Celestyal Cruises has cancelled its scheduled repositioning cruises through the Red Sea and Suez Canal at the begining and end of its upcoming 2024/25 Middle East season in the Arabian Gulf.

The cruise line will instead sail Celestyal Journey without passengers from the Mediterranean to the Arabian Gulf via Africa.

The 14-night repositioning cruises from Athens to Doha and vice versa were cancelled on the back of ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea region, according to a press release.

The affected sailings were originally scheduled for October 26th, 2024, and March 8th, 2025, and as a result of the longer repositioning voyages, Celestyal has also canceled the first three “Desert Days” itineraries from Doha.

These were set to depart on November 9th, 16th, and 23rd, 2024. Additionally, the first three 2025 “Heavenly Adriatic” itineraries, scheduled for March 22nd, 29th, and April 5th have been canceled as the ship returns to Europe.

Celestyal Journey’s inaugural Arabian Gulf voyage will now be a modified 7-night “Desert Days & Qatar Grand Prix” cruise, departing from Doha on November 30th, 2024. 

The itinerary includes a 7-day stay in Doha for the Qatar Grand Prix, followed by an overnight in Dubai Marina, and stops at Khasab, Sir Bani Yas Island, and Abu Dhabi.

A similar 7-night “Desert Days & Abu Dhabi Grand Prix” cruise will depart from Dubai on December 2nd, 2024, featuring a full-day and late-night stay in Abu Dhabi for the Grand Prix.

“We apologize for the inconvenience that today’s cancellation of a small number of our itineraries may have caused,” said Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal. “Our impacted guests have all been offered alternative cruise options and/or reimbursement.”

All affected passengers and travel partners have been informed, with alternative arrangements and protected commissions assured. Celestyal’s booking systems will be updated over the next two weeks to reflect these changes.

All major cruise lines have been avoiding the Red Sea since the beginning of the year due to Houthi attacks on internationally shipping off the coast of Yemen, cutting cruise lines off from the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean.

Celestyal is the latest cruise line to alter its itineraries for the coming season, with MSC Cruises indicating that it may cancel its repositioning cruises, while TUI Cruises has already done so, along with AIDA Cruises.

MSC, TUI and AIDA are all homeporting in Dubai during the upcoming 2024/25 Middle East season.