Celestyal has ended its Arabian Gulf season with the cancellation of four more departures due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East

The US-Israel military action in Iran entered its fifth day on Wednesday (4 March), following escalations at the weekend where air strikes killed Iranian leader Ali Khamenei. Iran responded by bombing US allies in the region, including Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Celestyal initially cancelled two departures: one from Dubai and another from Abu Dhabi.

The line has now confirmed it has cancelled four more sailings: two from Doha, scheduled to depart on 7 and 14 March, and two from Dubai, scheduled to depart on 9 and 16 March.

All passengers who were due to travel on the cancelled sailings will be offered the option of a full refund or a future cruise credit.

With the cancellation of the remaining scheduled sailings, Celestyal’s Arabian Gulf season has concluded. Subject to operational conditions, Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery will reposition to Athens to begin their scheduled summer programmes in the Mediterranean.

The war in Iran has led to widespread travel chaos, which Advantage Travel Partnership CEO Julia Lo Bue-Said described as the worst since the pandemic, with cruise lines and airlines forced to cancel departures and many passengers left without clear instructions on what to do next.

Agents have been working to support customers in the region and to reassure those due to travel in the coming days, weeks and months, but the trade has warned there is “no doubt” the conflict will impact long-term travel sentiment.