Celestyal Cancels Remaining March Arabian Gulf Cruises Amid Tensions

Celestyal Cruises has cancelled its remaining Arabian Gulf departures on Celestyal Journey and also pulled two early-season sailings from Athens on Celestyal Discovery as the security situation in the Middle East continues to disrupt cruise operations. The line said affected guests can choose a full refund or a future cruise credit.

The cancellations are part of a wider wave of itinerary changes tied to regional conflict and safety concerns, with operators including MSC Cruises, TUI Cruises, and Saudi Arabia’s Aroya Cruises also announcing disruptions to their Gulf programs for the 2025-26 season.

Celestyal’s March cancellations: Arabian Gulf and two Athens departures

Celestyal cancelled four remaining Arabian Gulf departures on Celestyal Journey that were scheduled for March, two set to depart from Doha on March 7 and March 14, and two from Dubai on March 9 and March 16.

The cancelled itineraries were 7-night “Desert Days” cruises, scheduled to include regional calls such as Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Bahrain, alongside Doha and Dubai.

In its public update, the cruise line linked the move to regional conditions, stating: “Considering the current geopolitical situation in the region, we have taken the decision to cancel the remaining Arabian Gulf departures on Celestyal Journey.” In a separate statement, the company also said: “Given the current geopolitical situation, we have taken the difficult decision to suspend operations in the region and reposition our vessels to the Mediterranean.”

Celestyal also cancelled two short “Iconic Aegean” cruises onboard Celestyal Discovery that had been scheduled to sail roundtrip from Athens on March 20 (three nights) and March 23 (four nights). The company said it is “finalizing operational arrangements for the ship’s repositioning to the Mediterranean ahead of the summer season.”

Disembarkation status and options for booked guests

Celestyal said all guests had disembarked Celestyal Discovery in Dubai. For Celestyal Journey, which was alongside in Doha, the company said the last remaining guests were expected to disembark within 24 hours of its update, and it has separately said remaining guests onboard would disembark by March 7.

For all impacted departures on Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery, Celestyal said guests are being offered a choice between a full refund and a future cruise credit. The line advised travelers to work through their original booking channel, such as their travel agency or travel provider, to process the selected option.

Celestyal added that both ships are “fully operational and ready to sail,” with departures from the region expected once approved by the relevant authorities.

How the cancellations affect Celestyal’s Mediterranean restart

Celestyal’s two-ship fleet typically shifts seasonally between winter Arabian Gulf deployments and summer sailings in the Mediterranean. With the Gulf season ending early, the company’s near-term Mediterranean program depends on when both ships can safely depart the region and complete their repositioning voyages to Greece.

Celestyal Journey’s next scheduled cruise is an April 4 departure from Athens on a 7-night “Heavenly Adriatic” itinerary, with planned calls in Greece as well as Dubrovnik, Croatia, Kotor, Montenegro, and Bari, Italy.

After the March 20 and March 23 Athens cancellations, Celestyal Discovery’s next listed departure is March 27 for a short Greek Islands cruise, also planned roundtrip from Athens. The cruise line has said timing is subject to operational conditions and required approvals for the ship’s departure from the Gulf.

Other operators cancel or suspend Arabian Gulf sailings

Other cruise lines have also announced itinerary changes or season suspensions as the conflict escalates.

• MSC Cruises: The company cancelled three 7-night sailings aboard MSC Euribia that had been scheduled to depart on March 14, March 21, and March 28. The ship is docked at Dubai Port, where passengers have been allowed ashore but advised to remain in secure areas, and the company’s repatriation plans are underway in coordination with embassies and military authorities.
• TUI Cruises: The operator cancelled scheduled voyages in the region through March 23, 2026, on Mein Schiff 4 and through March 12, 2026, on Mein Schiff 5. Passengers onboard have been instructed to remain sheltered onboard as arrangements for repatriation are finalized, with coordinated flights from Qatar and the UAE being managed for affected travelers.
• Aroya Cruises: Saudi Arabia’s Aroya Cruises announced the immediate suspension of its Arabian Gulf 2025-26 season. Its flagship Aroya Manara, alongside in Dubai, had been set to offer voyages through May 2026, visiting destinations including Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Doha, and Sir Bani Yas Island. Management cited “ongoing operational challenges and coordination with authorities,” and the company said passengers would be offered full refunds or the option to rebook future itineraries.

Regional constraints, including the Strait of Hormuz

Cruise lines have pointed to operational constraints tied to the security environment and maritime movements in and out of the Arabian Gulf. Transits out of the Gulf commonly require passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and the Strait of Hormuz has been described as closed amid the heightened conflict, adding logistical complexity for ship repositioning, repatriation, and the scheduling of future sailings.

Celestyal has not provided a specific sailing time for either ship’s departure from the region, saying movements will proceed once cleared by authorities, while the company continues to monitor developments and remain in regular contact with relevant officials.

Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery: ship details

Celestyal Journey is a 55,800-gross-ton ship with capacity for about 1,258 guests and roughly 600 crew members. The vessel previously sailed as Ryndam and underwent a $21 million renovation before entering service with Celestyal in 2023.

Celestyal Discovery also joined the line in 2023 after previously operating as AIDAaura, and is listed as accommodating approximately 1,360 guests.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which Celestyal cruises were cancelled?

Celestyal cancelled four 7-night “Desert Days” Arabian Gulf departures on Celestyal Journey (March 7 and March 14 from Doha, and March 9 and March 16 from Dubai) and two Athens-based “Iconic Aegean” cruises on Celestyal Discovery (March 20 and March 23), which had been scheduled as three-night and four-night roundtrip sailings from Athens.

What are guests being offered for the cancelled sailings?

For impacted Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery departures, guests are being offered a choice between a full refund and a future cruise credit. Celestyal advised guests to contact their original booking channel, such as the travel agency or travel provider used for the reservation, to process their selected option.

Where are Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery currently located?

Celestyal said Celestyal Discovery’s guests disembarked in Dubai. Celestyal Journey was alongside in Doha, with remaining guests expected to disembark shortly after the company’s update, and the line has also said remaining guests onboard would disembark by March 7.

What is the status of the Strait of Hormuz?

The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for vessels transiting out of the Arabian Gulf, has been described as closed due to the regional conflict, complicating maritime movements and ship repositioning.

For Celestyal, the next advertised Mediterranean departures include Celestyal Discovery’s March 27 sailing from Athens and Celestyal Journey’s April 4 departure from Athens, with timing dependent on when the ships are cleared to depart the region and complete their repositioning voyages.