Nicko Cruises Reroutes Vasco da Gama World Cruise Around Red Sea Risk

Nicko Cruises has reworked a key stretch of its 175-night world cruise on Vasco da Gama, replacing a planned sea passage through the Red Sea region with an overland program because of security concerns. The change affects the segment between Dubai and Piraeus (Athens) scheduled for March 20, 2026.

Guido Laukamp, Managing Director of Nicko Cruises, said the decision was driven by guest safety: “The well-being of our guests is always our top priority. Even though we hope conditions will stabilize around Yemen prior to our passage, we’re proactively offering a high-quality, enriching land program in Saudi Arabia to ensure both safety and a rewarding travel experience.”

How the revised Dubai-to-Athens segment will work

Instead of remaining onboard through the Red Sea corridor, guests will disembark in Salalah, Oman, and shift to a land-and-air itinerary that ends in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. After the overland portion, passengers will rejoin Vasco da Gama in Jeddah and the ship will resume the original route, including a Suez Canal transit, as it continues toward Europe.

• Disembarkation in Salalah: Guests will leave the ship in Salalah, Oman, before the itinerary would have entered the Red Sea region.
• Chartered flights to Saudi Arabia: Nicko Cruises will use charter flights to move passengers from Oman to Saudi Arabia as part of the revised schedule.
• Four nights in Jeddah: The program includes a four-night stay in a four-star hotel in Jeddah, creating a structured bridge back to the cruise itinerary.
• Excursions and booking options: Nicko Cruises said a majority of excursions will be included, with additional experiences available to book onboard prior to the land portion.
• Ship repositioning: While guests are on the overland program, Vasco da Gama will sail without passengers to Saudi Arabia to meet them at the re-embarkation point in Jeddah.

Nicko Cruises described the land program as a curated visit with “cultural, culinary and natural” elements, positioning it as an alternative travel experience while avoiding the security-sensitive area.

What stays the same on the 175-night world cruise

The cruise line said only this section of the world voyage is being modified. After passengers reboard in Jeddah, Vasco da Gama is set to continue on its planned track via the Suez Canal and onward to the Mediterranean and Europe.

The world cruise itinerary in context

Vasco da Gama began its world voyage from Hamburg, Germany, on Nov. 7, 2025, sailing round-trip on a 175-night itinerary that spans more than 90 ports across around 40 countries. The route includes marquee canal passages via the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal, along with less common calls such as San Andrés (Colombia) and São Vicente (Cape Verde).

Nicko Cruises has described the current sailing as its third world cruise operated since acquiring the ship in late 2020, and it is now in its third year of operating Vasco da Gama. The itinerary also features multiple overnight stays, including Cartagena de Indias (Colombia), Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala) and Papeete (Tahiti).

For guests not taking the full 175-night itinerary, Nicko Cruises has also offered shorter options, including a 148-day segment from Hamburg to Bali, Indonesia.

What comes after the ship returns to Hamburg

Vasco da Gama is scheduled to complete the world cruise in early May 2026. After returning to Hamburg, the ship is set to transition into Mediterranean and Northern European itineraries for the summer season.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which part of the Vasco da Gama world cruise is affected by the reroute?

The change applies to the leg scheduled between Dubai and Piraeus (Athens) on March 20, 2026, replacing the planned sea passage through the Red Sea region with an overland program.

Where will guests leave the ship, and where will they rejoin it?

Passengers will disembark in Salalah, Oman, and re-embark in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, after completing the overland portion of the trip.

What is included in the overland program, and how will guests travel?

Nicko Cruises said the program includes chartered flights from Oman to Saudi Arabia, a four-night stay in a four-star hotel in Jeddah, and curated excursions. The company said a majority of excursions will be included, with additional options available to book onboard before the land program begins.

Will Vasco da Gama still transit the Suez Canal after the overland portion?

Yes. After guests rejoin the ship in Jeddah, Vasco da Gama is scheduled to continue with the original itinerary, including a transit of the Suez Canal, as it sails on toward Europe.