Explora Journeys cancels 2027/28 Middle East and Red Sea cruise programmes

Explora Journeys has cancelled its 2027/2028 Middle East and Red Sea programmes amid the evolving situation in the region.

The changes affect Explora I and Explora V, which had been scheduled to operate in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea respectively during the winter season. The ships will instead be redeployed to South America and the Mediterranean.

Explora I had been due to spend approximately four months in the Middle East, operating itineraries in the Arabian Gulf and neighbouring countries between November 2027 and February 2028.

The programme would have marked another season for Explora Journeys in the region but has now been removed following a wider review of the company’s deployment plans.

Explora V, which is scheduled to enter service in late 2027, had also been set to operate in the region during its inaugural months.

The new ship was due to sail a short Red Sea season between late January and mid-March 2028. It will now remain in the Mediterranean, while Explora I will move to South America for the winter.

Explora Journeys said the changes follow “a careful review of deployment plans for the winter 2027/28 season” and take into account the evolving regional situation.

“This decision has been taken well in advance and reflects our commitment to providing guests and travel advisors with clarity and confidence as they plan their future Journeys,” the company said.

“The Arabian Gulf and Red Sea remain destinations of strong interest to our guests, and we look forward to sailing in the region in the future,” Explora added.

Existing reservations for the cancelled Arabian Gulf and Red Sea itineraries will be automatically cancelled, with affected passengers receiving a full refund of their cruise fare.

Explora Journeys is also providing a future cruise credit of €250 per person for up to two passengers on each affected reservation. The credit can be applied to a new booking made within one year.

The decision comes amid wider changes to cruise capacity planned for the Middle East during the 2027/2028 winter season.

MSC Cruises recently cancelled MSC World Europa’s planned deployment in the region. The ship had been scheduled to operate seven-night Middle East cruises but will instead remain in the Western Mediterranean for winter 2027/2028.

That change also marked the second consecutive winter in which MSC World Europa has been withdrawn from a planned Middle East programme.

Explora Journeys has not announced when its ships will return to the Arabian Gulf or Red Sea, with the company maintaining that both regions remain part of its future deployment plans.