18.04.2026

During the course of today, the Celestyal Discovery, Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5, and MSC Euribia have left the Persian Gulf. The shipping companies will announce the further routes of the ships later. All cruise ships have taken a route very close to the Omani coast.

17.04.2026

One of the cruise ships affected by the ongoing disruptions in the Persian Gulf is now on the move. The Celestyal Discovery, operated by Celestyal Cruises, appears to be heading towards the Strait of Hormuz after weeks of regional tensions.

According to tracking data from Marine Traffic, the ship has left Dubai and is currently heading towards Khasab in Oman at approximately 17 knots. This movement suggests the vessel may be attempting to transit the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz and reposition itself after a series of cancelled sailings in the eastern Mediterranean. Due to the current situation, several sailings were cancelled, leaving the ship temporarily idle in the region before embarking on this latest journey.

The ship is one of at least six cruise ships that are affected and effectively 'stranded' in the Gulf. Several vessels are positioned in ports such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, awaiting further clarity before resuming operations.

Two cruise ships, MSC Euribia and Mein Schiff 5, are currently not visible on public tracking maps. This has led to speculation that their AIS transponders may have been switched off, a measure sometimes taken for security reasons in sensitive regions.

As the Celestyal Discovery continues its course towards Oman, attention now turns to whether other ships will begin to reposition themselves or remain in place until conditions stabilise. The situation remains dynamic as cruise lines closely monitor developments before making further operational decisions.

Hope for cruise holidaymakers: 'Mein Schiff 4' and 'Mein Schiff 5' to return to Europe

Since the end of February, the 'Mein Schiff 4' and 'Mein Schiff 5' have been stuck in the Persian Gulf due to the ongoing conflicts in the Iran war. Over 45,000 holidaymakers have been unable to start their planned cruises in the Mediterranean as a result, but now there is hope for a swift solution.

Repatriation of the ships planned

Tui Cruises has announced that after the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the ships are to be brought back to Europe shortly. According to the official statement from Tui Cruises, the necessary preparations are currently being made for the departure of the two cruise ships from the ports of Abu Dhabi and Doha. The passage is to take place taking into account the current security situation and will be organised in close coordination with the responsible authorities and security experts.

Crossing and minimal crew

The crossing of the ships is expected to take around four weeks. Tui Cruises informs that a reduced minimum crew is on board each ship to ensure the safe operation of the vessels. After departure, the ships are scheduled to be integrated back into the timetable as quickly as possible.

Possible return of cancelled cruises

For holidaymakers who were notified only shortly after their cruise was cancelled, there could also be positive news. Tui Cruises is currently examining the extent to which some already cancelled trips may still be carried out under certain conditions. However, concrete information about a timetable or the route of a possible transfer is not yet available.