Luxury cruise line redirects winter 2026–2027 sailings to the Mediterranean as several ships remain stranded in the region.
Luxury cruise operator Explora Journeys has announced it will cancel its planned Middle East cruise program for the winter 2026–2027 season, citing the continuing regional conflict that has disrupted cruise operations across the area.
The decision affects the deployment of the luxury vessel Explora II, which had originally been scheduled to operate itineraries across the Arabian Gulf and surrounding destinations. Instead, the ship will sail exclusively in the Mediterranean from November 2026 to March 2027.
In a statement shared with travel advisors and passengers, the company said the move was made to provide clarity for travellers planning upcoming voyages.
“This decision has been taken well in advance, following careful consideration and reflecting Explora Journeys’ commitment to providing guests and travel advisors with clarity and confidence as they plan their future journeys.”
Middle East Itineraries Replaced with Mediterranean Routes
The previously planned itineraries for Explora II included destinations across the Middle East such as:
- Bahrain
- United Arab Emirates
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia
- Egypt
Instead, the cruise line will introduce a new Western Mediterranean and North African programme, focusing on cultural and coastal destinations.
Planned ports include:
- Casablanca
- Funchal
- Ibiza
- Santorini
- Capri
Passengers will also have the opportunity to experience seasonal events such as New Year’s Eve celebrations in Cannes and other festive experiences at sea.
The cruise line said full itinerary details will be announced by the end of March.
Support for Affected Passengers
To assist travellers impacted by the schedule change, Explora Journeys is offering several compensation options.
Passengers who choose to rebook on alternative sailings will receive:
- 10% discount on new bookings (valid until 30 April)
- $500 (€433.7) shore excursion credit per traveller
The company stated it is working closely with travel advisors and guests to provide alternative cruise options where possible.
Future Middle East Plans Remain
Despite the cancellation for the upcoming winter season, the cruise line confirmed that it still plans to return to the region in future deployments.
The ships Explora I and Explora V are currently scheduled to operate Arabian Peninsula and Red Sea itineraries during the 2027–2028 winter season.
The upcoming Explora V, expected to launch in December 2027, will initially sail Mediterranean routes before expanding to the Middle East. The vessel will also incorporate fuel cell technology, reflecting the company’s push toward cleaner cruise operations.
Regional Conflict Disrupts Cruise Industry
Explora Journeys is the latest cruise operator to adjust its plans due to the ongoing Middle East crisis, which has left several ships stranded in regional ports.
Celestyal Cruises has also been forced to cancel multiple itineraries as its vessels remain stuck in Dubai and Doha, preventing repositioning voyages back to Europe.
Among the affected sailings are:
- A three-night and four-night Greek Islands itinerary aboard Celestyal Discovery scheduled for 3 April and 6 April
- A seven-night cruise aboard Celestyal Journey visiting Greece, Montenegro, Croatia and Italy
- A 14-night Mediterranean cruise originally planned to depart on 4 April
These cancelled itineraries included ports such as:
- Heraklion
- Kusadasi
- Mykonos
- Patmos
- Rhodes
- Dubrovnik
- Kotor
- Bari
- Corfu
These cancellations follow four additional cruises scrapped in March, highlighting the growing operational challenges cruise lines face due to the ongoing conflict.
Outlook
The ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are increasingly affecting cruise schedules, forcing operators to adjust deployments and redirect ships to safer regions such as the Mediterranean.
For cruise lines, maintaining passenger safety and schedule reliability remains the top priority as they navigate evolving conditions in the region.
