Another Cruise Line Ends Middle Eastern Season Early As Tensions Rise
Key Aspects:
AROYA Cruises has officially cancelled all future sailings in the Persian Gulf for the remainder of the current season.
All guests have been able to safely disembark from the brand’s only ship, Aroya, in Dubai.
However, the 3,362-guest vessel will remain in Dubai until further notice.
Another cruise line has scrapped its season in the Middle East as the region becomes more of a war zone every day.
AROYA Cruises, which is a young cruise line based in Saudi Arabia, officially cancelled the remainder of its cruises based out of the Persian Gulf (also known as the Arabian Gulf) for the remainder of the 2026 season.
The 2023-launched brand currently operates one ship, Aroya, that was supposed to be operating 3- to 7-night itineraries out of Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, and Dammam through May of 2026.
“Due to ongoing regional operational considerations and in coordination with the relevant maritime and national authorities, AROYA Cruises will not proceed with the remaining sailings scheduled in the Arabian Gulf for the current season,” AROYA Cruises told Cruise Hive in a statement.
“The safety, security, and comfort of our guests and crew remain our highest priority and continue to guide every operational decision we make,” the statement continued.
This is in line with actions taken by the more mainstream cruise lines in the region. For example, MSC Cruises also ended its Middle Eastern season early.
Similarly, TUI Cruises and Celestyal Cruises have suspended operations for its ships in the region, and are working on flying stranded passengers home.
AROYA Passengers Safely Disembarked
According to cruise tracking data, the 3,362-guest Aroya is currently docked in Dubai – along with MSC Euribia and Celestyal Discovery.
As of the time of publication, the port area in Dubai is considered secure and is operating with enhanced security procedures. These conditions allowed all guests onboard Aroya to safely disembark on March 7, 2026.
“All guests were safely disembarked in Dubai on 7 March, with the safety, security, and wellbeing of our guests and crew guiding this process,” the cruise line confirmed.
“We are supporting our guests as they arrange their onward travel and providing guidance and assistance throughout this process,” the brand added.
The specifics of the support available has not been clarified, but it seems guests are in charge of making their own arrangements. This is different from brands like MSC Cruises and TUI Cruises, which are booking flights on behalf of their guests.
What’s Next For Aroya?
For now, the 151,000-gross ton ship will remain docked in Dubai until it is safe to sail away from the Middle Eastern destination.
It’s not yet safe to traverse the narrow Strait of Hormuz, which is dangerously close to Iran and provides the only access to the open ocean.
Starting on May 14, 2026, the ship is supposed to operate a short series of 3- to 8-night sailings from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and it’s unclear at this time if these will be possible.
The destination is in western Saudi Arabia and not in the Persian Gulf, but may still be too close to the conflict for comfort.
The ship will next proceed to Istanbul, Turkey, where it will homeport from June 6, 2026, until September 12, 2026. During this time, the ship is slated to operate 7-night itineraries to destinations throughout Turkey and Egypt.
This is still a developing situation and Cruise Hive will continue monitoring for itinerary and operational changes in the coming weeks to months.
Another Cruise Line Ends Middle Eastern Season Early As Tensions Rise