European cruises have been cancelled after ships became stuck in Gulf ports, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Cruise lines have been working around the clock to repatriate travellers after vessels were unable to leave Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi due to heightened regional tensions in the Middle East.
According to the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO), roughly 15,000 cruise passengers from multiple operators, including MSC, TUI, Celestyal, and AROYA, were affected by the disruptions. Ships remained docked in key Arabian Gulf ports as companies coordinated with local authorities to ensure passenger safety.
Greek cruise line Celestyal confirmed that Celestyal Discovery remains in Dubai while Celestyal Journey is in Doha. The company stated that all passengers in Dubai had disembarked safely, and those aboard Celestyal Journey are expected to leave in Qatar within 24 hours. Both ships remain fully operational and will depart according to guidance from local authorities.
The disruption has forced Celestyal to cancel two upcoming “Iconic Aegean” Greek island cruises. The three-night sailing scheduled for 20 March and the four-night voyage on 23 March aboard Celestyal Discovery will no longer operate as the ship is repositioned to the Mediterranean for the summer season. Passengers affected will receive full refunds or future cruise credit.
Other cruise operators have faced similar challenges. Saudi Arabia-backed AROYA Cruises cancelled the remainder of its Arabian Gulf winter season after safely disembarking passengers in Dubai on 7 March. The decision followed consultations with maritime and national authorities due to ongoing operational concerns in the region.
MSC Cruises, headquartered in Geneva, has arranged repatriation flights for passengers aboard the MSC Euribia in Dubai. More than 1,500 guests have been returned to destinations including the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, the United States, and Brazil. The company used a combination of charter flights and commercial airline seats to facilitate departures. Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises, noted that crews and global teams worked tirelessly to ensure guests were cared for and returned home safely.
German operator TUI Cruises also announced cancellations. Sailings on Mein Schiff 4 are cancelled through 23 March, while trips on Mein Schiff 5 are suspended through 12 March. Mein Schiff 4 is docked in Abu Dhabi, with return arrangements for all guests and many crew members already completed. Guests on Mein Schiff 5 remain in Doha, with operations continuing under the circumstances. TUI Cruises is coordinating return journeys via charter flights and seat allocations with Qatar Airways.
These disruptions highlight the vulnerability of international cruise schedules to geopolitical tensions. Operators are prioritising safety and logistical coordination to minimise impact on travellers, while regional ports remain under close scrutiny as the situation develops.
The current situation underscores the complex dependencies of global cruise operations. Ships can be fully operational but still immobilised due to external political or security concerns. Passengers are being repatriated, and cruise lines are reassessing itineraries to adapt to volatile conditions. Future sailings in Europe are expected to continue under heightened monitoring, with contingency plans in place to avoid further disruption.
