With the Middle East conflict spreading at an epidemic rate, cruise lines are scrambling to avoid disruption and planning far ahead to steer clear of an epic storm.
Some were caught in the crosshairs. Three cruise ships in the United Arab Emirates cancelled upcoming sailings.
Celestyal Cruises’ Celestyal Discovery and MSC Cruises’ MSC Euribia are docked in Dubai sheltering guests who can’t get flights home.
Meanwhile, the Celestyal Journey is in Doha, Qatar and will stay there rather than sailing to Dubai. Guests booked on canceled sailings will receive a full refund or a future cruise credit, a spokesman said..
Meanwhile, even though Egypt has not been under attack, river cruises are pulling back on Nile cruises. Viking has cancelled its Nile cruises on multiple ships through the end of March. pulling back in the region. Avalon Waterways that operates on ship, the Farah, also ceased its Egypt operations for the month.
AmaWaterways still plans to continue its March river cruises as scheduled. Guests currently in Egypt expressed a strong desire to continue their cruise, the company said. But land extensions ito Jordan and Dubai have been cancelled.
Tauck has suspended its Egypt and Jordan land tours that also included Nile river cruise segments.
Cruises may be destined to be discontinued for the duration of the conflict. Industry reports say marine insurers are cancelling war risk coverage for oil tankers and cargo ships operating in the Persian Gulf which could also include cruise ships. The risk and the cost has already caused most cruise lines to steer far away from the Suez Canal, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean for the foreseeable future.
How long could this last? Some cruise lines are taking the Middle East off their maps as they plan years in the future.
Seabourn Cruises’ recently announced 120-day world cruise in 2028 is skipping Europe and Asia entirely. It sails Miami to Dover with much of the first two months devoted to South America, including Easter Island, Patagonia, five days of experiences in Antarctica and to days in the Falkland Islands. Then to South Africa and a comprehensive roster of ports on the west coast of Africa and to the Canary Islands. From there, up the coasts of Portugal and France to end in Dover n May 6, 2028.
Looking even further ahead, Crystal Cruises announced its 2029 world itinerary starts in Melbourne Australia and ends in Miami. Crystal Symphony’s 127-night cruise includes numerous firsts for Crystal, including a circumnavigation of Australia, and extended time in several marquee destinations. . The voyage continues to Komodo and Bali in Indonesia, as well as Waingapu (Sumba) and Kupang (West Timor). The month concludes with calls to Darwin, Cairns, Airlie Beach, Brisbane and Sydney.
The itinerary features 13 overnights, including Hanga Roa (Easter Island) and Ushuaia, and introduces new ports of call such as Exmouth for Ningaloo Reef, Australia; Robinson Crusoe Island; and Buzios, Brazil.
These cruise lines are promoting the unique opportunities the creative itineraries present. “The 2029 World Cruise charts a course unlike any we’ve sailed before — reimagining not only the destinations we visit, but the very route that connects them,” says Crystal Chairman and Brand Ambassador Fernando Barroso de Oliveira, who will return for his sixth World Cruise since the brand’s relaunch.
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