Cruise lines coordinate passenger departures from Gulf ports amid regional tensions

Cruise operators are arranging large-scale travel plans for passengers currently in Gulf ports after several ships suspended itineraries in the region following the escalation of tensions between Iran and the United States that began at the end of February.

Multiple cruise lines operating in the Arabian Gulf have adjusted their schedules while assisting passengers with return travel arrangements from ports including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. Ships affected by the changes remain alongside while companies coordinate with airlines, authorities and embassies to facilitate onward journeys.

MSC Cruises confirmed that flights have already been arranged for more than 1,500 guests who had been travelling aboard MSC Euribia. Several flights carrying passengers have departed the region in recent days using a combination of charter aircraft organised by the cruise line, seats secured on scheduled services with airline partners, and flights organised by national authorities.

“I am immensely proud of how the whole company is coming together with this highly complex repatriation operation,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises.

“Our ship command and crew have worked tirelessly to ensure our guests are well cared for and our teams across the globe have worked round the clock to get our guests home safely and in a timely manner,” Vago added.

Passengers travelling on MSC Euribia have departed for a number of international destinations including the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, the United States and Brazil. Some guests remain onboard while travel arrangements continue to be finalised.

“We have received unparalleled support from our airline partner, Emirates, as well as the regional and national governments who are supporting us to facilitate the necessary operational logistics and authorisation for the flights,” said Vago.

“We still have some guests on the ship, but we are working hard to secure their safe passage from the region,” he added.

Other operators have also been coordinating passenger travel following the suspension of sailings. Celestyal Cruises confirmed that passengers have disembarked from Celestyal Discovery in Dubai, with onboard teams assisting guests with transfers and accommodation where required. Guests remaining on Celestyal Journey in Doha are expected to receive updates on travel arrangements as planning continues.

TUI Cruises has implemented similar arrangements for passengers travelling on Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5. The company confirmed that several upcoming departures have been cancelled following unchanged travel and safety guidance issued by Germany’s Federal Foreign Office.

TUI Cruises said it had already arranged travel for hundreds of passengers returning to Germany via Dubai on Emirates flights, with additional departures planned in the coming days. Special flights organised by the company from Muscat are also scheduled to carry passengers onward to Europe, while additional services are being prepared for guests currently onboard Mein Schiff 5 in Doha.

The operator indicated that onboard services on both ships continue to run normally while travel arrangements are coordinated. The company’s crisis management team remains in close contact with authorities, embassies and international security advisers as part of ongoing planning.

The operational adjustments have affected several vessels operating winter itineraries in the Gulf. In addition to MSC Euribia, Celestyal Discovery, Celestyal Journey, Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5, the Saudi-operated Aroya is also currently docked in the region.

Cruise operators typically deploy ships to the Gulf between November and April, linking ports in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman. Companies said they continue to monitor developments closely and are working with regional authorities and airline partners to assist passengers with travel arrangements while assessing the timing of future sailings.