With global conflicts seemingly never-ending, more cruise lines are shifting winter itineraries away from the Middle East and Africa to offer guests the security of Europe. And they’re seeing strong bookings because despite the cooler temperatures, the off-season promises a relief from tourist crowds.
The shift is backed up by findings from insurance company Global Rescue. Their new Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey found nearly three-quarters of travelers say they are avoiding countries in the Middle East adjacent to Israel, Syria and Iran. Pakistan follows at 50 per cent, along with African nations near conflict zones such as Sudan, Libya and Somalia. Central European countries bordering Russia and Ukraine are also widely avoided.
Celestyal Cruises whose ships were caught in the closing of the Hormuz Strait confirmed it ‘s cancelling an Arabian Gulf season for winter 2026-27. Instead, it will extend its current Eastern Mediterranean season with additional sailings across its two-ship fleet.
The 1,360-guest Celestyal Discovery will offer two additional Iconic Greek Islands sailings in November 2026,and four more in March 2027. The 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey will add four March 2027 departures, featuring two Heavenly Greece, Italy and Croatia sailings and two Idyllic Greece sailings which visit the popular and hidden gem Greek islands.
Celestyal will also introduce a new Western Mediterranean itinerary for winter 2026-27 and winter 2027-28 on Celestyal Discovery. Further details, including full itineraries and pricing, will be released soon, with the new sailings scheduled to go on sale starting June 15.
Meanwhile, MSC World Asia, MSC Cruises biggest and newest ship will join a number of fleetmates staying in the Med this winter. They including MSC Euribia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Orchestra and MSC Magnifica.
The seven-night cruises from Barcelona, Genoa, Rome, and Split Croatia include ports in Italy Greece, Egypt, Spain and Morocco at fares that start at less than $100 a night. Destinations include Barcelona, Marseille, Messina, Civitavecchia for Rome, Naples and Valletta.
MSC’s boutique brand Explora Journeys is also offering A Mediterranean Winter season on Explora II that features choices of 46 destinations across 10 countries, including Spain, Morocco, Portugal, France, Italy, Malta, Greece and Gibraltar.
This new interest in European winter cruises also has Holland America Cruises shifting Nieuw Statendam from the Caribbean to Europe year-round and adding winter itineraries for Zuiderdam.
The expanded winter season includes a dozen cruises aboard Nieuw Statendam across the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, adding more than 70 additional port days, giving guests more time in port along with extended stays and fewer crowds.
“Expanding to year-round Europe allows us to showcase a completely different side of the destination—one that is quieter, more immersive and deeply seasonal,” said Paul Grigsby, vice-president of deployment and itinerary planning for Holland America.
Even if conflicts elsewhere cool, winter cruising in the Med appears likely to continue to be a hot prospect.
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