The first cruise ships have begun leaving the Arabian Gulf after weeks of disruption, with Celestyal Discovery leading a gradual return to movement through the Strait of Hormuz following a prolonged closure linked to regional conflict.
The 1,360-guest vessel departed Port Rashid in Dubai at 11:36 am local time on 17th April, becoming the first known cruise ship to transit out of the strait since late February. The ship is now sailing towards Muscat, Oman, where it is due to arrive on 18th April at 4 pm.
The reopening marks a significant turning point for the cruise sector, which had effectively been shut out of the key shipping lane after Iran warned vessels against entering the waterway on 28th February amid escalating tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
That warning halted traffic through the narrow channel linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, leaving multiple cruise ships stranded in regional ports and forcing widespread cancellations and itinerary changes.
Celestyal Discovery had been operating its ‘Iconic Arabia’ itinerary at the time, visiting ports including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Khasab. Its sister ship, Celestyal Journey, had been sailing similar ‘Desert Days’ cruises but was forced to remain in Doha as the situation developed.
More Ships Now On The Move
Following Celestyal Discovery’s departure, several other cruise ships have now begun repositioning voyages out of the region, signalling cautious confidence that transit through the strait is once again possible.
MSC Cruises’ MSC Euribia, one of the largest vessels impacted, has departed Dubai and is currently sailing towards Muscat at reduced speed, with an expected arrival late on 18th April.
The 184,000-gross-ton LNG-powered ship had been due to begin its European summer season in Kiel, Germany, but multiple sailings have already been cancelled due to the delay. Whether it can meet its planned 23rd May departure from Germany will depend on how quickly it can complete the long journey to Europe.
Celestyal Journey has also departed Doha and is heading towards Khasab, near the northern tip of Oman within the Strait of Hormuz. The ship is expected to arrive late morning on 18th April, likely for refuelling or resupply before continuing towards its Mediterranean deployment. The vessel is scheduled to operate 7-night Greek Isles sailings from Greece through to November.
TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 5 is similarly underway from Doha, also bound for Khasab, with an arrival expected early afternoon on 18th April. The ship is due to spend the summer season in the Mediterranean, sailing from Heraklion before later repositioning to the Caribbean.
Cruise lines have not yet issued formal statements confirming a full reopening of the strait, but ship tracking data indicates a steady resumption of movements.
The best place to track cruise ships – as well as save a record of all cruises you’ve been on, replay the routes and countdown to your upcoming cruises – is The Cruise Globe, which is free to join.
More Departures Expected Soon
Attention is now turning to the remaining vessels still in the region, most notably Mein Schiff 4, which remains docked in Abu Dhabi at the time of writing. The ship had been due to begin its Mediterranean season earlier this month and may now adjust its route to reach Europe more quickly.
If conditions remain stable, further departures are expected in the coming days as cruise lines work to reposition ships for the summer season. These voyages typically involve sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, across the Arabian Sea, transiting the Suez Canal and continuing into Europe.
Many of the ships are currently travelling without guests on board, allowing operators to prioritise refuelling, resupply and crew logistics following the extended توقف. Some crew members may need to rejoin their vessels after precautionary evacuations during the height of the crisis.
Despite the heightened tensions in recent weeks, including a reported incident on 1st March when Iranian drones crashed in Abu Dhabi near Mein Schiff 4, no cruise ships have reported any damage.
The situation now appears to be stabilising, but cruise lines are likely to proceed cautiously, with ongoing security considerations and any requirements imposed by Iranian authorities expected to influence how quickly normal operations can fully resume.
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