Six ships are stranded. The Gulf war could impact your next cruise too

Nobody goes on a cruise holiday expecting an outbreak of war or missiles to fall near their ship, but for passengers on six cruise ships now stranded in the Persian Gulf, that has become a nightmare reality.

Missile strikes on Iran by America and Israel followed by retaliatory strikes on Persian Gulf states and across the Middle East have thrown travel plans into chaos. But while air passengers are getting most of the media attention, cruise passengers are stuck in the crossfire too.

Some 15,000 cruise passengers and over 6000 crew are docked in limbo in Gulf ports that have been the subject of Iranian missile or drone attacks.

Bild reported a missile strike in Abu Dhabi harbour on Sunday near Mein Schiff 4, owned by TUI Cruises, which carries 2506 passengers and 1030 crew. The German newspaper published a photo taken by a passenger of black smoke rising from naval warehouses and reported that guests had received emergency alerts on their mobile phones. They were instructed to stay indoors and avoid windows and balconies.

The ship remains docked in Abu Dhabi, and sister ship Mein Schiff 5 in Doha. Some passengers off the latter ship had already embarked on aeroplanes at Doha airport when flights were cancelled. They were eventually returned to the ship without their luggage.

Another large cruise ship, MSC Euribia, which carries 6327 passengers and 1711 crew, is docked in Dubai “following the guidance of the regional US military authorities,” according to an MSC spokesperson.

It, too, has cancelled its forthcoming itineraries. “Airspace in the region remains closed and we are actively in contact with embassies and foreign offices to ensure they have the relevant information about their nationals on board and to understand any repatriation plans being developed,” the MSC Cruises statement added.

Meanwhile, boutique Greek company Celestyal Cruises, which has greatly expanded its Persian Gulf itineraries in the last two years, has two ships in the region, which together carry 2620 guests and 1020 crew.

Celestyal Journey is docked in Doha, where guests have been given the choice to stay on board or disembark.

Those on Celestyal Discovery are currently docked in Dubai where “at present, in line with instructions from local authorities, we are unable to disembark guests,” a company spokesperson said on March 1. “We are working closely with the relevant authorities and will begin disembarkation in Dubai as soon as permission is granted.”

Dubai’s international airport is already dealing with tens of thousands of stranded airline passengers and has sustained minor damage from Iranian strikes. Celestyal Cruises says its ships will remain docked until March 7 pending updates.

Saudi-owned Aroya Manara is the sixth cruise ship caught up in the conflict. It made its maiden voyage to Doha only last week at the start of a Persian Gulf season meant to last until May. The vessel has taken shelter in Dubai with 1023 passengers and 1103 crew on board.

It remains uncertain how or when passengers and staff on cruise ships can be evacuated. US president Donald Trump has suggested combat operations may continue for several weeks, and Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic. The narrow strait provides the only access out of the Persian Gulf.

Celestyal Cruises is offering passengers a full refund or future cruise credit. MSC will give passengers a full refund, while TUI is offering a full refund and 10 per cent discount on any new cruise booking.

It isn’t only those currently in the Persian Gulf who are affected by the volatile situation. Many Australians have upcoming cruises in Europe with flights booked on Middle Eastern airlines.

If you’re one of them, contact your cruise line and airline about potential flight cancellations or rerouting. Note that cruise lines are unlikely to cover the costs for flights booked independently rather than as part of cruise packages.

With reduced airline capacity out of Australia, price hikes have already been reported on fares with South-East Asian and Chinese airlines.

Your travel insurance is unlikely to cover you for acts of war, so even if the cruise company refunds your fare, you won’t be covered for anything else you’ve organised, such as accommodation. You may however be entitled to refunds from your tour operator, travel agency or credit-card company.

Another knock-on effect will be changes to future cruise itineraries that feature Persian Gulf or wider Middle Eastern ports. Among cruise lines that were expected to visit Gulf ports are Celebrity, Celestyal, Costa, Cunard, Explora Journeys, MSC, Oceania and Royal Caribbean.

Cruise companies haven’t yet announced changes at this stage but will almost certainly do so. Check with your cruise line. If a cruise is cancelled, you’ll be refunded. However, minor changes to itineraries – for example, if Dubai is removed as a port call on a world or Asian cruise – you won’t be compensated.