Celestyal Cruises has confirmed that both its vessels, Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery, will sail through the Red Sea without passengers ahead of the start of their 2025/26 winter deployment in the Arabian Gulf.
The cruise line’s announcement follows its earlier confirmation that the Middle East season will proceed as scheduled, despite adjustments to the ships’ repositioning plans.
Both vessels will depart Athens on their respective open-jaw repositioning cruises to Jeddah, sailing with guests on board until the Saudi Arabian port, before completing the remainder of the voyage to the UAE without passengers.
According to the latest schedule, Celestyal Journey will depart Athens on November 22nd, 2025, followed by Celestyal Discovery on November 28th. Each will operate a seven-night cruise featuring calls at Kusadasi in Turkey, Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, and Aqaba in Jordan, along with a full transit of the Suez Canal before disembarking guests in Jeddah.
The ships will then continue through the Red Sea and the notorious Bab Al Mandeb Strait without passengers, a move described as a precautionary measure given the continued volatility in the region.
Several international shipping operators have recently diverted or modified routes due to ongoing security risks in the southern Red Sea, and AIDA Cruises cancelled its Middle East season earlier this year for similar reasons.
Despite these challenges, Celestyal has reiterated its commitment to the Arabian Gulf programme.
Celestyal Journey will sail her first cruise in the Arabian Gulf on December 6th, 2025, with a cruise featuring the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix, before operating 7-night round trip cruises from Doha, Qatar and calling at Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain, as well as two full days and an overnight stay in Dubai.
Celestyal Discovery will join her fleet mate for her inaugural season in the region on December 12th, 2025, launching the line’s new 3-, 4- and 7-night roundtrip cruises from Abu Dhabi, calling at Doha, Qatar; Khasab, Oman; and Dubai and Sir Bani Yas Island in the UAE.
Celestyal said the decision to reposition its ships without passengers ensures a safe and smooth start to its first full Arabian Gulf season, maintaining continuity for guests booked on winter sailings while prioritising operational safety.
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