Cruise Lines Cancel Remaining Arabian Gulf Seasons

Several cruise lines have decided to cancel the rest of their 2025–26 winter operations in the Arabian Gulf due to ongoing security concerns and operational challenges in the region.

Celestyal

Celestyal Cruises, which had deployed both of its ships in the region for the winter, cancelled the rest of its Arabian Gulf program earlier this month.

Because Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery remain in the area, the cruise line was also forced to cancel the first sailings of its upcoming Eastern Mediterranean season.

In a statement released earlier this week, Celestyal said it is “still in the process of finalizing operational arrangements” for repositioning the vessels back to Europe.

Costa and AIDA

Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises, two established operators in the Arabian Gulf market, had already cancelled their upcoming seasons in mid-2025.

The brands had planned to run cruises in the region between November 2025 and March 2026 using the Costa Toscana and AIDAprima, respectively.

TUI

TUI Cruises is also affected, with two ships currently in the Arabian Gulf: Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5.

In an update on its website, the company said it decided to cancel its regional sailings after reviewing travel and safety guidance issued by the German Foreign Office.

As a result, all cruises scheduled on Mein Schiff 4 through March 23, 2026, have been cancelled. Sailings planned for Mein Schiff 5 through March 12, 2026, have also been called off.

MSC

MSC Cruises, which had planned sailings in the area through early April, confirmed it has cancelled the remainder of its Middle East season.

In its statement, the company said the decision was taken to prioritize the safety and well-being of both guests and crew while following guidance issued by regional military authorities.

The MSC Euribia had been scheduled to operate five more cruises in the Arabian Gulf, with itineraries including ports in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain.

Aroya

Aroya Cruises has cancelled every remaining cruise planned in the Arabian Gulf for the 2025–26 season.

In a statement shared with media, the company explained that the move was linked to “ongoing regional operational considerations” and was made in coordination with maritime and national authorities.

The Aroya arrived in the United Arab Emirates in late February and had been scheduled to operate itineraries in the region until early May.

In similar announcements, the Carnival Corporation brands said the decision reflected the evolving situation in the region and was intended to provide guests with greater certainty about their travel plans.