Arabian Gulf Update: Cruise Lines Cancel Remaining Sailings in the Region

Posted on 13 March, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Arabian Gulf Update: Cruise Lines Cancel Remaining Sailings in the Region

Amid ongoing security concerns and regional operational challenges, multiple cruise lines have now cancelled the remainder of their 2025-26 winter deployments in the Arabian Gulf.

MSC

With sailings in the region through early April, MSC Cruises cancelled the remainder of its 2025-26 season in the Middle East.

In its cancellation statement, the company said that the decision was made to prioritize the safety and well-being of its guests and crew while following the guidance of the regional military authorities.

The MSC Euribia was scheduled to offer five additional departures in the Arabian Gulf, with itineraries visiting the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.

Celestyal

Operating its two ships in the region for the winter, Celestyal Cruises cancelled the remainder of its season in the Arabian Gulf earlier this month.

With the Celestyal Journey and the Celestyal Discovery stuck in the region, the company also had to cancel the first cruises of the season in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In a statement shared earlier this week, Celestyal said that it is “still in the process of finalizing operational arrangements” for the vessel’s repositioning voyages to Europe.

TUI

TUI Cruises is another cruise line with two ships currently in the Arabian Gulf, the Mein Schiff 4 and the Mein Schiff 5.

In an update published on its website, the company said that it decided to cancel sailings in the region due to travel and safety advice issued by the German Foreign Office.

As a result, sailings scheduled to take place onboard the Mein Schiff 4 through March 23, 2026, will no longer take place. Similarly, all cruises onboard the Mein Schiff 5 through March 12, 2026, have also been cancelled.

Aroya

Aroya Cruises cancelled all of its upcoming cruises planned for the 2025-26 season in the Arabian Gulf.

In a statement shared with Cruise Industry News, the company said that the decision was related to “ongoing regional operational considerations” and was made in coordination with the relevant maritime and national authorities.

After arriving in the United Arab Emirates in late February, the Aroya was scheduled to sail in the region through early May.

Costa and AIDA

Two traditional players in the region, Costa and AIDA Cruises cancelled their seasons in the Arabian Gulf in mid-2025.

The brands planned to operate itineraries in the Arabian Gulf between November 2025 and March 2026 onboard the Costa Toscana and the AIDAprima, respectively.

In similar statements, the Carnival-owned brands said that the decision was related to a fluid situation in the region and aimed to give guests certainty.

MSC Cruises to Upgrade Ocean Cay with Extended Pier

Posted on 2 February, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Cruises to Upgrade Ocean Cay with Extended Pier

MSC Cruises has announced upgrades to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the cruise line’s private island in The Bahamas.

The island will receive new facilities to enhance the guest experience and an extended pier to accommodate two ships calling simultaneously, due for completion in late 2027.

Ocean Cay opened in late 2019 and became a guest-favorite destination on MSC Cruises’ Caribbean itineraries.

The cruise line transformed the former industrial site into a private island destination.

Guests visiting the island from late 2027 can expect new restaurants and bars, a dedicated adults-only beach, a fully equipped family lagoon and more cabanas available to rent.

Four new dining experiences will be added to the island, bringing the total to seven venues.

A signature specialty restaurant will be added alongside new buffets and food market options.

Seakers Cove Family Beach will receive an upgrade with new experiences, including a kids’ playground, a splashpad and a ropes course with water elements. The area will also feature ping-pong and foosball.

Paradise Sands, an exclusive retreat for adults, will allow adults to relax by day before the space then transforms into a spot to sip cocktails and let loose at sunset.

The new MSC Foundation Shifting Perspective Experience will invite guests to explore marine conservation through hands-on experiences, from coral restoration to interactive exploration of ocean ecosystems.

Ocean Cay was designated a Hope Spot by Mission Blue in 2023, recognized as an area of key importance in supporting biodiversity and safeguarding sea life.

Construction work has begun on extending the pier to accommodate two ships.

Currently, one vessel can dock directly at Ocean Cay, but the pier extension will allow two ships to dock simultaneously.

Work continues on developing a second private island destination adjacent to Ocean Cay.

This island, known internally as Little Cay, will offer pristine beaches and luxury facilities.

MSC Opens New Cruise Terminal in Miami

Posted on 7 April, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Cruises officially opened its new massive cruise terminal in PortMiami during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday.

The event was attended by key executives of the company and partners, in addition to local and national authorities from the United States and Italy.

Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division, took the stage during the ceremony to highlight the new facility and thank all partners involved in the project.

Also present were Rick Sasso, MSC Cruises’ chairman in the United States; Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and managing director of Fincantieri Group; Mariangela Zappia, Italian ambassador to the United States; On. Edoardo Rixi, Italian deputy minister of infrastructure and transport; J. Alex Kelly, Florida secretary of commerce; Heidi Webb, port director; and Daniella Levine Cara, mayor of Miami-Dade county.

According to the company, the new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal is the most technologically advanced and sets a global benchmark for cruise infrastructure.

The new facility is also the first in the industry to implement a complete biometric journey with digital identity verification, MSC said, to provide a seamless embarkation experience.

Designed by global design firm Arquitectonica and built by Fincantieri Infrastructure, the MSC Miami Cruise Terminal is able to process up to 36,000 passengers daily.

Three ships can dock simultaneously, with the facility occupying 492,678 square feet of area.

In his speech, Vago highlighted various aspects of the project, including its facade artwork and a new automatic baggage handling process designed in partnership with Leonardo.

“It’s a fully automated system that will load 27,000 pieces of luggage each day,” he said, noting the designers did a fantastic job with the project.

Vago also said that the new terminal focuses on passenger experience and sustainability.

“Our new terminal not only combines innovative design and technology but is also designed with energy efficiency and environment in mind,” he explained.

Among the green features of the facility is its shore power capability and a LEED Gold Certification.

The new terminal was developed to provide an experience where “every step is carefully streamlined for a stress-free embarkation,” the company added.

The facility will serve both MSC Cruises’ and Explora Journeys’ ships sailing from PortMiami, including MSC Cruises’ new flagship, the MSC World America.

Currently sailing to Florida after being delivered, the LNG-powered vessel will be named during a ceremony at the terminal on April 9, 2025.

The terminal also offers a six-level garage with over 2,400 parking spaces, which can be reserved in advance via the MSC for Me app or the MSC Cruises website.

There is a covered drop-off zone for buses, taxis and ride shares. All forms of arrival share a covered path straight to the terminal’s main entrance.

Guests who have opted into the biometric journey can simply scan their passport and look at the camera of one of the terminal’s 18 biometric face pods for validation.

The terminal uses 22 biometric E-gates to finalize the embarkation process before guests enter the gangway.

According to MSC, embarking will now be performed on the terminal side rather than on the vessel, allowing guests to start their holiday immediately.

Other highlights of the facility include a design that favors natural light and spacious waiting areas facing Biscayne Bay.

Guests of the MSC Yacht Club, the cruise line’s luxury “ship-within-a-ship” concept, also have exclusive access to a private lounge to enjoy drinks and snacks.

Guests will discover seven curated works of art commissioned through the Miami-Dade County Art in Public Places program.

The most striking piece is a first-of-its-kind 10,816-square-foot digitally projected installation that adorns the exterior of the terminal, using real-time NOAA oceanic data to create an ever-evolving display of tides, currents and weather patterns.

Additional exclusive artwork will enhance the MSC Yacht Club’s private lounge.