MSC and TUI follow Celestyal and AROYA, cancelling rest of 2025/26 Gulf season

All cruise lines operating winter programmes in the Arabian Gulf have now cancelled the remainder of their 2025/26 sailings in the region, as operators continue to review conditions affecting maritime operations and travel planning.

MSC Cruises and TUI Cruises have confirmed the suspension of their remaining Gulf itineraries, joining earlier decisions by Celestyal Cruises and AROYA Cruises to conclude their seasonal deployments ahead of schedule.

MSC Cruises had been scheduled to continue operating MSC Euribia in the region through early April, but the company has now cancelled the vessel’s remaining departures. The ship had been due to offer five additional cruises visiting ports in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain.

In a statement issued following the decision, MSC indicated that the move was taken while monitoring operational conditions in the region and following guidance from relevant authorities.

The cancellation brings to an end the ship’s winter programme in the Gulf, which typically operates between November and spring each year and connects ports including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Manama.

TUI Cruises has also confirmed the cancellation of additional sailings aboard Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5, which had been deployed in the region for the winter season.

According to updates issued by the company, cruises scheduled on Mein Schiff 4 through March 23rd, 2026, will no longer proceed. Similarly, all departures aboard Mein Schiff 5 through March 12th have been cancelled.

The German operator said the decision was taken after considering travel and safety guidance issued by Germany’s Federal Foreign Office.

Both ships had been operating itineraries linking ports in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman, including calls in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Muscat.

Earlier this month, Celestyal Cruises confirmed that it would also conclude its Gulf programme ahead of schedule. The line had deployed two vessels in the region, Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery, for the winter season.

Those ships remained alongside in regional ports while arrangements were made for passengers and while the company evaluated the timing of repositioning voyages back to Europe.

Celestyal said it is continuing to finalise operational arrangements for the vessels’ return to the Mediterranean ahead of the summer programme.

The early conclusion of the Gulf season also affected sailings planned in Europe, with two Iconic Aegean departures aboard Celestyal Discovery in March subsequently cancelled while repositioning plans are finalised.

AROYA Cruises also announced that it would not operate the remaining sailings scheduled for its inaugural Gulf season. The Saudi operator had planned to run itineraries in the region through early May after introducing its ship to the market in late February.

The company said the decision was taken in coordination with maritime and national authorities following ongoing operational considerations in the region.

The developments follow earlier adjustments by Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises, which had already decided in mid-2025 not to deploy ships in the Gulf during the 2025/26 winter season.

Costa had originally planned to operate Costa Toscana in the region, while AIDA Cruises had scheduled AIDAprima for similar itineraries.

Cruise lines typically deploy ships to the Arabian Gulf during the winter months, linking ports across the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain. With multiple operators now concluding their programmes early, vessels are expected to reposition to other regions once operating conditions allow.

Companies have indicated that they continue to monitor developments and coordinate with authorities while preparing the ships for their next scheduled deployments in Europe and other markets.