The outlook for the 2027/28 Arabian Gulf cruise season remains uncertain, with two cruise lines cancelling deployments while others continue to back the region or have yet to confirm their plans.

Just months after the 2026/27 cruise season was reshaped by geopolitical tensions, cruise operators are taking markedly different approaches to the Arabian Gulf for winter 2027/28.

Two cruise lines have withdrawn from the market, several others remain committed to their published deployments, while some have yet to reveal whether they will return to the region.

The latest development came in late June, when AIDA Cruises cancelled its planned 2027/28 Arabian Gulf season aboard AIDAperla.

The German cruise line had planned to operate a full winter programme featuring roundtrip itineraries from the UAE, visiting Oman and Bahrain. Instead, the vessel will now be redeployed to Northern Europe and the Canary Islands.

AIDA said it had taken the decision early to provide planning certainty for guests and travel partners, adding that the security situation in the Middle East could not yet be reliably assessed.

The move follows a similar decision taken earlier this year, when the cruise line cancelled its planned 2026/27 Gulf season and reassigned AIDAprima to European itineraries from Kiel.

Celestyal was the first operator to withdraw from the market for winter 2027/28, despite the region emerging as one of its fastest-growing markets just prior to the US-Iran conflict.

In May, the company announced it would cancel all future Arabian Gulf operations, including both its 2026/27 and 2027/28 deployments, saying it would instead focus on strengthening its Mediterranean programme.

The cruise line’s two ships had been scheduled to operate itineraries sailing round trip from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar, visiting Sir Bani Yas.

Instead, Celestyal is expanding its presence in the Western Mediterranean while extending programmes in the Aegean, Adriatic, and Greek Islands. The company has said a new deployment for Celestyal Journey during winter 2027/28 will be announced at a later date.

Despite the withdrawals, several operators continue to maintain published plans for the region.

MSC Cruises remains committed to deploying MSC World Europa, one of the largest ships in its fleet, to the Arabian Gulf during winter 2027/28.

According to the line’s current schedule, the 5,400-passenger vessel will operate cruises between December 2027 and April 2028, with itineraries featuring Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi.

Luxury brand Explora Journeys is also maintaining its plans to enter the region.

Explora I is scheduled to make the cruise line’s Arabian Gulf debut with a programme of seven- to 15-night voyages sailing from Dubai between December 2027 and February 2028.

For several other operators, however, plans remain unresolved.

Costa Cruises has yet to announce its deployment for winter 2027/28. The Italian line had originally planned to return to the Arabian Gulf during the 2026/27 season before cancelling those itineraries in favour of increasing capacity in the Canary Islands. Historically, Costa has been one of the region’s largest operators, regularly deploying large-capacity vessels on Gulf itineraries.

TUI Cruises is also yet to publish its complete winter 2027/28 programme. The German operator cancelled its planned 2026/27 Gulf deployment in April, opting instead to strengthen capacity in Northern Europe and the Canary Islands.

The Saudi market remains the notable exception.

AROYA Cruises continues to operate as planned in the region and is currently the only cruise line to have maintained its 2026/27 Arabian Gulf programme.

Following its regional debut earlier this year, Aroya is scheduled to offer seven-night itineraries between January and March 2027, visiting ports in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

While the cruise line has published itineraries through late 2027, it has not yet confirmed its full deployment for the remainder of the 2027/28 winter season.

Beyond homeport operations, several premium and luxury cruise lines are still expected to visit the region as part of longer global itineraries.

Oceania Cruises, Silversea Cruises, and Crystal Cruises all continue to show transit calls or individual voyages through the Arabian Gulf during winter 2027/28, with no changes announced to their published schedules.

The mixed picture highlights the cautious approach many cruise operators continue to take towards the region. While some lines have opted to provide certainty by withdrawing well in advance, others continue to express confidence in their existing programmes, suggesting the final shape of the 2027/28 Arabian Gulf cruise season is still likely to evolve over the coming months.

2027/28 Arabian Gulf cruise ship deployment plans

AIDA Cruises	Cancelled. AIDAperla redeployed to Northern Europe and the Canary Islands.
Celestyal	Cancelled. Gulf operations withdrawn in favour of expanded Mediterranean deployment.
MSC Cruises	Operating as planned with MSC World Europa (December 2027-April 2028).
Explora Journeys	Operating as planned. Explora I scheduled to debut in the Arabian Gulf.
Costa Cruises	Yet to announce 2027-28 deployment.
TUI Cruises	Yet to announce 2027-28 deployment.
Aroya Cruises	Winter 2026-27 programme confirmed; remainder of 2027-28 season yet to be announced.
Oceania Cruises	Transit calls remain scheduled.
Silversea Cruises	Transit calls remain scheduled.
Crystal Cruises	Transit calls remain scheduled.