Key Aspects:
- Celestyal Cruises has announced the cancellation of all Arabian Gulf deployments for the 2026/2027 winter season.
- The decision was made following recent developments in the US/Iran conflict.
- The cruise line will expand its Mediterranean offerings in response.
Amidst the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States and the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Greek cruise line Celestyal Cruises has made the decision to cancel all Arabian Gulf deployments for its 2026 winter season.
These cruises, based out of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Jeddah, include 51 sailings aboard Celestyal Discovery between November 20, 2026, and March 11, 2027, as well as 34 sailings aboard Celestyal Journey between November 14, 2026, and March 26, 2027.
The update was shared across social media by the official Celestyal Cruises account, in which they outlined their decision.
The cruise line assured guests that they would be contacted by Celestyal or their original travel provider and offered a full refund or future cruise credit for an alternative sailing.
Read Also: Are Smaller or Bigger Cruise Ships Better?
Speaking of alternate sailings, the cruise line also announced that, in response to this change, they will be expanding their current Mediterranean program with ten new sailings.
Celestyal Discovery will add six additional “Iconic Greek Islands” sailings: two in November 2026 and four in March 2027. These 3-4 night itineraries are jam-packed with Greek sights and culture, stopping in ports such as Athens, Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes, and Santorini.
Meanwhile, Celestyal Journey will add four Mediterranean sailings in March 2027: two “Heavenly Greece, Italy, and Croatia” sailings and two “Idyllic Greece” sailings.
Celestyal’s Heavenly Greece, Italy, and Croatia itineraries are 7-night sailings stopping in Athens, Kefalonia, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Bari, Corfu, and Katakolon. The Idyllic Greece itinerary is a 7-night sailing stopping in Athens, Kusadasi, Rhodes, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, and Milos.
Celestyal Cruises also encouraged guests to keep an eye on their social media pages, as the cruise line will be announcing new western Mediterranean itineraries for the 2026/2027 winter season soon.
Celestyal Cruises’ Arabian Troubles
Several cruise lines have been impacted amidst continuing conflicts in the Arabian Gulf region. Cruise Hive reported as some ships ended up stranded in the Gulf for months on end, unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Celestyal Cruises was affected more than most, however. While larger cruise lines like MSC and TUI Cruises had other ships continuing to sail throughout the world, Celestyal’s entire two-ship fleet was trapped for months.
Passengers onboard had to be hastily repatriated, and several subsequent cruises were canceled.
The 42,289 gross ton Celestyal Discovery, was the first cruise ship to leave the gulf on April 17, 2026, after being stuck since February. Originally built in 2003 as AIDAaura, she has been in operation by Celestyal since 2023, offering Greek Island and Arabian Gulf cruises.
Meanwhile, the 55,819 gross ton Celestyal Journey exited the region one day later on April 18, after being trapped for the same duration. Celestyal Journey is an older ship, first completed in 1994 for Holland America Line as Ryndam, she changed hands a few times before landing with Celestyal Cruises in 2023.
The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to commercial operations. While there is talk amongst the relevant governments of reaching a deal to re-open, nothing is concrete at the present time, and Celestyal Cruises is clearly not interested in taking any risks.
