotels, and travel insurance.
We were really looking forward to it, and then when the news came out on February 28, it was an “oh crap” moment. There’s a lot of uncertainty over the status of the Middle East. We’re seeing strikes in Dubai, the US embassy being struck in Saudi Arabia, so you feel like it’s a domino effect. When is the domino going to fall, and will that domino be in Egypt?
I checked the news every day to see what’s going on. On the Monday after the strikes began, the US issued a travel advisory saying American citizens in around 14 countries need to leave, but don’t rely on the government to help you get back.
There were plenty of flights in and out of Egypt, which has a Level 2 advisory. We were paying close attention to the US Embassy and Egypt forums. We also signed up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.
I thought about canceling the trip, but my travel insurance doesn’t cover being nervous. The US would have to update its Egypt travel advisory from Level 2 to Level 4, which means do not travel, or our flights would have to be canceled for the travel insurance to cover the tour.
I also contacted the tour group, and they weren’t willing to reschedule. We said they can keep our money, and that we’d like to reschedule for a further date, but they said it was business as usual in Egypt.
I have been to many countries where my flight has been canceled, or there was a mechanical issue, and I had to figure it out, which is totally fine. I understand that these things happen, but it feels weird that I’m going into it knowing that there’s caution. It seems like we’re flying into where everyone is fleeing.
I also understand there are strict policies, because you can’t just decide the day before your trip, “I don’t feel like going anymore.” Still, given the current situation, there should be flexibility and options for Americans who don’t want to travel because the US government has issued advisories to stay out of that region. If I were to listen to that, then I would have to forfeit thousands of dollars.
I’m trying to remain positive. What’s wonderful about Egypt is that there’s a lot to see there. We’re seeing the pyramids on our first full day, then we’ll take a train to Aswan to take a Nile Cruise.
