“The safety of our guests is our absolute priority…We will keep you informed of any further updates or changes,” the cruise line wrote in a social media post.
As the article takes place, multiple cruise ships remain stuck in the middle east due to the joint US and Israeli attack on Iran on February 28, 2026.
Iran has also gone ahead with violently retaliating, due to which thousands of passengers remain stranded and sails remain closed.
With the ongoing tension, companies like MSC, AIDA and Costa are going through unexpected cancellations due to safety concerns. MSC, known for its luxury expedition which also became fan favourite in Arabian Gulf was supposed to leave for a 7 day voyage from Doha. However the ongoing unpredictability of the region has caused its cancellation.
Not just cruise lines but also the airlines, travel companies were forced to adjust their departures and time lines in the middle eastern countries.
For the present the guests have been asked to remain onboard and they are asked to stay inside and away from the windows for their own safety.
A statement from the cruise line was declared:
“We are monitoring the situation very closely and are in constant contact with the relevant authorities as well as the security departments of our parent companies TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Group,”
According to an article by cruisehive guests reported that the crew members were very cordial with the passengers about any necessary medications or baby care essentials so as to bring enough supplies to last a week or so.
The cruise also has a family hotline to enquire about family, relatives or loved ones.
Not just MSC but Celestyal cruises are also going with the approach to wait and see how the situation unfolds.
“We are closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East in coordination with the relevant authorities…Both ships will remain in port for 24 hours while the situation is assessed,” a statement by Celestyal cruises.
Cruises like Aroya which is relatively smaller and currently operates with one vessel. For now there has been no official statement by them but the passengers have been warned that an update can come in anytime.
It is generally not normal for cruises to be cancelled as they are equipped to be around bad weather and to adjust itineraries. It’s always cancelled or stay put due to safety concerns and in a war situation like this safety remains the top priority for the companies.
The wider impact includes port and airline disruptions. According to an article posted by Travel and Tour World, the current scenario goes far beyond just the shutdown of the cruise lines. It has equally impacted the airlines including Emirates and Qatar Airways cancelling flights and rerouting planes.
In situations like these the major question arises about “what can passengers do”?
- For the passengers with upcoming flights or cruises they need to stay in communication with cruise and airlines.
- Many cruises and airlines are providing rebooking so ensure that your bookings are flexible.
- And in such times be prepared for any sort of delays or long waited hours.
- But the best advice at this moment would be not travelling for a while.
Circumstances like these are new to everyone, including the staff and the passengers. It is very important to co-operate and stay calm. Operators will continue doing their work and monitor development closely.
