MSC Cruises has cancelled its MSC World Europa's Middle East routes until April 2027 amid continued regional tensions.
The passenger vessel had been scheduled to sail around the Gulf from November 2026 until April of the following year, but it will instead voyage through the Caribbean.
Guests who hold bookings on the ship over the Winter 2026-2027 period will be contacted directly and will be “provided with clear, comprehensive information regarding their options, including the possibility to move their booking to another sailing or request a full refund”, the cruise liner wrote on its website.
In place of the Gulf route, MSC World Europa will now operate seven- and 14-night cruises around the French Antilles, leaving from Fort-de-France (Martinique), PointeàPitre (Guadeloupe) and Bridgetown (Barbados). The ship will then follow the original winter route of the MSC Seaview, calling at destinations including Saint Lucia, Grenada, St. Maarten/Netherlands Antilles, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Roseau and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
As it's no longer needed for the Caribbean journey, the MSC Seaview will be redeployed to fulfil a new itinerary around Brazil and Argentina – with the exact route to be revealed “soon”.
The news comes as cruise ships in the Gulf remain stranded due to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. At least six vessels have been remaining in the region since late February, raising concerns over delays to the Mediterranean summer season and the knock-on impact on Europe’s busiest cruise markets.
In Dubai, the MSC Euribia remains berthed after its winter programme ended early, while in Doha and Abu Dhabi, vessels operated by TUI Cruises and Celestyal Cruises have had their sailings suspended. Further along the coast in Dammam on Saudi Arabia's eastern flank, Aroya Cruises’ flagship has also halted operations following the curtailment of its inaugural season.
Looking ahead to winter 2027 and early 2028, MSC plans to reinstate its Gulf route. The cruise liner has already opened bookings for the trips, which will be stopping at Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sir Bani Yas, Bahrain and Doha.
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