March 17, 2026
Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and in close coordination with the relevant authorities, Celestyal
All passengers have safely disembarked from the Celestyal Discovery in Dubai (UAE) and the Celestyal Journey in Doha (Qatar). Both ships are fully operational, and their departure from the region will proceed in accordance with the guidelines of the relevant authorities.
As a result, the March 27 (3-night Iconic Greek Islands cruise) and March 30 (4-night Iconic Greek Islands cruise) sailings operated by the Celestyal Discovery have been cancelled while preparations are finalized for the ship's repositioning to the Mediterranean.
Passengers with reservations on these sailings can choose between a full refund or a credit toward a future cruise. Customers are advised to contact their usual travel provider to learn about available options and next steps.
We continue to monitor the situation closely and remain committed to resuming our planned program as soon as possible. We thank our customers and partners for their patience and understanding.
March 9, 2026
AROYA Cruises
ends its Persian Gulf season early due to regional operational restrictions.
AROYA Cruises has confirmed it will not operate its remaining cruises in the Persian Gulf for the current winter season, bringing its regional program to an early close after suspending operations earlier this month.
The Saudi Arabia-based cruise line stated that the decision was made following ongoing operational assessments and coordination with maritime and national authorities in the region.
“Due to current regional operational considerations and in coordination with relevant maritime and national authorities, AROYA Cruises will not proceed with the remaining scheduled cruises in the Persian Gulf for the current season,” AROYA Cruises stated.
Celestyal
Cancellation of March 20 and 23, 2026 Departures.
Celestyal continues to monitor the evolving situation in the Middle East and remains in regular contact with the relevant authorities in the region.
All passengers have disembarked safely from the Celestyal Discovery in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and we are working to ensure that the remaining passengers from the Celestyal Journey, currently docked in Doha, Qatar, disembark within the next 24 hours.
Both ships remain fully operational and ready to sail. Their departure from the region will be in accordance with the guidelines of the relevant authorities.
Given the current situation, we have decided to cancel the March 20 (3-night Iconic Greek Islands) and March 23 (4-night Iconic Greek Islands) sailings operated by Celestyal Discovery, while we finalize operational preparations for repositioning the ship in the Mediterranean ahead of the summer season. All guests with reservations for these sailings will have the option of a full refund or a credit toward a future cruise. Please contact your original travel provider to discuss available options and next steps.
We are closely monitoring developments and are focused on resuming our planned program as soon as possible. We sincerely thank our guests and partners for their patience and understanding.
March 6, 2026
Celestyal:
We are closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and are in regular contact with the relevant authorities. Throughout this period, our priority has been, and continues to be, the safety and well-being of our guests and crew.
All passengers have now safely disembarked from the Celestyal Discovery, currently in Dubai (UAE), with onboard teams supporting subsequent transfers and accommodation arrangements as needed. Passengers currently onboard the Celestyal Journey in Doha (Qatar) will be informed of disembarkation plans in due course.
All passengers have been advised to contact their airlines directly regarding their flights and to register with their respective embassies for official updates or repatriation support. We remain in contact with embassies and foreign ministries to stay informed of any guidance or assistance being provided for future travel arrangements.
We sincerely thank our guests and partners for their patience and understanding during this evolving situation.
MSC Cruises
has arranged flights for more than 1,500 passengers who were aboard the MSC Euribia in Dubai, enabling them to leave the region. As of this morning, a total of seven flights carrying MSC Cruises passengers have already departed.
These flights include dedicated charter services operated by MSC Cruises, seats secured in partnership with Emirates and Flydubai on scheduled commercial flights, and some government-organized flights.
Passengers have been repatriated to various destinations, including Spain, the UK, Italy, Germany, the US, and Brazil.
“I am immensely proud of how the entire company has come together to carry out this highly complex repatriation operation,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises.
“The ship’s command and crew have worked tirelessly to ensure our passengers are well cared for, and our teams around the world have worked day and night to get our passengers home safely and as soon as possible. We have received unprecedented support from our airline partner Emirates, as well as from regional and national governments that are helping us facilitate the necessary operational logistics and flight authorizations. We still have some passengers on board, but we are working intensively to ensure their safe departure from the region.”
March 5, 2026
MSC
Cruises, we are working on the safest and fastest way to repatriate our passengers and have taken decisive steps to expedite this process by launching a dedicated air operation that currently includes five charter flights, with the first scheduled to depart today, Thursday, March 5. These flights will allow approximately 1,000 passengers to leave the region before Saturday.
In parallel, we are exploring all available options for the remaining passengers, including commercial flights, additional charter options, and coordinated solutions with government support.
Celestyal:
We are closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and are in regular contact with the relevant authorities. Throughout this period, our priority has been, and continues to be, the safety and well-being of our guests and crew.
Given the current geopolitical situation in the region, we have made the decision to cancel the remaining sailings in the Arabian Gulf aboard the Celestyal Journey. This decision concludes the season in the Arabian Gulf for both the Celestyal Journey and the Celestyal Discovery.
All affected guests are being contacted through their original booking channel, either their travel agency or directly with Celestyal. They are being offered the option of a full refund or a credit toward a future cruise.
Due to operational limitations and confirmed agreements with ports, guests currently on board Celestyal Discovery in Dubai (UAE) and Celestyal Journey in Doha (Qatar) will receive information regarding disembarkation plans within 24 to 48 hours.
Our onboard teams will support guests with their onward travel arrangements and offer assistance with transfers or accommodation as needed. Guests have also been advised to contact their airlines directly to arrange flights and to register with their respective embassies for official updates or support in the event of repatriation.
We remain in contact with embassies and foreign ministries to stay informed of any guidance or assistance being provided for onward travel arrangements.
Subject to operational conditions, Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery will reposition to Athens to begin their planned Mediterranean program.
We sincerely thank our guests and partners for their patience and understanding during this constantly evolving situation.
March 4, 2026
Celestyal, MSC Cruises, and TUI Cruises are working to repatriate passengers. The cruise lines are closely monitoring the situation and are in contact with the relevant authorities and international security experts.
MSC Cruises coordinates with airlines and authorities to support the repatriation of passengers (Press Release)
At MSC Cruises, we are working continuously with our airline partners in the region, particularly Emirates and Etihad Airways, to identify and secure return flights for our passengers.
We are requesting priority for our passengers from our partners. At this time, the airlines operating flights have indicated that they will follow a priority order based on the original flight date.
In order to expedite the repatriation process, we are working on other options such as arranging charter flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Muscat.
In parallel, we are maintaining constant contact with local authorities, embassies, and foreign ministries to also support the safe return of our passengers.
The situation on board remains calm. We are providing passengers with regular updates on the situation. They have full access to all onboard services and facilities, and we continue to offer a high standard of care, comfort, and support.
TUI Cruises has canceled several sailings in the Middle East as the war continues to affect cruise operations, with passengers currently on board two ships awaiting arrangements for their return journeys.
The Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 remain in the region with passengers still on board, and operations are continuing under the current circumstances. The company has suspended sailings of the Mein Schiff 4 until March 9 inclusive and of the Mein Schiff 5 until March 5 inclusive.
“All affected guests have already been informed directly by us,” TUI Cruises said in a statement. “Should further adjustments be necessary, we will contact customers with reservations immediately and proactively.” The cruise line has also asked its travel partners to refrain from making individual inquiries about upcoming departures, noting that it is “continuously assessing the situation and always making decisions based on current official recommendations.”
The cruise line is working with airlines to arrange return travel for passengers currently on board, given “the ongoing dynamic situation in the region and the limited air connections.” The company has confirmed that it will inform affected passengers as soon as reliable information becomes available.
“The safety and well-being of our guests and crew is and will remain our top priority,” TUI Cruises stated. “The TUI Cruises crisis management team is working continuously and in close coordination with the relevant authorities, the German Federal Foreign Office, the corresponding embassies, international security experts, and the security teams of our shareholders, TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Group, to constantly assess the situation and determine the necessary measures.”
Celestyal's fleet and the Mediterranean
Celestyal has canceled the remainder of its scheduled cruises in the Arabian Gulf and will end its season in the region early.
The canceled voyages were scheduled for March 7 and 14 from Doha, and March 9 and 16 from Dubai. Guests with bookings on these sailings will receive a full refund or a credit toward a future cruise.
Subject to operational conditions, Celestyal Journey and its sister ship Celestyal Discovery will be repositioned to Athens to begin their planned Mediterranean program.
A Celestyal spokesperson stated: “We are closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and are in regular contact with the relevant authorities. Throughout this period, our focus has been, and continues to be, the safety and well-being of our guests and crew.”
SHIPPING COMPANY STATEMENTS AS OF TODAY
Celestyal
We are closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East and are in regular contact with the relevant authorities. Throughout this period, our priority has been, and continues to be, the safety and well-being of our guests and crew.
Given the current geopolitical situation in the region, we have made the decision to cancel the following scheduled Celestyal Journey sailings:
- March 7 and 14 from Doha, Qatar
- March 9 and 16 from Dubai, UAE
All guests scheduled to sail on the canceled departures will be offered the option of a full refund or a credit toward a future cruise.
With the cancellation of the remaining scheduled sailings, our Arabian Gulf season will now conclude. Subject to operational conditions, the Celestyal Journey and its sister ship, the Celestyal Discovery, will reposition in Athens to begin their planned Mediterranean program.
We sincerely thank our guests and partners for their patience and understanding in this changing situation.
MSC Cruises:
Our priority is the safety and well-being of our passengers and crew. We are following the guidance of regional military authorities to keep the ship in port in Dubai.
Following the limited resumption of flights from the region, we are working closely with airlines to facilitate our passengers' travel. Given the considerable delays and the scale of the disruption, airlines are methodically scheduling new flights, and this process will take time. We are fully committed to our airline partners and focused on ensuring a safe and orderly return home for our passengers.
We are also in contact with embassies and ministries of foreign affairs to ensure they have the relevant information regarding their nationals on board and to understand the repatriation plans being developed.
At this time, the situation on board remains calm. Passengers have full access to all onboard services and facilities, and we continue to guarantee a high level of care, comfort, and support for both passengers and crew.
The military escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, with joint US-Israeli airstrikes against targets in Iran, has had significant and growing consequences for transportation and tourism in the Middle East, including the cruise industry in the Persian Gulf.
As of March 2, several medium and large cruise ships remain docked in ports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Doha, operated by shipping companies such as Aroya, Celestyal Cruises, MSC Cruises and TUI Cruises, without having departed according to their usual itineraries due to the security situation and disruptions to air transport in the region.
One of the most recent confirmed cancellations affects the scheduled departure of the MSC Euribia from Doha, which has been cancelled while the shipping company reviews operating conditions in the Gulf.
Cruise lines such as Celestyal Cruises have reiterated that the safety of passengers and crew is the top priority and that they are providing continuous updates to customers, although many itineraries remain suspended or subject to change.
The situation on the ground has resulted in a near-total closure of airspace over several Gulf countries and key international connecting routes:
Airports such as Dubai (DXB) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) have suspended operations following Iranian attacks that caused damage to terminals and injuries, leading to the indefinite cancellation of commercial flights at these global hubs.
This shutdown extended to the airspaces of Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Syria and Israel, with regional and international airlines canceling or reorganizing services and leaving large numbers of passengers stranded around the world.
According to air tracking data, hundreds of thousands of travelers have suffered cancellations, diversions or delays, and many airlines have offered waivers for ticket changes in response to the conflict.
Regional and maritime context
The escalation has not only affected air traffic but also strategic maritime routes in the Persian Gulf. Reports from official sources indicate threats and operations that could restrict transit through sensitive areas such as the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important maritime arteries for global energy and goods trade.
This component, although it has not yet forced massive route changes in cruises, is a risk factor that shipping companies are assessing in light of instructions from their safety teams and maritime authorities.
Repercussions for the cruise industry
The impact so far can be summarized in three areas:
- Port operations and scheduled departures are affected, with several itineraries cancelled or postponed while risk assessment continues.
- Disruptions to connecting flights for passengers and crew, with key airports closed and massive cancellations on routes to and from the Gulf.
- Uncertainty about nearby shipping routes, which forces companies to review navigation plans and safety protocols in real time.
Recommendations for passengers
Operators and agencies are advising passengers with cruises scheduled from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Doha to contact their cruise lines or travel agencies directly for the latest information and to learn about refund options, route changes, or alternative dates.
The situation in the Gulf is highly dynamic and continues to evolve. The cruise industry, like other segments of tourism and transportation, is responding to a complex geopolitical environment with enhanced security measures and ongoing itinerary reviews, while awaiting clear indications of stability in the region.
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