Aroya Cruises Cancels Remaining 2026 Arabian Gulf Sailings

Aroya Cruises has suspended and effectively canceled the remainder of its 2026 Arabian Gulf season as escalating regional conflict and related operational constraints disrupt cruise operations across the Gulf. The Saudi-based cruise line said the decision affects voyages that had been scheduled to run into early May 2026.

A company spokesperson said the move was made “due to ongoing regional operational considerations and in coordination with the relevant maritime and national authorities,” adding that “the safety, security and comfort of our guests and crew remain our highest priority and continue to guide every operational decision we make.”

Guests disembarked in Dubai as the ship remains alongside

Aroya Cruises said all guests onboard were safely disembarked in Dubai on March 7, 2026, after itineraries in the region were halted in early March. The cruise line said its onboard team is assisting impacted travelers with guidance as they arrange onward travel.

In its customer communications, Aroya acknowledged the disruption for guests. Unlike larger rivals such as MSC Cruises, which arranged flights for stranded passengers during the disruption period, Aroya passengers were required to manage their travel arrangements with guidance from the cruise line’s support team.

The ship remains docked in Dubai “until further notice” while the company monitors conditions and continues coordinating with relevant authorities.

Airspace limits and route sensitivities complicate Gulf cruise operations

The suspension comes amid a broader disruption tied to escalating military conflict in Iran and neighboring areas, alongside heightened security concerns that have affected both maritime and air travel. Cruise lines operating Gulf itineraries have faced airspace limitations that complicate embarkation and disembarkation logistics and make passenger repatriation more difficult.

Maritime movements have also been affected by constraints and sensitivities around sailing routes out of the Gulf, including transits connected to the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow passage linking Gulf ports to open ocean routes. Aroya Cruises cited “regional operational considerations” and its coordination with national authorities in explaining its decision to stop sailing.

A debut Gulf season cut short after a late-February launch

The Arabian Gulf program was intended to be Aroya Cruises’ inaugural season in the region, following operations in the Red Sea. The line launched its Gulf deployment in February 2026 with a mix of two- to seven-night itineraries designed around multiple embarkation points, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dammam.

The inaugural seven-night sailing departed Dubai on February 21, 2026, calling at Khasab and Muscat in Oman, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates, and Doha in Qatar before returning to Dubai. The itineraries were built around prominent regional destinations such as Muscat, Doha, and Sir Bani Yas Island, and the season also included sailings tailored to Eid celebrations as part of the cruise line’s effort to align with local culture.

Aroya’s early Gulf operations emphasized passenger convenience through multiple embarkation ports, while port calls averaged around 12 hours, giving guests extended time ashore in each destination.

Other operators pause Gulf itineraries as ships berth in regional ports

Aroya Cruises is one of several operators to curtail or cancel planned operations in the region. The disruption has left multiple ships berthed at Gulf ports, including vessels in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, as operators await guidance and evaluate security conditions.

• Celestyal Cruises canceled sailings scheduled for March 20 and March 23 for Celestyal Discovery and said it was finalizing operational arrangements for repositioning ahead of its Mediterranean season from Athens.
• TUI Cruises canceled a set of departures for Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 in early March and has been organizing return travel for passengers amid limited flight options.
• MSC Cruises canceled a scheduled regional departure for MSC Euribia and has kept the ship docked in Dubai while reviewing operations in the region.

During the disruption, passengers on some ships were reported to have disembarked, while others remained onboard under enhanced safety protocols as operators worked through evolving travel and routing constraints.

What Aroya has said about upcoming Red Sea and Mediterranean plans

With the Gulf season halted, attention has shifted to Aroya’s previously published schedule beyond the Arabian Gulf. The company has said the ship is expected to remain in Dubai until it is deemed safe to continue operations, with plans for the vessel to move to Jeddah in May 2026 ahead of further itineraries tied to the Red Sea and a summer deployment in the Eastern Mediterranean.

For the summer season, Aroya is scheduled to homeport in Istanbul for a series of seven-night sailings that include destinations in Turkey, Greece, and Egypt starting in early June. The cruise line has not provided a timeline for any return to Arabian Gulf operations and has not detailed near-term changes, if any, to its deployments beyond the Gulf suspension in the statements available.

Brand ambitions and the ship’s background

Before the season was cut short, Cruise Saudi CEO and interim president of Aroya Cruises Lars Clasen described the start of the Gulf program as a “pivotal milestone” for the brand’s regional ambitions. He said the company aimed to connect Red Sea, Eastern Mediterranean, and Arabian Gulf cruising around an “authentically Arabian experience.”

Aroya Cruises introduced the ship to service after a major refurbishment completed before the brand’s launch operations in late 2024. The vessel was originally built at Meyer Werft and entered service in 2016 following an order placed by Genting Hong Kong.

The disruption is also a test for the Saudi cruise sector’s broader growth push, which has been developing since 2023 and has expanded from initial Red Sea itineraries into additional regional and seasonal deployments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are Aroya Cruises’ Arabian Gulf sailings canceled for the rest of the 2026 season?

Yes. Aroya Cruises said it will not operate its remaining Arabian Gulf departures, which had been scheduled to run into early May 2026.

Where is the ship now, and what happened to guests onboard?

The ship is alongside in Dubai. Aroya Cruises said all guests onboard were safely disembarked in Dubai on March 7, 2026, after Gulf itineraries were halted in early March.

How can impacted guests contact Aroya Cruises for updates?

Aroya Cruises directed guests seeking updates to contact its support team at [email protected]. The cruise line has also said its onboard team is providing guidance to guests arranging onward travel.

What is Aroya’s planned schedule after the Gulf suspension?

Based on the cruise line’s previously published plans referenced in its statements, the ship is expected to remain in Dubai until further notice, then relocate to Jeddah in May 2026 ahead of additional Red Sea-related itineraries and a summer season in the Eastern Mediterranean. For summer 2026, Aroya is scheduled to homeport in Istanbul for seven-night sailings that include ports in Turkey, Greece, and Egypt starting in early June.