MSC Cruises has confirmed that MSC Euribia has departed Dubai and has safely transited the Strait of Hormuz while en route to Northern Europe.
The passage was completed in close coordination with the relevant authorities. It was one of six vessels stranded in the Strait after the conflict broke out.
MSC Cruises organised a total of seven flights for more than 1,500 guests who were on board MSC Euribia in Dubai enabling them to leave the region.
MSC Euribia is on course to resume her Northern Europe season, and as the ship can now return sooner than previously anticipated, MSC Cruises confirms that the cruise departing on 16 May from Kiel (and 17 May from Copenhagen) is operating as originally scheduled, with all subsequent sailings operating as planned.
Guests whose cruises were cancelled now have the option to transfer their booking to this sailing should they wish and will be contacted directly with further details.
Earlier Celestyal confirmed the cancellation of all April 2026 departures as its ships waited to reposition to Athens, Greece after being trapped in the Arabian Gulf, with Celestyal Discovery in Dubai, UAE, and Celestyal Journey in Doha, Qatar.
Both ships have since departed and are now off the coast of Oman with next planned departure of Celestyal Discovery a three-night Iconic Greek Islands cruise departing on May 1 and Celestyal Journey offering a seven-night Heavenly Greece, Italy and Croatia cruise departing May 2.
On Friday April 17, Celestyal Discovery, under the command of Captain Nikolaos Vasileiou, became the first cruise vessel to depart the Arabian Gulf, executing a carefully coordinated voyage plan developed in close collaboration with regional authorities and maritime security teams, the line said.
“This pioneering movement established a safe and proven route through the Strait, enabling other cruise operators to follow,” it said.
Building on this, on Saturday April 18, Celestyal Journey, led by Captain Angelos Vasilakos, successfully navigated the same passage, heading a wider convoy of cruise vessels departing the region using the established corridor.
“The voyage plans were developed through extensive coordination with key authorities and security stakeholders, ensuring that all movements were conducted with the highest levels of safety, precision and situational awareness,” the line said.
“Safety remained the absolute priority throughout the operation, with outstanding leadership, expertise and calm command demonstrated by both Captain Vasileiou and Captain Vasilakos, alongside onboard and shoreside teams.”
They were closely by Mein Schiff 5 with Aroya Manara the final ship exiting Dubai as appearing on CruiseMapper.
