Three cruise lines have now cancelled their planned seasons in the Arabian Gulf during the 2026-27 winter.
With conflicts in the Middle East entering their fourth week, Explora Journeys became the latest cruise line to change plans for the region.
Costa
Along with AIDA, Costa Cruises was the first company to cancel its plans for the 2026-27 season in the Middle East.
After also cancelling its operations in the region in 2025-26, the Carnival-owned Italian brand was set to return to the Arabian Gulf with the Costa Smeralda.
In a statement shared in mid-March, Costa noted that decision was driven by the outlook for the region, which was said to remain uncertain.
The company also announced plans to redeploy the Smeralda in the Canary Islands in 2026-27.
AIDA
A second Carnival-owned brand, AIDA Cruises, also cancelled its planned operations for 2026-27 in the Middle East in mid-March.
The Germany-based company said that the decision aimed at giving guests certainty, considering that the situation in the region in “cannot be reliably predicted for the foreseeable future.”
Instead of sailing in the Middle East, the AIDAprima is now set to offer itineraries to the Canaries and Northern Europe during the upcoming winter season.
Explora
Explora Journeys recently announced that it will not sail in the Middle East during the 2026-27 winter season.
The MSC-owned luxury brand planned to operate the Explora II in the region for a series of itineraries to the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Explora explained that the decision followed “careful consideration” and reflected its “commitment to providing guests and travel advisors with clarity and confidence” as they plan their future cruises.
With its inaugural season in the Arabian Gulf cancelled, the Explora II is now scheduled to offer new winter itineraries in the Western Mediterranean in 2026-27.
MSC
MSC Cruises is currently planning to operate the MSC World Europa in the Arabian Gulf in the 2026-27 winter.
As part of the company’s deployment plans for the season, which were published in 2025, the 5,400-passenger ship is scheduled to offer seven-night cruises to the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Doha.
Celestyal
Celestyal Cruises hasn’t announced any changes to its published schedule for 2026-27, which includes the Celestyal Journey and the Celestyal Discovery sailing in the Arabian Gulf.
The vessels are scheduled to offer itineraries to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Oman between late November and mid-March.
TUI
TUI Cruises’ plans for the 2026-27 season include the new Mein Schiff Flow offering a series of itineraries in the Arabian Gulf.
As the company’s largest and newest vessel, the 4,000-passenger ship is set to offer cruises in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman during the winter season.
Aroya
After having its inaugural season in the region partially cancelled in 2025-26, Aroya Cruises is planning to return to the Arabian Gulf during the 2026-27 season.
The Saudi-based brand plans to offer seven-night cruises to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrein and Oman between January and March 2027.
