Norwegian Cruise Line cancels Norwegian Sky farewell cruise from Athens to Muscat

Norwegian Cruise Line has cancelled the farewell voyage of Norwegian Sky as continued security concerns in the Middle East prompt further changes to cruise deployments in the region.

The 19-night sailing was due to depart Piraeus, Greece, on September 9th, 2026, before transiting the Suez Canal and Red Sea en route to Muscat, Oman.

According to a statement sent to booked guests, the cruise line determined that ongoing regional uncertainty, principally involving the US-Iran conflict, meant it could no longer operate the voyage as planned.

“After careful review, and with the safety and security of our guests and crew as our guiding priority, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this sailing,” the company said. “Given the ongoing uncertainty in the region, we no longer have the level of confidence needed to deliver the experience you expect and deserve.”

The cancellation follows an earlier revision to the itinerary announced in July, when Norwegian removed planned calls in the Arabian Gulf, shortened the voyage from 21 to 19 nights and changed the final destination from Dubai to Muscat.

The revised itinerary had included calls at Rhodes, Alexandria, Port Sokhna, Safaga, Sharm El Sheikh, Jeddah, and Aqaba, together with transits of the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.

Norwegian Sky is scheduled to leave the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet in October this year following its sale to India’s Cordelia Cruises in 2025.

The September sailing had been marketed as the vessel’s farewell cruise before its planned delivery to the new owner.

Norwegian said guests affected by the cancellation will receive a full refund to their original form of payment.

Passengers will also receive a Future Cruise Credit worth 50 per cent of the current voyage fare, in addition to the 15 per cent credit previously issued when the itinerary was amended.

The combined credits may be redeemed against any published Norwegian Cruise Line sailing departing on or before December 31st, 2027.

Guests who booked flights through Norwegian will have their air arrangements automatically cancelled and refunded.

Passengers who made independent flight bookings may claim reimbursement of up to US$300 per person for eligible airline change or cancellation fees not covered by the airline or travel insurance.

The cancellation is the latest example of cruise lines continuing to adjust Middle East deployments as a result of the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

Several operators have either cancelled Arabian Gulf seasons, shortened repositioning voyages or redeployed ships elsewhere as security concerns surrounding the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz continue to influence itinerary planning.