AIDA Cruises opened bookings for cruises to the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf during the 2027-28 winter season.

The itineraries will be operated by the AIDAperla.

The 2017-built vessel will offer its first season in the region, with cruises departing from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Starting on December 16, 2027, the deployment includes a series of seven- to 14-night sailings to destinations in the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar.

In addition to its two homeports, the AIDAperla is scheduled to visit Sir Bani Yas, Khalifa Bin Salman, Muscat and Doha.

The season runs through early April 2028, when the 3,250-passenger ship is scheduled to return to Europe.

The 125,500-ton vessel is also scheduled to offer repositioning cruises via Africa, which sail to destinations in the Vanilla Islands, South Africa, and the Canary Islands.

AIDA last sailed in the Middle East during the 2024-25 winter, with cruises departing from Dubai onboard the AIDAprima.

The company was set to return to the region in 2025-26, but plans were cancelled in mid-2025 due to security concerns in the area.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, AIDA’s 2027-28 winter season will include over 300 cruises to a wide range of destinations.

While a return to the Middle East was not initially confirmed, the company announced itineraries to the Canary Islands, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, South America, the Indian Ocean and South Africa.

Among the highlights of the deployment are the debut of the AIDAprima in the Caribbean and a series of longer cruises to warmer destinations sailing roundtrip from Germany.

Departing from Hamburg, the itineraries take place onboard the AIDAmar and sail to the Azores, Morocco, South America, the Caribbean and more.