Nicko Cruises Reroutes Vasco da Gama, Drops Dubai for Mauritius

Nicko Cruises has revised parts of the Vasco da Gama 2025-26 world cruise itinerary amid security concerns linked to the Middle East and the Red Sea region, including removing Dubai as the endpoint for a March 2026 segment. Reports from Schiff und Kreuzfahrten said the ship is now expected to end that portion of the voyage in Port Louis, Mauritius, with a return to the published schedule anticipated in Málaga, Spain, on April 17, 2026.

Security-driven rerouting on the 2025-26 world cruise

According to Schiff und Kreuzfahrten, the changes affect the leg that began in Indonesia in late February and was scheduled to conclude in Dubai on March 20, 2026. That segment is part of Nicko’s 175-night world cruise, which departed Hamburg, Germany, on November 7, 2025.

With the ship now expected to be in Mauritius, the onward routing that had been planned to begin in Dubai and continue through the Suez Canal toward Greece is also expected to change significantly. Schiff und Kreuzfahrten indicated the ship is anticipated to continue through the Indian Ocean and then sail around Africa en route to Europe.

Additional adjustments were also expected for a later Greece-to-Spain portion of the itinerary, although Schiff und Kreuzfahrten did not detail the specific, port-by-port revisions for that segment.

Passenger logistics tied to earlier Red Sea contingency planning

Before the latest routing changes were reported, Cruise Industry News said Nicko had prepared an alternative approach to manage Red Sea transit risk for passengers on the UAE-to-Greece portion of the itinerary. Under that concept, guests would disembark in Salalah, Oman, while the ship continued through the area with crew only onboard.

Cruise Industry News said the plan included hotel accommodations, a charter flight, and a four-day land program ending in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, along with a mix of included and optional excursions during the land portion.

Schiff und Kreuzfahrten said a revised itinerary was still being finalized and that guests onboard the Vasco da Gama would be the first to receive updated details. While an official public statement addressing the itinerary changes was not included in the available reports, Nicko has communicated revised plans to guests onboard and emphasized passenger safety and comfort.

2027-28 season plans include an expanded world cruise

At the ITB Berlin travel trade show, Nicko Cruises also outlined plans for the Vasco da Gama’s 2027-28 program, headlined by the ship’s fifth world cruise. The 172-day voyage is scheduled to depart Lisbon on November 4, 2027, visiting 88 destinations across 48 countries, before returning to Lisbon in late April 2028.

Nicko said the itinerary begins with European calls in the Azores, Canary Islands, and Cape Verde, before crossing the Atlantic to the Caribbean and Central America with ports including Jamaica, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. After a Pacific crossing, the ship is set to call in French Polynesia, Fiji, Australia, and Southeast Asia, before continuing to Indian Ocean island destinations including the Maldives, Seychelles, and Madagascar.

Nicko is also offering a shorter “small world cruise” option from Panama City to Lisbon lasting 125 days, and the full world cruise itinerary is available in nine individual segments. After completing the world cruise, the Vasco da Gama is scheduled to return to Europe for sailings in Western Europe, the Baltics, and the Mediterranean.

Travel trade events: Vasco da Gama ship tours for agents in 2026

Nicko Cruises is also planning guided Vasco da Gama ship tours for travel agents between May and October 2026, positioning the visits as a way for sellers to experience the ship’s onboard product firsthand. The company described the Vasco da Gama as a 1,000-guest vessel.

The program is set to include a welcome drink at The Dome, a guided walk through public areas, and, subject to availability, visits to different cabin categories. Each tour concludes with lunch at the Waterfront Mediterranean restaurant. Nicko said participation is free, but capacity is limited and registration is required online.

• May 26, 2026 (Hamburg): Tour scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with lunch included as part of the visit.
• July 16, 2026 (Kiel): Tour scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., including a guided walk-through and potential cabin viewing, subject to availability.
• September 4, 2026 (Kiel): Tour scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., following the same welcome, ship visit, and lunch format.
• October 19, 2026 (Hamburg): Tour scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with details provided through the registration link.

Rhine fleet expansion planned for 2028

Alongside its ocean cruise updates, Nicko Cruises said it plans to add a new river ship to its Rhine fleet in 2028. The 135-meter-long vessel is set to have a design similar to Nicko Spirit and Nicko Vision, and Managing Director Guido Laukamp said the newbuild reflects the company’s focus on modernity and innovation in its river cruising portfolio.

Nicko’s near-term focus remains on finalizing the Vasco da Gama’s revised routing for the 2025-26 world cruise and communicating confirmed details to guests onboard, while it continues to market future sailings, including the 2027-28 world cruise program and trade-facing ship tours in Germany.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which parts of the Vasco da Gama 2025-26 world cruise are affected by the security-related changes?

The changes affect at least two parts of the 175-night world cruise, including the segment that began in Indonesia in late February and was scheduled to end in Dubai on March 20, 2026, as well as following itinerary portions that had been planned to route through the Suez Canal toward Greece.

Where will the March 2026 segment end instead of Dubai?

Schiff und Kreuzfahrten said the Vasco da Gama is now expected to end that portion of the voyage in Port Louis, Mauritius, replacing Dubai as the endpoint.

When is the Vasco da Gama expected to return to its published schedule?

Reports said the ship is expected to rejoin its original timetable in Málaga, Spain, on April 17, 2026.

How long is Nicko’s 2027-28 world cruise on Vasco da Gama, and are shorter options available?

Nicko’s 2027-28 world cruise is scheduled to last 172 days, departing Lisbon on November 4, 2027, and returning to Lisbon in late April 2028. Nicko is also offering a 125-day “small world cruise” from Panama City to Lisbon, and the full itinerary is available in nine individual segments.

What are the dates and inclusions for the Vasco da Gama travel agent tours in 2026?

The tour dates are May 26 and October 19, 2026, in Hamburg, and July 16 and September 4, 2026, in Kiel, with tours scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nicko said the program includes a welcome drink, a guided visit of public areas, possible cabin viewing subject to availability, and lunch at the Waterfront Mediterranean restaurant, with free participation via online registration while capacity lasts.