Celestyal and MSC Cruises’ Ships Transit Strait of Hormuz Away from Middle East

Five cruise ships transited the Strait of Hormuz during the brief time it was open. Both of Celestyal Cruises’ ships, one MSC Cruises ship, and two ships from German cruise line TUI Cruises, made it out and are now making their way to Europe.

Reports of the ships moving first began Friday with Cruise Hive tracking Celestyal Discovery as it made its way from Dubai across the Strait.

According to Celestyal, the ship “was 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. This pioneering movement established a safe and proven route through the Strait, enabling other cruise operators to follow.”

It was the first of the five ships that were eventually able to transit the Strait after nearly two months trapped in the Middle East.

“Building on this, on Saturday 18 April, Celestyal Journey…successfully navigated the same passage, heading a wider convoy of cruise vessels departing the region using the established corridor,” the spokesperson added.

Both ships are now repositioning to the Mediterranean, where they will commence the upcoming summer season as planned. All future sailings currently on sale will operated as scheduled.

On Saturday, MSC Cruises confirmed that the MSC Euribia had departed Dubai and safely transited the Strait of Hormuz. It is now on its way to Northern Europe.

“MSC Euribia is on course to resume her Northern Europe season, and as the ship will now be able to return sooner than previously anticipated, MSC Cruises confirms that the cruise departing on May 16 from Kiel (and May 17 from Copenhagen) will now operate as originally scheduled, with all subsequent sailings operating as planned, a spokesperson for MSC Cruises said.

Guests whose cruises were canceled will have the option to transfer their booking to this sailing should they wish.