Cruise lines cancel sailings, reroute ships as Middle East conflict disrupts voyages

Several cruise lines have canceled their voyages or changed their itineraries in the Middle East due to ongoing safety issues amid the Iran conflict.

Celestyal Cruises - an Athens-based company offering itineraries through the Greek Islands, as well as the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea - canceled all its April sailings, as two of its ships remain out of service. All departures scheduled for April 2026 have been canceled.

"Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, we have been unable to reposition our ships, Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey, back to the Mediterranean," the cruise line said in a March 30 statement.

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"As a result, following careful consideration, all departures scheduled for April 2026 have been canceled."

Celestyal Discovery remains in Dubai and Celestyal Journey in Doha, both unable to depart the region due to restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz. The cruise line is targeting an early May return to service.

Those plans remain uncertain amid escalating geopolitical tensions.

Passengers can choose a full refund or a future cruise credit.

Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said, "Our priority remains the safety and confidence of our guests, crew and partners. While we know this will be disappointing, making this decision now provides greater clarity and flexibility for those affected."

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Haslett went on, "Our teams are working closely with guests and travel partners to support rebooking options and ensure a smooth transition, and we remain focused on returning to service in the Mediterranean as soon as it is safe to do so."

Celestyal Discovery is next scheduled to sail on May 1, 2026, followed by Celestyal Journey on May 2 for a seven-night Greece, Italy and Croatia trip. 

Fox News Digital reached out to Celestyal Cruises for comment.

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Explora II, another ship, will no longer sail in the Middle East for winter 2026-2027 and will instead operate in the Mediterranean.

Geneva-based Explora Journeys said it wants to provide clarity and confidence for guests and travel advisors. The revised season will feature Western Mediterranean and North Africa itineraries, combining well-known ports with lesser-known destinations, including Funchal, Casablanca and Ibiza's Old Town.

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Fox News Digital reached out to Explora Journeys for comment.

At least six ships from four different companies were affected by the conflict in the region in early March, according to Cruise Hive.

"We regret to inform our guests and travel partners that, in view of the current circumstances in the Middle East, the Celestyal Journey cruise scheduled to depart from Dubai on March 2, and the Celestyal Discovery cruise scheduled to depart from Abu Dhabi on March 2, have been [canceled]," Celestyal said in a previous statement shared with Cruise Critic.

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As travel chaos gripped the Middle East, MSC Cruises worked to bring passengers home. 

The Swiss cruise line chartered seven flights and bought large groups of seats on commercial planes to repatriate over 1,500 guests stuck on the MSC Euribia in Dubai, according to the cruise line.

"These flights include dedicated charter services operated at MSC Cruises' expense, seats secured in partnership with Emirates and Fly Dubai on scheduled commercial services, as well as some government‑organized flights," an MSC Cruises spokesperson told Fox News Digital in early March.

Guests have returned to many destinations - including the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, the United States and Brazil.