The unfolding situation in the Middle East is causing more cruises to be cancelled for one cruise line, while another has decided in advance to make changes over the uncertainty in the region.
Celestyal Cruises has now cancelled all remaining sailings for both Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey through April 2026, as ongoing instability continues to prevent the ships from leaving the Arabian Gulf.
In total, a further 11 cruises have been withdrawn across the two vessels, with their Mediterranean seasons now expected to begin in early May. Celestyal Discovery is scheduled to resume operations on 1st May, followed by Celestyal Journey on 2nd May.
The cruise line said the decision was taken to provide clarity for affected guests, as uncertainty remains around when vessels will be able to safely transit out of the region.
“Our priority remains the safety and confidence of our guests, crew and partners,” said Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer of Celestyal. “While we know this will be disappointing, making this decision now provides greater clarity and flexibility for those affected.”
Both ships remain in the Arabian Gulf, with Celestyal Discovery currently in Dubai and Celestyal Journey in Doha. All guests and non-operational crew have already been safely disembarked, and neither vessel has sustained any damage.
Passengers impacted by the latest cancellations are being offered either a full refund or the option to rebook using a future cruise credit.
Why Ships Cannot Yet Return To Europe
Despite the cancelled sailings taking place in the Mediterranean, the disruption is being driven by the ships’ inability to reposition from the Middle East.
To reach Athens, both vessels must pass through the Strait of Hormuz before sailing around the Arabian Peninsula, through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. The full journey covers approximately 4,400 miles and would take more than eight days of continuous sailing under ideal conditions.
However, with the Strait of Hormuz still considered unsafe for transit, the ships are effectively unable to begin that journey.
Even once clearance is granted, additional time will be needed to restaff and reprovision the vessels ahead of their summer programmes.
If no further delays occur, Celestyal Discovery is expected to resume with short Greek Islands itineraries, while Celestyal Journey will begin a series of longer Adriatic sailings.
MSC Cruises Moves Ship Away From Region
While Celestyal continues to deal with immediate disruption, MSC Cruises has opted to take pre-emptive action for its future deployment.
The cruise line has cancelled MSC World Europa’s planned 2026 to 2027 winter season in the Middle East, citing ongoing safety concerns linked to the conflict.
Instead, the ship will be redeployed to the French Antilles in the Caribbean, marking its first season in the region. The vessel will offer a mix of 7- and 14-night itineraries departing from ports including Fort-de-France in Martinique, Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe and Bridgetown in Barbados.
Ports of call are set to include destinations such as Saint Lucia, Grenada, St Maarten, Antigua, Dominica and St Vincent.
MSC said the change would allow guests to enjoy a warm-weather winter experience in a more stable region, while still benefiting from the ship’s onboard features.
The decision also reflects ongoing operational challenges in the Middle East. MSC Euribia remains unable to leave Dubai due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns that additional ships could face similar issues if deployed to the region.
As a result of the change, MSC World Europa will replace MSC Seaview in the French Antilles. MSC Seaview is now expected to operate in South America for the winter 2026 to 2027 season, with further details to be announced.
Guests booked on the cancelled Middle East itineraries are being contacted with options to switch sailings or receive refunds.
Outlook Remains Uncertain
Both developments highlight how the continued closure of key shipping routes is affecting not only current cruise operations but also future planning.
While Celestyal is working towards a delayed start to its Mediterranean season, MSC Cruises has taken a longer-term view by removing a major ship from the region entirely.
With no clear timeline for when normal transit through the Strait of Hormuz will resume, further itinerary changes across the industry remain possible.
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