Cruise lines maintain confidence in Arabian Gulf despite short-term disruption
Despite short-term deployment changes by some cruise operators, cruise lines continue to signal long-term confidence in the Arabian Gulf as a winter cruise destination, with multiple ships already open for booking in the 2027/28 season.
Recent announcements by Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises confirmed that both brands will not operate cruises in the Middle East during the winter of 2026/27, with ships redeployed to alternative regions.
Costa Smeralda will instead operate itineraries in the Canary Islands and Madeira, while AIDAprima’s planned Gulf programme has also been withdrawn for that season.
Cruise lines maintain confidence in Arabian Gulf despite short-term disruption
