MSC Cruises grew to become the fourth cruise line to cancel its deliberate winter season in the Middle East for 2026-27.
Following comparable bulletins from Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises and Explora Journeys, the corporate revealed its choice in late March.
As the most important ship in the area, the MSC World Europa was scheduled to supply cruises in the Arabian Gulf between November 2026 and March 2027.
Sailing from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, the ship’s itineraries included visits to locations in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain.
In a press launch, MSC stated that the cancellation was related to a revision of its winter deployment, which was aimed toward reinforcing its presence in the Caribbean.
With its Middle East operations cancelled, the World Europa is now scheduled to supply itineraries departing from the French Antilles.
The 5,400-passenger ship will change the MSC Seaview, which was initially set to function in the area and can now sail in South America.
Also a part of the MSC Cruises Group, Explora Journeys had already cancelled its plans for the Arabian Gulf in 2026-27.
As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the corporate will redeploy the Explora II, introducing a winter season in the Western Mediterranean.
The upscale model said that the change was supposed to “provide guests and travel advisors with clarity and confidence” as they plan their future journeys.
Two Carnival-owned corporations, Costa and AIDA, had been the primary to withdraw their ships from the Middle East forward of the 2026-27 season.
The European manufacturers cancelled their seasons in mid-March in favor of latest winter packages in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
While 4 corporations have now redeployed their ships, three different manufacturers haven’t introduced adjustments to their deliberate 2026-27 seasons in the Arabian Gulf: TUI, Aroya and Celestyal.
Sailing from ports in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the companies plan to deploy four ships in the region between November and April.
