All impacted guests have been offered a full refund or a future cruise credit, and will be supported by the firm’s teams, who will provide rebooking options and assistance.
Celestyal Cruises’ Discovery vessel is currently docked in Dubai (stock)(Image: Supplied)
A major cruise line has cancelled all its April sailings as the impact of the Iran war on travel worsens.
Celestyal has confirmed the cancellation of all April 2026 departures as its ships wait to reposition to Athens, Greece.
The line’s fleet is currently positioned in the Arabian Gulf, with Celestyal Discovery in Dubai, UAE, and Celestyal Journey in Doha, Qatar. All guests and non-operational crew have been disembarked, while both vessels remain fully operational. The cruise line announced that staff and crew’s departure from the region will take place in accordance with safety guidance from the relevant authorities.
“Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, all sailings scheduled for April 2026 have been cancelled,” a statement from Celestyal read.
The next planned departures are:
• Celestyal Discovery – May 1, 2026 (3-night Iconic Greek Islands)
• Celestyal Journey – May 2, 2026 (7-night Heavenly Greece, Italy and Croatia)
Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal, said: “Our priority remains the safety and confidence of our guests, crew and partners. While we know this will be disappointing, taking this decision now provides greater clarity and flexibility for those affected. Our teams are working closely with guests and travel partners to support rebooking options and ensure a smooth transition, and we remain focused on returning to service in the Mediterranean as soon as it is safe to do so.”
All impacted guests have been offered a full refund or a future cruise credit, and will be supported by Celestyal’s teams, who will provide rebooking options and assistance.
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The news comes as senior figures from the energy, shipping and banking sectors prepare to meet Sir Keir Starmer as Donald Trump hinted the conflict with Iran could intensify.
Oil prices surged after the US president revealed he was weighing up a military operation to take control of Iran’s Kharg Island, a critical component of the country’s export infrastructure.
The Downing Street talks are expected to centre on Iran’s continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has severely disrupted a key shipping route for the oil and gas industry, as well as supplies of other goods such as fertiliser.
The gathering will include representatives from energy giants Shell and BP, shipping behemoth Maersk, maritime insurance specialist Lloyd’s of London, and banking heavyweights HSBC and Goldman Sachs.
Major General Richard Cantrill, the UK’s maritime operations commander, will also brief those in attendance on the latest developments in the region.
This follows the Royal Navy’s announcement that it is equipping the transport vessel RFA Lyme Bay with minehunting drones — a move widely understood to be aimed at giving ministers options for securing the strait once conditions allow.
Downing Street confirmed the purpose of the meeting was to hear directly from businesses and explore how the Government and private sector can join forces in tackling the ongoing conflict.
The No 10 summit is expected to be followed by a Cobra meeting on Tuesday, where senior ministers will assess the continuing economic damage caused by the war, Sir Keir has suggested. The summit follows Mr Trump’s comments that he could “take the oil in Iran” or potentially seize control of Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub.