Celestyal Cancels All April 2026 Cruises as Hormuz Remains Shut

Celestyal Cruises has cancelled all sailings scheduled for April 2026 as its two ships remain unable to reposition from the Arabian Gulf to the Mediterranean amid the ongoing situation in the Middle East. The cancellations affect Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey, which are currently docked in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Doha, Qatar, respectively.

Celestyal Chief Commercial Officer Lee Haslett said the decision was driven by safety considerations for guests and crew. “Our priority remains the safety and confidence of our guests, crew, and partners,” Haslett said, adding that acting now “provides greater clarity and flexibility” for those impacted.

What was cancelled and how the disruption unfolded

Celestyal confirmed that every April 2026 departure for both ships will no longer operate, cancelling 11 cruises across the two-vessel fleet during the month. The April cancellations follow earlier itinerary changes tied to the same disruption, including postponed starts to Celestyal Discovery’s spring program in Greece.

Among the sailings previously called off were departures planned for March 20, March 23, March 27, and March 30, 2026, along with additional early-April departures that were originally scheduled to operate from the Athens area. Celestyal’s winter 2025-26 Arabian Gulf season, which began in late 2025 with voyages departing from hubs such as Dubai and Doha, was significantly disrupted beginning in February 2026, and the company ensured the safe disembarkation of all passengers by early March.

Why Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey are still in the Gulf

Celestyal has tied the continuing disruption to the conflict in the region and the associated operational restrictions, including the Strait of Hormuz remaining unsafe for passage. Both ships were expected to traverse the strait on their way back to Europe, but the passage is currently closed to international traffic, delaying the start of the repositioning voyage to Greece.

The company has said both vessels remain fully operational and that movements will take place only once authorities allow and in line with official guidance. Celestyal Chief Executive Officer Chris Theophilides said the April cancellations were a precaution while the ships remain unable to start their return to Europe: “Acting now allows us to provide clarity,” he said, adding that it gives guests and travel partners more time to adjust plans.

According to Celestyal, the planned repositioning to Athens involves a 4,400-mile route that would require safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Suez Canal, followed by crew restaffing and provisioning ahead of the Mediterranean season.

May restart dates and the Mediterranean itineraries Celestyal is planning

With April now fully cancelled, Celestyal’s next planned departures are in early May, subject to the ships being able to leave the region under the guidance of relevant authorities. Celestyal Discovery is slated to begin operations in the Greek Islands on May 1, 2026, while Celestyal Journey is scheduled to kick off its Adriatic itineraries on May 2, 2026.

Celestyal Discovery is next scheduled to depart on May 1 on a three-night Iconic Greek Islands cruise. The ship’s short Greek Islands and nearby Turkey program includes calls commonly listed as Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Heraklion, and Santorini, and Celestyal has also described its Greek Islands plans as three- to four-night itineraries that include stops at Mykonos, Santorini, and Kusadasi.

Celestyal Journey is next scheduled to depart on May 2 on a seven-night Heavenly Greece, Italy and Croatia cruise, marking the anticipated return of the ship’s longer Mediterranean and Adriatic itineraries. Celestyal has also described the ship’s summer plans as longer Adriatic voyages to destinations such as Croatia, Montenegro, and Italy.

What Celestyal is offering guests for the cancelled sailings

Celestyal said all guests and non-operational crew have disembarked from the ships. For travelers affected by the cancelled April sailings, the company is offering standard options and directing guests to work through their original booking channels.

• Guests can choose either a full refund or a future cruise credit, depending on their preference.
• Passengers are being asked to contact their original travel provider to review rebooking or refund options and complete next steps.
• Celestyal said its teams are supporting guests and travel partners with rebooking and transition arrangements while preparations continue for a return to service.

Haslett said the cruise line is working “closely with guests and travel partners to support rebooking options and ensure a smooth transition,” as the company continues to monitor conditions that would allow the ships to depart.

Other cruise lines have also altered Gulf operations

Celestyal is not the only operator to face Gulf disruptions tied to the conflict. Other cruise lines, including MSC Cruises, TUI Cruises, and Saudi Arabia-based Aroya Cruises, have also cancelled itineraries in the Arabian Gulf.

MSC Euribia has been docked in Dubai since late February, cancelled the remainder of its season, and is expected to resume operations in Northern Europe by May. TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 have similarly remained in Abu Dhabi and Doha, respectively, with suspended schedules. Aroya Cruises cancelled its inaugural season in the region and plans to shift operations to the Red Sea and Eastern Mediterranean by mid-May.

Celestyal has said its immediate focus remains on repositioning to Greece as soon as it is safe and permitted, ahead of the planned May 1 return for Celestyal Discovery and May 2 return for Celestyal Journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did Celestyal Cruises cancel its April 2026 itineraries?

Celestyal said the ongoing Middle East conflict and related operational restrictions have left the Strait of Hormuz unsafe for transit, preventing Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey from repositioning to the Mediterranean.

Are all Celestyal cruises in April 2026 cancelled, and how many sailings does that include?

Yes. Celestyal confirmed that every April 2026 departure for both ships has been cancelled, a total of 11 cruises across Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey.

Where are Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey currently located?

Celestyal Discovery is docked in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Celestyal Journey is docked in Doha, Qatar, while the cruise line awaits clearance to begin the voyage back to Greece.

What options are available to passengers impacted by the cancellations?

Celestyal said affected guests can choose a full refund or a future cruise credit. Passengers are being advised to contact their original travel provider to arrange the preferred option and discuss any rebooking support.

When are the ships currently scheduled to restart Mediterranean cruises?

Celestyal Discovery is scheduled to sail May 1, 2026, and Celestyal Journey is scheduled to sail May 2, 2026, subject to the ships being able to depart the region under the guidance of relevant authorities.

“We sincerely thank our guests and valued partners for their patience and understanding,” Haslett said, as the company continues preparations for the May restart while monitoring regional developments.