By
Laura Hyde |
A number of cruise ships successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf over the weekend and are expected to welcome passengers back onboard within weeks.
The waterway was declared closed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in March 2026 following US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, which began on 28 February. All passengers and non-essential crew were previously evacuated from the ships.
MSC Cruises’ MSC Euribia is en route to Northern Europe where it will arrive ahead of schedule to begin summer sailings in the region on 16 May from Kiel, Germany. All subsequent sailings will operate as originally planned.
TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 are heading to the Mediterranean where they will spend the summer season.
Celestyal Cruises’ Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey were also able to safely transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Celestyal Discovery is currently in the Arabian Sea cruising to Suez Canal; it is scheduled to sail a three-day roundtrip ‘Iconic Greek Islands’ cruise from 1 May, while Celestyal Journey is repositioning to Cape Town ahead of sailing a seven-day roundtrip ‘Heavenly Greece, Italy and Croatia’ itinerary on 2 May.
Aroya Cruises’ Aroya Manara is sailing to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where it is scheduled to welcome passengers for a three-day roundtrip cruise on 14 May.