Cruise Lines Cancel 2025-26 Arabian Gulf Winter Seasons

Several cruise operators have scaled back or ended their Arabian Gulf programs for the 2025-26 winter season, citing security-related concerns and operational challenges that have disrupted sailing schedules in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf destinations.

Arabian Gulf winter seasons reduced as operators cite safety and operational constraints

Across a series of updates, cruise lines pointed to guest and crew safety, evolving regional conditions, and guidance from official bodies as key factors behind the cancellations. The changes affect multiple brands and ships, with some suspensions extending into March 2026 and forcing additional schedule and repositioning adjustments.

MSC Cruises cancelled the remainder of its 2025-26 Middle East season, saying it was prioritizing the safety and well-being of guests and crew and acting in line with guidance from regional military authorities. The MSC Euribia had been scheduled to operate five additional Arabian Gulf departures, with itineraries calling in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.

TUI Cruises also withdrew Arabian Gulf sailings for two ships, linking the decision to travel and safety guidance issued by the German Foreign Office.

• Mein Schiff 4: cruises cancelled through March 23, 2026
• Mein Schiff 5: cruises cancelled through March 12, 2026

Celestyal Cruises cancelled the balance of its Arabian Gulf season as well, with Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery remaining in the region at the time of the update, adding complexity to operational planning. As a result, Celestyal also cancelled the first sailings of its Eastern Mediterranean season while it finalized arrangements connected to repositioning voyages back to Europe.

Aroya Cruises cancelled all upcoming cruises planned for its 2025-26 Arabian Gulf season, tying the decision to continued regional operational considerations and saying it was made in coordination with maritime and national authorities. Aroya had been scheduled to sail in the region into early May after arriving in the UAE in late February.

Costa and AIDA removed Gulf deployments earlier, reshaping ship plans

Carnival Corporation brands Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises had already cancelled their planned 2025-26 Arabian Gulf winter seasons in mid-2025. The programs were set for the November 2025 to March 2026 window, with Costa Toscana and AIDAprima assigned to the region.

In Costa’s case, the decision shifted the immediate plans for Costa Toscana, an LNG-powered ship with a stated capacity of 5,224 passengers. Costa had originally slated the vessel for a Middle East winter season offering seven-night itineraries to destinations in the UAE, Qatar and Oman, but reversed course in July 2025, citing uncertainty and security concerns and redeploying the ship to the Western Mediterranean and North Africa.

Costa Toscana returns from drydock and expands Western Mediterranean options

Costa Toscana resumed guest operations on February 15, 2026 following a two-week drydock at the Chantier Naval de Marseille shipyard in France that was completed in mid-February. Costa said the project was part of the ship’s regular maintenance schedule and included routine work, technical updates and class inspections.

After the shipyard stay, Costa Toscana returned to a series of weeklong Western Mediterranean cruises to Spain, France and Italy from multiple homeports. Under Costa’s current published plan, the ship is set to operate in the Western Mediterranean year-round through November 2027.

A core itinerary includes calls such as Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa and Naples, with a visit to Sardinia’s Cagliari, plus Civitavecchia (gateway for Rome). Beginning in May 2026, Costa Toscana is scheduled to introduce a different seven-night program that adds North Africa and Sicily, calling at Palermo and La Goulette while maintaining visits to Civitavecchia, Savona, Barcelona and Marseille.

Near-term outlook for Gulf capacity and redeployments

The combined cancellations significantly reduce cruise capacity in the Arabian Gulf for the remainder of the 2025-26 winter period, with some operators’ suspensions extending into March 2026 and at least one brand describing added difficulty related to ship positioning.

Looking further ahead, Costa has indicated it intends to return to the region in 2026-27 with a winter season aboard Costa Smeralda. In the meantime, Costa Toscana is expected to remain in the Western Mediterranean on alternating seven-night itineraries as operators continue to finalize redeployment and schedule adjustments linked to the cancelled Gulf operations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which cruise ships have had Arabian Gulf sailings cancelled for the 2025-26 winter season?

The affected ships include MSC Euribia, Celestyal Journey, Celestyal Discovery, Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5, along with vessels assigned to Aroya’s cancelled program. Costa Toscana and AIDAprima were also removed from planned Gulf seasons earlier in 2025.

How far into 2026 do the cancellations extend?

TUI Cruises cancelled Mein Schiff 4 sailings through March 23, 2026, and Mein Schiff 5 sailings through March 12, 2026. MSC Cruises cancelled five remaining MSC Euribia departures, while other operators ended their seasons ahead of previously planned end dates.

When does Costa Toscana operate its new North Africa itinerary?

The new itinerary begins in May 2026 and adds Palermo in Sicily and La Goulette in Tunisia alongside calls that include Barcelona, Marseille, Civitavecchia and Savona.

Is Costa planning to return to the Arabian Gulf after the 2025-26 cancellations?

Yes. Costa has indicated it plans a 2026-27 winter season in the region aboard Costa Smeralda.