Explora Journeys has joined a roster of cruise lines changing course from the Middle East and sailing throughout the winter in the Mediterranean. MSC Cruises, and Windstar Cruises are also rerouting to sail in Europe and North Africa through the winter months as the closing of the Gulf of Hormuz continues with no end in sight.
EXPLORA II, which was previously planned to sail in the Middle East is now set to operate exclusively in the Mediterranean from November 2026 through March 2027. Explora says the decision was made to provide both guests and travel advisors with clarity and confidence as they plan future travel. All affected guests and advisor partners will be contacted directly, with support and alternative options provided where applicable.
Windstar is keeping to its newest ship, Star Explorer year-round in Europe. Accommodating just 224 guests, and launching in December 2026 her itineraries are dedicated to Europe, with an extensive lineup of journeys that include circumnavigating Ireland to discovering the Seven Gems of the Baltic.
These join MSC Cruises witch has ships sailing in Europe and North Africa through the winter months. One of them, MSC Euribia has been stranded in the Persian Gulf by the closing of the strait of Hormuz.
In another shift, MSC is redirecting MSC World Europa from the Gulf to the French Antilles in the winter. Originally scheduled to sail in the Middle East from November 2026 to April 2027, MSC World Europa will now operate 7- and 14- night itineraries with embarkations in Fort de France, Martinique, Pointe à Pitre, Guadeloupe or Bridgetown, Barbados for Caribbean cruises.
This deployment is especially significant for Canadian travellers, with MSC Cruises’ Fly & Cruise program making winter getaways simple by bundling flights and cruise into one streamlined booking – complete with 24/7 travel support, the line says. With convenient flights from major Canadian gateways, MSC World Europa’s new Southern Caribbean program offers easy access to the region and aligns with Canada’s strong demand for warm weather escapes.
MSC does add a ray of hope about a return to normalcy in the Gulf, It says MSC World Europa is still technically scheduled to return to the region for the Winter 2027/2028 season calling Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas, Bahrain and Doha.
And another line whose ships have been stuck in ports in the Persian Gulf is also still hopeful of a return to normalcy.
Celestyal Cruises whose two ships, Celestyal Journey and and Celestyal Discovery cancelled April 2026 cruises because they can’t get out of the Gulf and back to the Mediterranean is still taking booking for winter Desert Days cruises on the ships from Dubai and Doha in the winter of 2026 and 2027.
Fingers crossed.
Story by Wallace Immen, The Cruisington Times
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