AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises have cancelled their planned operations in the Middle East for the 2025-26 winter season, redeploying ships to Europe, leaving just four ceuise lines operating in the region next winter.
MSC Cruises plans to operate the MSC Euribia in the Arabian Gulf, with itineraries scheduled from November 2025 to March 2026.
TUI Cruises also confirmed its plans to operate two vessels, the Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5, in the Middle East during the same timeframe.
Celestyal will increase its presence in the Middle East, operating two ships from Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai from December 2025 to March 2026.
Aroya Cruises shared its plan to offer itineraries to destinations in Saudi Arabia and Egypt from Jeddah between late September 2025 and early January 2026.
Costa Cruises stated, “Due to what it called a fluid situation in the region, the company has opted to redeploy the Costa Toscana in the Mediterranean.”
