Six Cruise Ships Stranded In Middle East As Conflict Escalates And Sailings Cancelled

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Six cruise ships remain unable to leave the Middle East after the joint US and Israeli strike on Iran on 28th February 2026 triggered a rapid escalation in the region, forcing cruise lines to cancel departures and keep vessels in port.

MSC Euribia

With Iran retaliating and the Strait of Hormuz currently closed to shipping, vessels cannot reposition to safer waters without entering a zone considered highly dangerous.

At the same time, attacks on regional airports have made it unsafe for many guests to fly home, leaving thousands stranded onboard with no confirmed timeline for departure.

As of 1st March 2026, ships from MSC Cruises, TUI Cruises, Celestyal Cruises and Aroya Cruises remain affected.

MSC Cruises Holds Euribia In Dubai

MSC Cruises has confirmed that MSC Euribia will remain docked in Dubai until further notice after cancelling its 1st March 2026 sailing from Doha, Qatar.

The LNG-powered vessel had been scheduled to call in Dubai between 27th and 28th February and is now berthed at Cruise Terminal 3 at Port Rashid.

“In alignment with the national authorities, it has been decided to remain in the port of Dubai until further notice,” MSC wrote in a letter to impacted guests.

Passengers are permitted to go ashore during the extended stay but have been advised to remain within the cruise terminal area for safety reasons.

On 3rd March, MSC Cruises confirmed that all further Middle East sailings for MSC Euribia had been cancelled. Three more sailings had been planned.

Guests are still onboard from the prior sailing, with ongoing efforts to secure safe flights home for them.

The cruise line has said that the situation onboard is calm, and that guests are still able to enjoy all entertainment, dining venues and services until transport home has been arranged.

The ship is due to travel to Northern Europe in April to begin a summer of Europe cruises.

TUI Cruises Cancels Multiple Sailings

TUI Cruises has two ships caught up in the disruption, with Mein Schiff 4 in Abu Dhabi and Mein Schiff 5 in Doha when tensions escalated.

Passengers onboard both ships have been instructed to remain indoors and away from windows while the line assesses developments in coordination with authorities.

“We are monitoring the situation very closely and are in constant contact with the relevant authorities as well as the security departments of our parent companies TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Group,” the cruise line said in an update.

By the afternoon of 28th February, the cruise line had cancelled Mein Schiff 4’s planned 7-night departures on 1st and 2nd March. Mein Schiff 5’s 10-night sailing scheduled to begin on 28th February was also scrapped.

Then on 3rd March, the cruise line confirmed that further departures had been cancelled – the 8th and 9th March sailings on Mein Schiff 4, and the 5th March sailing on Mein Schiff 5.

“We are already in close contact with the airlines. Should any last-minute changes to your itinerary be necessary, we will contact you immediately and proactively,” the update stated.

Tensions were brought into sharp focus on 1st March when two drones crash landed in Port Zayed, Abu Dhabi, while Mein Schiff 4 was alongside. Guests were assembled in the theatre as a precaution while crew assessed the situation. Onboard operations have since resumed as normally as possible.

Passengers aboard the 2,506-guest vessel have reported that crew are reviewing supplies, including medication and baby essentials, to ensure sufficient provisions for at least a week if required. A dedicated family hotline has also been established for relatives seeking updates.

The cruise line has confirmed that guests onboard remain comfortable, operations are running as normal for those guests onboard, and that the cruise line is working with airlines to assess the situation for getting those guests home.

Celestyal Extends Port Stays

Celestyal Cruises initially paused operations for 24 hours but has since extended the delay for at least one vessel.

Celestyal Journey

Celestyal Journey will now remain docked in Doha until 7th March.

“We are closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East in coordination with the relevant authorities…Both ships will remain in port for 24 hours while the situation is assessed,” Celestyal Cruises stated earlier in the crisis.

In a subsequent update shared on social media, the line confirmed: “Celestyal Journey will remain alongside in Doha until March 7. Subject to operating conditions, we then plan to resume our scheduled Desert Days itinerary.”

“Guests currently onboard may choose to remain on Journey until March 7 or disembark in Doha in the interim.”

Embarkations for 7-night sailings scheduled on 28th February and 2nd March for the 1,260-guest ship have been cancelled.

Meanwhile, Celestyal Discovery remains alongside in Dubai. The ship was due to operate a 7-night sailing from Dubai on 28th February and a 4-night cruise from Abu Dhabi on 2nd March, both of which have been cancelled.

“Celestyal Discovery is currently alongside in Dubai. At present, in line with instructions from local authorities, we are unable to disembark guests,” the cruise line added.

Affected passengers are being offered either full refunds or future cruise credit options.

Aroya Cruises Monitoring Situation

Saudi Arabian operator Aroya Cruises also has a vessel impacted. Its only ship, Aroya Manara, which carries up to 3,362 guests, is currently docked in Dubai according to tracking data.

While no official cancellations have yet been announced, the line has cautioned that changes may follow.

“The safety of our guests is our absolute priority…We will keep you informed of any further updates or changes,” Aroya Cruises said in a social media statement.

Strait Of Hormuz Closure Creates Major Challenge

A key factor complicating evacuation or repositioning efforts is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane bordering Iran. Any attempt to sail out of the Gulf would require transit through waters now deemed unsafe.

With commercial aviation also disrupted by attacks on regional airports, cruise lines face limited options to repatriate guests quickly.

The situation remains highly fluid. Cruise operators have advised passengers currently onboard or due to travel to monitor official communications closely and follow all safety instructions as geopolitical tensions continue to unfold.

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