After weeks stuck in limbo in the Arabian Gulf, a flotilla of five cruise ships has passed through the Strait of Hormuz en route to their long-delayed European cruising seasons.
Celestyal Discovery First Ship Through Strait of Hormuz
Celestyal Cruises’ Celestyal Discovery was the first to sail through on Friday. Sister ship Celestyal Journey also made it through the strait safely. MSC Cruises confirmed MSC Euribia is safely out, as did TUI Cruises’ ships, Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5.
TUI Cruises paid tribute to its crew and “all those who supported and enabled the safe passage with great professionalism and prudence.” The company added that the focus is now on the ships’ onward journey toward the Mediterranean.
The Saudi Arabia-based Aroya Manara, previously the only major cruise ship still in the Gulf, has now departed Dammam and is heading toward the Strait of Hormuz, though its transit remains uncertain given current conditions.
Although the five European-owned ships made it through the conflict zone, it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. They transited during a narrow window before Iran reimposed restrictions on the strait hours later, citing tensions tied to the U.S. military presence in the region. Iranian officials said “strict controls” had been restored.
One Cruise Ship Reported a Possible Incident
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that a cruise ship may have been involved in an incident off the coast of Oman. A ship captain reported a “splash in close proximity” caused by an unknown projectile. Authorities have not identified which cruise ship was involved.
Separately, two India-flagged cargo ships, including a tanker, were reportedly fired upon after not receiving authorization from Iran to transit the strait.
MSC Cruises said MSC Euribia will begin its Northern Europe season in mid-May.
“MSC Euribia has departed Dubai, safely transited the Strait of Hormuz, and is now en route to Northern Europe. The passage was completed in close coordination with the relevant authorities,” the cruise line said.
“The ship will now be able to return sooner than previously anticipated. Departures on May 16 from Kiel and May 17 from Copenhagen will operate as originally scheduled.” Guests with canceled cruises will have the option to transfer their bookings.
Celestyal Discovery is now bound for the Suez Canal (South Anchorage), with an estimated arrival on April 24, as it continues its repositioning voyage toward Europe.
