MSC Cancels Euribia’s Arabian Gulf Winter Sailings, Keeps Ship in Dubai

MSC Cruises has suspended the remainder of its winter Arabian Gulf program for MSC Euribia, keeping the ship docked in Dubai as military tensions around Iran trigger airspace restrictions and disrupt regional port operations.

The decision affects late-February and March 2026 departures and has left thousands of travelers managing interrupted vacations and complicated return travel while cruise lines and authorities work through fast-changing security conditions.

MSC Euribia held in Dubai as winter sailings are canceled

MSC Euribia, a Meraviglia-Plus-class ship of about 183,500 gross tons with capacity for up to 6,327 guests, arrived in Dubai on February 27, 2026, and has remained alongside at Port Rashid. The ship had been scheduled to depart on February 28 for Doha, Qatar, but MSC tied its operational pause to the rapidly changing security environment and to restrictions created by closed or limited airspace across parts of the Middle East.

In an official statement, MSC Cruises said: “Due to the current situation and the air space closure in the Middle East region, we are currently monitoring and reviewing all our operations in the region, and we are in constant contact with the local and national authorities and relevant partners.” The company added that its “focus is the safety and security of our guests and crew.”

Operational challenges have extended beyond flight availability. MSC has also cited port access issues, including Doha’s closure to vessels as the conflict intensified, complicating the normal flow of embarkation and disembarkation that depends on steady flight connections.

Which departures were affected, and what booked guests are being offered

MSC began canceling individual departures as conditions deteriorated, including sailings scheduled to depart from Dubai on February 28 and March 7, 2026. The list expanded in early March, culminating in the cancellation of the ship’s remaining winter season sailings from Dubai, including three seven-night departures on March 14, March 21, and March 28, 2026.

MSC has told affected guests they will receive full refunds of cruise fares for canceled sailings. The cruise line also said certain costs arranged outside the company, such as independently booked flights or hotels, are not covered through the cruise refund and must be pursued with the original providers.

Onboard situation in Dubai: shore access, services, and passenger accounts

For guests already onboard, MSC has kept the ship in Dubai while coordinating next steps with authorities and travel partners. Guests have been permitted to go ashore in a limited capacity, but MSC has advised passengers to remain close to the cruise terminal area, and shore excursions have been canceled with refunds issued.

MSC has also said it is providing free Wi-Fi so guests can stay in contact with family and manage travel changes. In one update, the cruise line said, “The situation on board remains calm,” adding that guests have access to onboard services while onward travel is arranged.

Some passengers described witnessing regional activity from the ship. Lesley Ballantyne, a passenger from Scotland, told CNN Travel: “We’ve heard some loud bangs, seen some missiles being intercepted from the ship but it all seems in the distance.” Another passenger, Sharon Cockram, told CNN, “Never, never, ever did we think we’d get caught up in something like this.”

Repatriation effort: airlines, charters, and government coordination

With airspace closures and reduced flight schedules limiting commercial options, MSC has been working to send guests home in stages, coordinating with airlines, local authorities, and diplomatic contacts as seats become available.

MSC Cruises said: “MSC Cruises is working continuously with airline partners in the region, particularly Emirates and Etihad Airways, to identify and secure return flights for our guests.” The cruise line said it requested priority treatment for cruise guests while acknowledging airline guidance that available seats are being assigned based on travelers’ original flight dates.

MSC has also explored charter options from multiple regional airports, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Muscat, and said it is coordinating with diplomatic officials, including embassies and foreign offices. By March 6, 2026, MSC said it had arranged flights home for more than 1,500 guests, with seven flights having already departed, using a mix of commercial seats, charter flights organized at MSC’s expense, and places on government-organized flights.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, said: “Our Ship Command and crew have worked tirelessly to ensure our guests are well cared for and our teams across the globe have worked round the clock to get our guests home safely and in a timely manner.” Vago also highlighted cooperation from regional partners and officials, saying MSC received “unparalleled support” from Emirates and from governments assisting with operational logistics and required authorizations.

Disruptions extend beyond one ship as maritime routes tighten

The cruise disruption has unfolded amid broader aviation and maritime instability in the Arabian Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz, a key route for commercial and passenger shipping, has been affected by heightened risk conditions and operational restrictions, limiting vessels’ ability to reposition to alternative destinations. Story accounts also cited missile and drone interceptions over the UAE as contributing to airline schedule instability and temporary flight suspensions on some routes.

Other cruise ships have also remained in ports such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. Celestyal Cruises has had two ships affected, with Celestyal Journey in Doha and Celestyal Discovery in Dubai. TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4 has been berthed in Abu Dhabi and Mein Schiff 5 in Doha. Aroya Cruises, operating Aroya Manara, has warned of potential itinerary changes for its Arabian Gulf operations.

Separately, Carnival Corporation-owned AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises had preemptively withdrawn from the Middle East for the 2025/26 winter season, citing security concerns.

What’s next for MSC Euribia’s deployment

MSC has said the winter-season pause does not automatically change the ship’s published plans outside the region, though the vessel is expected to remain in Dubai until the company determines it is safe and operationally feasible to move guests onward and reposition for its next season.

• May 2, 2026 (scheduled): MSC Euribia is due to begin its European summer program with a departure from Kiel, Germany, on seven-night Northern Europe itineraries calling at Norwegian ports including Hellesylt, Ålesund, Geiranger, and Flåm.
• October 10, 2026 (scheduled): The ship is set to shift to Barcelona for Mediterranean sailings running into early April 2027, with itineraries that include Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Palermo, and Tunis.
• Middle East return: MSC Euribia is not currently planned to return to Middle East itineraries through at least December 2027, and MSC has indicated regional operations are unlikely to resume before late 2027.

MSC has said it continues monitoring developments and coordinating with authorities and airline partners as it finalizes travel for remaining guests.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Will MSC Cruises refund cancelled MSC Euribia Arabian Gulf cruises?

Yes. MSC has told affected guests they will receive full refunds of cruise fares for cancelled sailings.

Will MSC reimburse flights and hotels booked independently for the cancelled cruises?

MSC has said costs outside the cruise line, such as independently arranged airfare and hotels, are not included in the cruise refund and must be handled with the original providers.

Where is MSC Euribia currently located, and can guests go ashore?

MSC Euribia has been docked at Port Rashid in Dubai since February 27, 2026. Guests have been allowed ashore in a limited capacity, but MSC has recommended staying within the cruise terminal area, and shore excursions have been canceled with refunds issued.

How is MSC arranging flights home for impacted passengers?

MSC says it is coordinating with airline partners, particularly Emirates and Etihad Airways, exploring charter options from regional airports including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Muscat, and working with authorities, embassies, and foreign offices. By March 6, 2026, MSC said it had arranged flights home for more than 1,500 guests and that seven flights had already departed.

When could MSC Euribia return to Middle East itineraries?

MSC has indicated future Middle East operations for MSC Euribia are unlikely before late 2027, and the ship is not currently planned to return to Middle East itineraries through at least December 2027.