Six cruise ships are stranded in the Arabian Gulf after their operations in the region were suspended at the end of February.

With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed to international shipping, the ships are unable to leave the area and begin their repositioning voyages to other parts of the world.

MSC Euribia

Shipping company: MSC Cruises
Current location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Next scheduled cruise start: 2 May 2026, from Kiel, Germany
Upcoming itineraries: Northern Europe and Scandinavia

The MSC Euribia, currently the largest ship in the Arabian Gulf with capacity for 5,400 passengers, has been docked in Dubai since 27 February 2026 and is scheduled to resume operations in Northern Europe on 2 May 2026. During the summer, the ship will offer seven-night cruises to the Norwegian fjords, departing from Germany and Denmark.

Celestyal Journey

Shipping company: Celestyal Cruises
Current location: Doha, Qatar
Next scheduled cruise start: 4 April 2026, from Piraeus, Greece
Upcoming itineraries: Eastern Mediterranean and the Greek Isles

Although all passengers were safely disembarked this month, the Celestyal Journey remains docked in Doha, Qatar. The ship, built in 1993, is scheduled to begin a series of Eastern Mediterranean and Greek Isles itineraries from 4 April 2026, following a repositioning voyage to Greece.

Celestyal Discovery

Shipping company: Celestyal Cruises
Current location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Next scheduled cruise start: 3 April 2026, from Lavrion, Greece
Upcoming itineraries: Eastern Mediterranean and the Greek Isles

The Celestyal Discovery, also docked in Dubai, is set to spend its summer in the Eastern Mediterranean. After cancelling four sailings in Europe due to the current situation, the 1,360-passenger ship is expected to welcome guests again on 3 April 2026 in Lavrion, Greece.

Mein Schiff 4

Shipping company: TUI Cruises
Current location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Next scheduled cruise start: 11 April 2026, from Cape Town, South Africa
Upcoming itineraries: Repositioning voyage via Africa, followed by a summer in the Eastern Mediterranean

The Mein Schiff 4 from TUI Cruises is currently docked in Abu Dhabi. While the first part of its repositioning voyage was cancelled earlier this month, the ship is still set to offer the second leg of its journey. The 20-night cruise from South Africa to Spain is scheduled to depart Cape Town on April 11, 2026, and will be followed by an Eastern Mediterranean summer season.

Mein Schiff 5

Cruise Line: TUI Cruises
Current Location: Doha, Qatar
Next Scheduled Departure: April 17, 2026, from Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Upcoming Itineraries: Eastern Mediterranean, Greek Isles, and Turkey

The Mein Schiff 5 is also stranded in the Arabian Gulf after the remainder of its season in the region was cancelled at the end of February. Currently docked in Doha, the 2,500-passenger ship has cancelled its repositioning voyages. It is now expected to welcome guests again in Spain on April 17, 2026.

Aroya

Cruise Line: Aroya Cruises
Current Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Next Scheduled Departure: May 14, 2026, from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Upcoming Itineraries: Red Sea Spring Season, followed by Eastern Mediterranean Summer

Originally scheduled to operate in the region from February to May, the Aroya completes the list of cruise ships in the Arabian Gulf. The Aroya Cruises ship, docked in Dubai, is expected to resume commercial operations on May 14, kicking off the Red Sea Spring Season with itineraries from Saudi Arabia.

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