Nicko Cruises follows Celestyal, plans 2026 Red Sea transit via Saudi Arabia 

The boutique European cruise line Nicko Cruises has announced changes to the itinerary of its upcoming 2025/26 world cruise aboard Vasco da Gama, citing security concerns in the Red Sea region.

The 175-night voyage, which departs Hamburg on November 7th, 2025, will proceed as scheduled apart from one affected segment between Dubai and Piraeus (Athens) on March 20th, 2026. 

Instead of sailing through the Red Sea and around Yemen as scheduled, guests will disembark in Salalah, Oman, for a four-day overland programme, while the ship repositions to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia without passengers.

The cruise line said the decision balances “responsible route planning with a high-quality, four-day overland programme.” Passengers will travel from Oman to Saudi Arabia by charter flight before spending four nights at a four-star hotel in Jeddah. 

The itinerary will include cultural, culinary and natural excursions in the region, combining safety measures with local exploration.

“The well-being of our guests is always our top priority,” said Guido Laukamp, Managing Director of Nicko Cruises. “Even though we hope that the conditions for shipping around Yemen will continue to stabilise before our planned passage, we are proactively offering a high-quality, enriching land programme in Saudi Arabia.” 

“This allows us to combine safety with unique cultural insights and create an unforgettable travel experience for our guests,” he added.

According to Nicko Cruises, the alternative land segment has been designed to deliver an “attractive wealth of unforgettable experiences and adventures.” Some tours will be included in the fare, while others can be booked onboard ahead of the overland portion.

Once guests rejoin Vasco da Gama in Jeddah, the ship will continue its planned itinerary through the Suez Canal before heading into the Mediterranean and onwards to Western Europe to complete the world cruise.

Nicko Cruises’ decision mirrors similar measures taken by other operators amid ongoing maritime security issues in the Red Sea. Celestyal Cruises, which is homeporting its two-ship fleet in the Arabian Gulf this winter, also announced itinerary changes earlier this year. 

The cruise line amended its planned repositioning from Athens to Dubai, to conclude in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia instead, while both ships will continue on through the Red Sea without passengers. 

The adjustment by Nicko further underscores the growing role of Saudi Arabia as a logistical and tourism hub for regional cruise operations. As the Kingdom continues to open its ports and promote cultural tourism, cruise lines are increasingly using Saudi cities such as Jeddah as transit and embarkation points to maintain continuity on global routes affected by regional tensions.