Despite efforts to improve cruising infrastructure and cruise tourism safety standards, the Middle East and Red Sea are still being omitted from many cruise line itineraries in the coming years.
“There has been very little demand for cruises in the Suez Canal and Red Sea, but this is largely because cruise lines are still creating itineraries that avoid these routes. While there are some itineraries that depart from or end in Dubai, there is no demand for other Middle Eastern cruising options in South Africa,” explains Chris Hundolt, Owner and Operator of Cruises for Africa.
Cruise Lines International Association’s State of the Cruise Industry reports over the past two years revealed that, while there was an increase of 4,6% in passenger volume on cruise itineraries passing the Middle East and Africa between 2019 and 2023, there was a significant decrease on these voyages in 2024 due to unrest in the region.
Security and infrastructure
In an attempt to improve security, the Saudi Red Sea Authority published Saudi Arabia’s first-ever regulatory framework for cruise ship operations, with comprehensive guidelines to ensure safety and security for voyages.
According to the authority, the framework clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of ship operators, shipping agents, and port authorities in maintaining the safety of cruise passengers in the region.
Additionally, Saudi Arabia plans to have 10 ports with cruise terminals by 2030 to attract an average 1,3 million cruise passengers a year.
Other countries in the region, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Muscat in Oman, Doha in Qatar, and Abu Dhabi in the Emirates, have continued to invest in ultra-modern cruise terminals and attractions for docking passengers.
Dubai maintains interest
However, Dubai continues to feature in several cruise lines’ itineraries despite the slowdown in the region.
MSC Cruises regularly operates cruises on MSC Euribia, departing from its seasonal homeport in Dubai. MSC’s luxury cruise line, Explora Journeys’ Explora II is to launch several itineraries in the region over the 2026-27 season. Celestyal Cruises’ new Desert Days itinerary departs from either Dubai or Doha to explore the Persian Gulf.
According to Hundolt, the Dubai departures are the few remaining Middle East itineraries that are still being booked by South African travellers, however demand for cruising further into the region is low.
While some cruise lines have voiced their aspirations to return to the region and to redeploy in the Red Sea, such as Windstar, no official itineraries have been announced.
Cruises continue to avoid region
By January 2024, cruise lines, including MSC, Silversea, Holland America Line, Cunard, Princess and Seabourn, had amended their itineraries to avoid the region.
In July this year, Costa Cruises and Aida decided to cancel all their cruise packages in the Middle East for their 2025/26 winter season.
