Celestyal Cruises has cancelled a number of of its upcoming itineraries, citing continued geopolitical tensions within the Crimson Sea.
The cancellations embody two 14-night repositioning cruises aboard the 55,877-gross-ton Celestyal Journey that had been scheduled to depart on October 26, 2024, and March 8, 2025.
The cruises had been set to sail on an “Historical Athens to Dazzling Doha” and its counterpart, “Dazzling Doha to Historical Athens.” The voyages would take company to Ephesus, Turkey; Port Mentioned, Sharm Ek Sheikh, and the Suez Canal in Egypt; Muscat, Oman; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
As an alternative, the cruise line will undertake a 34-night non-commercial repositioning cruise to and from Doha, Qatar. This determination has additionally led to the cancellation of the primary three scheduled “Desert Days” itineraries, which had been set to depart from Doha on November 9, 16, and 23, 2024.
These itineraries included calls in Khalifa Bin Salman, Bahrain; Dubai; Khasab, Oman; Sir Bani Yas and Abu Dhabi, and United Arab Emirates.
To accommodate the prolonged repositioning, Celestyal Cruises has additionally cancelled the primary three “Heavenly Adriatic” itineraries deliberate for 2025, initially set to depart on March 22, 29, and April 5.
These voyages, departing from Athens, Greece, included stops in Kefallinia, Corfu, and Olympia, Greece; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; and Bari, Italy.
“We not too long ago introduced our full cruise program by way of to March 2027 to construct simplicity and assurance into our choices.
In gentle of the present geopolitical local weather in our authentic path of passage to this yr’s winter season, we have now determined to function longer non-commercial repositioning sailings to and from Qatar,” the cruise line mentioned in an announcement.
It additionally went on to say it “will proceed to proudly homeport in Doha from November 2024 for the subsequent three winter seasons.”
Celestyal Journey’s maiden voyage within the Arabian Gulf, a 7-night “Desert Days & Qatar Grand Prix” cruise, will now depart from Doha on November 30, 2024. Its inaugural season consists of 9 of those itineraries, with passengers given the choice to embark in Doha, Abu Dhabi, or Dubai.
Affected passengers have been supplied the chance to switch their reserving to a different Celestyal cruise, both inside the similar area or to a distinct vacation spot. Passengers can even elect to rebook on one of many various itineraries nonetheless out there.
Moreover, impacted company can go for a future credit score that may be utilized to any Celestyal voyage by way of March 2027. For individuals who don’t want to rebook, full reimbursement of the unique reserving price is being supplied.
Company will obtain the refund to their authentic reserving technique. They can even immediately obtain refunds for cancelled excursions, though passengers who booked their very own actions will probably be required to work with suppliers for cancellations and refunds.
Cruise Strains Keep away from Crimson Sea in 2024
The Crimson Sea area has been experiencing heightened geopolitical tensions because the begin of 2024, notably resulting from ongoing conflicts and territorial disputes in encompass areas.
Learn Additionally: The Affect of Crimson Sea Tensions on Cruising
The strategic significance of the Crimson Sea as a serious maritime hall connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean by way of the Suez Canal has led to elevated army presence and occasional clashes with rebels primarily focusing on cargo ships.
Cruise traces like Celestyal working in or close to the Crimson Sea have opted to reroute or cancel itineraries to keep away from potential risks, comparable to MSC Cruises’ MSC Virtuosa, which was the primary to keep away from the world in January 2024.
Its Grand Voyage section from Dubai to Southampton, England, was rerouted across the Cape of Good Hope.
Different ships, comparable to Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Daybreak and Costa Cruises’ Costa Toscana, selected to keep away from the Suez Canal passage, opting as an alternative for prolonged stays within the Arabian Guld and the Mediterranean.
