After weeks of uncertainty and delays, multiple cruise ships stranded in the Arabian Gulf are finally making their move — and things are starting to look a lot more positive for upcoming cruise schedules.
Ships Begin Their Journey Out of the Gulf
With the Strait of Hormuz now open for transit, several major ships have seized the opportunity to leave the region and begin repositioning toward Europe.
Among the ships now in motion:
- MSC Euribia
- Celestyal Journey
- Mein Schiff 5
All three are currently heading toward ports in Oman, where they are expected to stop before continuing on to their European homeports.
Meanwhile, Mein Schiff 4 is still docked in Abu Dhabi—but it looks like that could change soon.
A Slow but Steady Exit Strategy
If you’ve been following this situation, you’ll know these ships have been stuck for nearly two months due to safety concerns and restricted movement through the strait.
Now, things are finally shifting.
Here’s what’s happening with each ship:
MSC Euribia
- Previously docked in Dubai.
- Now sailing toward Muscat at a slower pace (~8 knots).
- Expected arrival: April 18 (late evening).
- Still racing against time to make its European cruise season.
Some early sailings have already been cancelled, but there’s still hope for later departures.
Celestyal Journey
- Departed from Doha
- Moving at a faster speed (~18 knots)
- Heading to Khasab (northern Oman)
This stop is likely for:
- Refueling
- Taking on supplies
- Preparing for its Mediterranean deployment
Mein Schiff 5
- Also left Doha
- Traveling at ~17 knots
- Expected to reach Khasab shortly after the Celestyal Journey
The ship is scheduled for:
- Greece itineraries this summer
- Caribbean season is later in the year
What Happens Next?
Let’s be honest—just because these ships are moving doesn’t mean everything is back to normal overnight.
Before they welcome passengers again, a few things need to happen:
- Refueling and restocking supplies.
- Crew members rejoining the ships.
- Final route adjustments depending on timing.
And since these repositioning voyages are happening without passengers onboard, cruise lines have a bit more flexibility to get everything sorted properly.
One Ship Still Waiting
Not every ship has made its move yet.
Mein Schiff 4 is still sitting in Abu Dhabi, even though it was supposed to begin its Mediterranean season already.
There’s a strong chance:
- Its route will be adjusted.
- It may take a faster path toward Europe.
- Departure could happen any day now.
The Bigger Picture
Over the past two months, this situation has caused:
- Dozens of cancelled cruises.
- Major schedule disruptions.
- Ships stuck far from where they needed to be.
And while tensions in the region have been high, one key takeaway stands out:
No cruise ships were damaged during the conflict, despite some close calls.
Final Thoughts
For cruise fans and travelers watching closely, this is a big turning point.
- Ships are finally moving again.
- Schedules may slowly recover.
- And cruise lines are getting back on track.
It’s not fully back to normal yet—but this is the clearest sign so far that things are heading in the right direction.
