Cruise companies are working to repatriate thousands of passengers stranded in Gulf ports due to regional tensions affecting European itineraries.
Cruise companies are working day and night to send passengers back to their countries due to ships unable to depart from the ports of Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. The ongoing regional tensions have led to the cancellation of numerous European cruise itineraries for the upcoming period due to several ships being unable to leave the ports in the Persian Gulf.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has forced operators to suspend voyages and return thousands of stranded passengers to their home countries. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency, reported to AFP that around 15,000 cruise passengers are stuck in the region while ships belonging to various companies, including MSC, TUI, Celestyal, and AROYA, are waiting in key ports.
Greek cruise company Celestyal confirmed on Monday that its ships are still in the Gulf, with Celestyal Discovery anchored in Dubai and Celestyal Journey in Doha. The company stated that passengers were safely disembarked in Dubai and that the remaining guests on Celestyal Journey are expected to disembark in Qatar 'within the next 24 hours.'
The cruise company is finalizing preparations to reposition the ship to the Mediterranean for the summer season.
Celestyal stated, 'Both ships are fully operational and ready to sail,' and noted that departures from the region will occur 'in accordance with the guidance of the relevant authorities.' However, the disruption has forced Celestyal to cancel two of its 'Iconic Aegean' Greek island tours planned for later this month.
The three-night cruise on March 20 and the four-night cruise on March 23 operated by Celestyal Discovery will no longer take place; the cruise company is completing preparations to reposition the ship to the Mediterranean for the summer season. Passengers who had reservations for the affected cruises will be offered a full refund or a travel credit for future use.
Season cancellations have led to passengers being returned to their countries.
Other cruise companies have also had to change or suspend their programs in the region. Saudi Arabia-backed AROYA Cruises confirmed the complete cancellation of the remaining winter season in the Persian Gulf. The company reported that all passengers on board were safely disembarked in Dubai on March 7 following the decision made due to 'ongoing regional operational assessments and coordination with relevant maritime and national authorities.'
Meanwhile, Geneva-based MSC Cruises is organizing evacuation flights for passengers traveling on the MSC Euribia ship in Dubai. According to a report by Euronews, the company announced that it has arranged flights for over 1,500 guests to leave the region. Seven flights, including special charter flights as well as seats provided on scheduled airlines, have already taken place. Passengers are being sent to destinations including the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, the United States, and Brazil.
Similar decisions have been made by TUI Cruises.
MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago stated, 'Our command staff and crew on board have worked tirelessly to ensure our guests are well taken care of, and our teams around the world have been on duty day and night to safely and promptly return our guests home.'
German operator TUI Cruises announced that all its sailings up to March 23, including the planned departure of Mein Schiff 4 on that date, have been canceled, and the sailings of Mein Schiff 5, including a tour expected to start on March 12, have also been canceled.
TUI stated on Monday that Mein Schiff 4 is currently anchored in Abu Dhabi and that 'return journeys for all guests and numerous crew members have already been organized' in recent days. Passengers on Mein Schiff 5 continue to remain on board in Doha; operations are said to be 'continuing as normally as conditions allow.' Return journeys for guests and crew are being 'continuously' planned through charter flights organized by TUI Cruises and seats provided on Qatar Airways flights.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
