Cruise lines moved quickly to pull ships from the Red Sea and Israel last year, but planning for the spring, when ships pass through the Suez Canal on their way back from world cruises, seemed a long way off. Now these voyages are continuing, spring is on the way and the situation in the Red Sea has entered an even more dangerous phase.
Here’s everything you need to know about how the conflict with Houthi rebels in the Red Sea region could affect your upcoming trip.
What’s going on in the Red Sea?
Shipping companies, including MSC’s cargo arm Hapag-Lloyd and AP Moller-Maersk, stopped Suez crossings in December after missile and drone attacks on ships by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis. BP likewise suspended canal crossings, instead sending tankers around Africa to the Mediterranean, increasing the journey time by two weeks.
On the night of January 11, the USA and the UK responded by launching air strikes on military bases in Yemen. More than 60 targets were hit at 16 locations. The Houthis have vowed retaliation.
Which cruise ships operate in this region?
Greece’s Variety Cruises would operate winter sun cruises between Ashdod in Israel and Aqaba in Jordan, passing through the Suez Canal. They were scrapped after war broke out between Israel and Gaza in October.
Silversea’s Silver Moon is in the last few days of a supposed 10-night cruise from Aqaba in Jordan to Muscat in Oman. Instead, it was converted to a round-trip Aqaba trip, which was still 10 nights and ended on January 16, and the next trip from Muscat to Dubai was cancelled.
Peter Shanks, Silversea’s UK and Ireland managing director, said the company was rearranging flights for guests on the changed cruise line. They also receive a $500 cruise credit each and a 50 percent discount on future cruises. “Our guests were very understanding,” he added.
Have the routes changed in light of the increased conflict?
Like Variety, MSC Cruises and Oceania Cruises also canceled all sailings calling in Israel last October.
MSC also canceled the Suez transit at the start of a 121-day eastbound world cruise in January 2024. His ship, MSC Poesia, will instead circumnavigate Africa. A spokesperson said they retained the same number of destinations (50) as well as the highlights of the original route.
Attention now focuses on cruise lines such as P&O Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line and Azamara, which each have ships on world cruises that will transit Suez on their way back to the Mediterranean in March or April.
A spokesperson for P&O Cruises confirmed that they are monitoring the situation daily with the relevant authorities. “We will notify guests if any changes to the itinerary are necessary. The safety, security and well-being of guests and crew is our absolute priority.”
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines said it is making no changes to its world cruise schedules, including a planned voyage through the Suez Canal in early April. “We continue to communicate regularly with the relevant authorities and assess all risks. “If the risk increases, of course we will implement our emergency program.”
Cunard and Holland America also stated that they were monitoring the situation. HAL said it would notify guests of any updates “at the earliest opportunity”.
Will I get a refund if I want to cancel?
In the current situation, it will be more likely that cruise lines will be canceled before you get the chance.
If you decide to cancel the cruise for any reason, you will be subject to normal cancellation fees. However, if the FCDO advises against all travel to the region, companies must offer an alternative holiday or a full refund.
Guests on Silver Moon’s canceled cruise can choose to receive a full refund or switch to another 2024 cruise, Shanks said. “We are always very reasonable and believe we should compensate guests when things don’t go as they expected,” he said.
World cruisers may not be so lucky, seeing their ships diverted to Africa rather than passing through Suez. None of the lines contacted would comment on possible refunds or compensation if guests do not want this additional journey and choose to disembark early.
P&O said: “If we decide to change the itinerary based on our own assessment of the situation or advice from authorities such as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), we will notify guests of the revised itinerary and any other impact on cruising on a case-by-case basis.”
Is it safe to book a Red Sea cruise later in the year?
No one has any idea how long this conflict will last or whether it will escalate further. Cruise lines are not risk-takers, so unless this process is completed quicker than most expect, there’s a good chance there won’t be any cruises on the Red Sea in the near future.