Royal Caribbean monitoring Iran tensions closely, but no plans to change Dubai cruise itineraries

Royal Caribbean Cruises, homeporting Jewel of the Seas in Dubai for the current winter season, says it is monitoring the Iran-US tensions closely, but has no plans to alter any of its Dubai sailings.

“Our Global Security teams continue to monitor the situation in the region and are working closely with authorities to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests and crew, which remains our highest priority,” said Mohamed Saeed, General Manager, Middle East, Royal Caribbean in an emailed statement to Cruise Arabia & Africa.

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“We are communicating directly with our guests and will advise them if any schedule changes become necessary,” he added.

Royal Caribbean Cruises is the parent company for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea Cruises, all of which are cruising from Dubai during the current cruise season.

While Silversea and Azamara will operate one-off Dubai cruise itineraries, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises are both homeporting in the city for the current winter season until March.

Azamara is sending three of its cruise ships to Dubai during the current season, and already sailed two roundtrip voyages from the city aboard Azamara Quest.

Silversea Cruises, meanwhile, is doing just one cruise from Dubai (to Mumbai) aboard its recently revamped expedition cruiser Silver Cloud.

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Celebrity Cruises is homeporting in Dubai throughout the cruise season, sailing alternating two-week cruises back and forth between the Arabian Gulf and Singapore, while Royal Caribbean International has returned to the region for the first time since 2015 with Jewel of the Seas.

Jewel of the Seas will cruise roundtrip from Dubai on 7-night Arabian Gulf itineraries until March.

The comments by Royal Caribbean come just days after MSC Cruises also confirmed it would not be changing any of its cruise itineraries out of Dubai amid the heightened tensions between Iran and the United States.

On January 3^rd Iranian Major General Qasem Soleimani, was killed in a US drone strike in Baghdad. The US said he was responsible for the deaths of several dozen American troops and officials, and that he was planning further attacks.

In response, Iran on January 8^th launched attacks on Iraqi bases housing US forces. During those strikes, the Iranian military accidentally shot down a Ukrainian airliner carrying 176 passengers and crew.

The developments led to a spike in heated rhetoric between the United States and Iran, fueling concerns of all-out conflict in the region. Such concerns have been dismissed by UAE authorities, who insist the country remains safe for tourists and residents alike.