Cruises lines are now expecting the Persian Gulf is going to be a no-go zone for a long, long time.
Explora Journeys has just scratched 2028 Middle East itineraries for two of its ships. They join Norwegian Cruise Line, which cancelled its entire 2027–2028 Gulf season.
Other lines that re-routed away from planned the Persian Gulf and Suez Canal voyages in 2026 are now weighing their longer-term options as the conflicts keep erupting and passengers look for more predictable vacations.
Á shift to “quiet, atmospheric light and richer connections across the Mediterranean and Atlantic Islands” is how Explora characterizes its new itineraries for EXPLORA V, which was originally scheduled for an inaugural winter sailings from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from Jan through March of 2028.
And sister ship Explora I is shifting further away, with a shift from Jedda and Dubai round-trips to South America and Falkland Islands cruises in the winter from December 2027 to March 2028. “EXPLORA I takes full advantage of the Southern Hemisphere’s summer months, charting a course through the contrasting landscapes and natural wonders of Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, the Falkland Islands and Chile,” the company is explaining.
Norwegian Cruise Line cited both regional instability and shifting demand patdterns for cancelling has cancelled its entire 2027–2028 Middle East season. It marks major strategic shift for the line, which had previously positioned the Norwegian Epic for extended Middle Eastern deployments. Its ships are now doing alternative itineraries in the Western Mediterranean and the South Caribbean.
Celestyal Cruises which had featured the Middle East for winter itineraries now has its two ships Celestyal Journey and Celstyal Discovery sailing in the Mediterranean through 2028.
Costa Cruises has canceled its 2026-2027 winter season in the Middle East. Instead, Costa Smeralda will navigate weeklong sailings in between the Canary Islands, Spain, and Madeira, Portugal, and Costa Pacifica will deploy on weeklong and extended departures in the Mediterranean.
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 will start in Australia and end in Miami without ever getting near the Gulf. Crystal Symphony’s 127-night cruise includes numerous firsts for Crystal, including a circumnavigation of Australia.. 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.
Longer term, there are 2028 and 2029 world cruises on Cunard Line, MSC Cruises and Regent Seven Seas whose itineraries still include ports in the Gulf as well as transits through the Suez Canal as highlights. However, all the lines note they keep safety a top concern.
Brochures typically carry the caveat: “Itineraries remain subject to change due to regional security. “ Stay tuned.
Story by Wallace Immen, The Cruisington Times
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