With the Strait of Hormuz still deemed unsafe for international maritime traffic, six cruise ships have been stuck in the Arabian Gulf since late February.
With itineraries planned in Europe and the Red Sea and uncertain dates for repositioning voyages, the vessels are expected to resume service in early May should they be able to leave the area soon.
MSC Euribia
Cruise Line: MSC Cruises
Current Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Next Scheduled Cruise Departure: May 2, 2026, from Kiel, Germany
Upcoming Itineraries: Northern Europe and Scandinavia
The MSC Euribia remains docked at the Port of Dubai after having the remainder of its season in the Arabian Gulf cancelled in early March.
Set to spend the summer offering cruises to the Norwegian Fjords, the 5,400-guest vessel is expected to welcome guests back in Northern Europe on May 2, 2026.
Celestyal Journey
Cruise Line: Celestyal Cruises
Current Location: Doha, Qatar
Next Scheduled Cruise Departure: May 2, 2026, from Piraeus, Greece
Upcoming Itineraries: Eastern Mediterranean and the Greek Islands
Unable to confirm a date for the ship’s return to Europe, Celestyal recently cancelled all of the sailings scheduled for the Journey in the Mediterranean through the end of April.
The 1,260-passenger ship is now scheduled to welcome guests back in Greece on May 2, 2026, kicking off itineraries to the Greek Islands and the Adriatic.
Celestyal Discovery
Cruise Line: Celestyal Cruises
Current Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Next Scheduled Cruise Departure: May 1, 2026, from Lavrion, Greece
Upcoming Itineraries: Eastern Mediterranean and the Greek Islands
The Celestyal Discovery also had all of its itineraries in the Eastern Mediterranean cancelled through the end of April.
In a recent statement, Celestyal said it has been unable to start the ship’s repositioning back to Europe as intended. The Discovery is now expected to welcome guests back in Greece on May 1, 2026.
Mein Schiff 4
Cruise Line: TUI Cruises
Current Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Next Scheduled Cruise Departure: May 1, 2026, from Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Upcoming Itineraries: Western Mediterranean, Adriatic, Croatia and Greece
Currently docked in Abu Dhabi, the Mein Schiff 4 recently had its repositioning cruise to the Mediterranean via Africa cancelled.
According to its published schedule, the TUI Cruises vessel is now scheduled to resume service on May 1, 2026, in Spain, kicking off a summer deployment in the Mediterranean.
Mein Schiff 5
Cruise Line: TUI Cruises
Current Location: Doha, Qatar
Next Scheduled Cruise Departure: May 1, 2026, from Heraklion, Greece
Upcoming Itineraries: Eastern Mediterranean, Greek Islands and Turkey
A second vessel from TUI Cruises, the Mein Schiff 5, is also stranded in the Arabian Gulf after having the remainder of its season in the region cancelled in early March.
Set to spend the summer season in the Eastern Mediterranean, the 97,000-ton ship is currently expected to welcome guests back in Greece on May 1, 2026.
Aroya
Cruise Line: Aroya Cruises
Current Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Next Scheduled Cruise Departure: May 14, 2026, from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Upcoming Itineraries: Spring Season in the Red Sea followed by summer in the Eastern Mediterranean
The Aroya had just completed its first cruise in the Arabian Gulf when the remainder of its season in the region was cancelled in early March.
Initially set to operate cruises from Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Qatar through May, the Saudi-based ship is now scheduled to welcome guests back for a spring season in the Red Sea on May 14, 2026.
