Cruise ships stranded in the Gulf are back in operation, starting with Celestyal Discovery's journey to Oman following the ceasefire in the Middle East.
Following the ceasefire declared in the Middle East, the relative calm in the region and statements indicating that the Strait of Hormuz is open to ship traffic have led to the resumption of movement for cruise ships that were stranded in the Persian Gulf.
The first passenger ship to set sail was the Celestyal Discovery. The vessel departed from Port Rashid in Dubai and crossed the Strait of Hormuz to reach the Gulf of Oman.
Shortly thereafter, the Celestyal Journey also departed from Doha Port in Qatar, heading towards the strait.
Critical Operation for Celestyal
For Celestyal, which operates a two-ship fleet, the evacuation of the vessels from the region is of great importance. The company was forced to cancel its revenue-generating voyages planned until the end of April and aims to return to its Greek Islands program in early May.
MSC and TUI Ships Also Set Sail
Following the Celestyal vessels, the MSC Euribia completed its refueling and set course for Oman.
Additionally, Mein Schiff 5 also departed from Doha, heading towards Oman.
In contrast, Mein Schiff 4 continues to wait in Abu Dhabi, while Aroya is anchored in Saudi Arabia.
New Security Decision for the Red Sea Route
With the ships exiting the Persian Gulf, a new decision lies ahead for the companies. It remains unclear whether the vessels will use the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait route to reach the Mediterranean or opt for the longer route around the southern tip of Africa.
Previously, Celestyal and Aroya ships had used the Red Sea route, while TUI Cruises had directed its vessels around Africa.
Uncertainty in the Regional Cruise Market
The Persian Gulf and the Middle East have been significant cruise markets for ships repositioned from Europe, especially during the winter season. However, due to security risks, MSC Cruises has decided to cancel its program in the region for the 2026-2027 season and redirect its ships to the Caribbean.
Industry sources suggest that other cruise companies may similarly consider alternative destinations.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
