Two cruise lines have now cancelled their planned deployments in the Arabian Gulf and the Middle East in 2027-28.
Cruise Industry News looks into the status of the operations for the winter season in the region, which is still facing uncertainty and security concerns.
AIDA
AIDA Cruises became the latest brand to cancel its plans in the region for the 2027-28 season, cancelling its program in late June.
The German brand was planning to operate a full season in the Arabian Gulf, with the AIDAperla offering itineraries to the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Bahrain.
AIDA said that the cancellation was made to offer planning security to guests and sales partners, as the situation in the Middle East cannot be reliably assessed.
Instead of sailing in the region, the AIDAperla will now offer cruises to Northern Europe and the Canary Islands in 2027-28.
Celestyal
Celestyal cancelled all of its future planned operations in the Arabian Gulf in late May, mentioning a decision to “focus on strengthening its authentically Mediterranean offerings.”
The company’s two-ship fleet was scheduled to offer itineraries to destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas and Qatar in both the 2026-27 and 2027-28 winter seasons.
The company is now adding new itineraries in the Western Mediterranean, in addition to extending its operations in the Aegean, Adriatic and the Greek Islands.
Celestyal also said that a new deployment for the Celestyal Journey in 2027-28 will be revealed at a later date.MSC
MSC Cruises is currently planning to return to the Arabian Gulf with one of the largest ships of its fleet, the MSC World Europa.
According to published deployment, the 5,400-passenger ship is scheduled to offer itineraries from Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi between December 2027 and April 2028.
Explora
Explora Journeys is set to offer itineraries in the Middle East in 2027-28, with the Explora I marking the brand’s debut in the Arabian Gulf.
The luxury brand of the MSC Cruises Group is planning a series of seven- to 15-night cruises from Dubai from December 2027 to February 2028.
Costa, TUI and Aroya
Other players in the market, including Costa, TUI and Aroya, haven’t announced their final plans for the 2027-28 winter season at press time.
Costa was originally planning to return to the region in 2026-27 but later cancelled the deployment in favor of increasing capacity in the Canaries. Costa has traditionally had one of the larger Arabian Gulf programs.
TUI Cruises also hasn’t announced its full season plan for the Mein Schiff fleet during the 2027-28 winter season.
The German company cancelled its 2026-27 plans for the region in April, opting to increase capacity in Northern Europe and the Canaries.
Aroya Cruises is currently the only company that hasn’t cancelled its itineraries in the Arabian Gulf in 2026-27.
After debuting in the region in February, the Saudi-based brand plans to offer seven-night cruises to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman between January and March 2027.
With deployment plans published through late 2027, the company hasn’t revealed all of its plans for the winter 2027-28.
Other Brands
Other brands are scheduled to visit the Arabian Gulf in 2027-28 for transit calls or single voyages, including Oceania Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Crystal Cruises. No changes to the brands’ plans have been announced at press time.
