cruises

SEVERAL cruises have been cancelled amid growing regional tensions in the Middle East, as some ships have been left ‘stuck’ in ports.

A number of cruise lines are cancelling European sailings following a number of ships getting stuck in ports in Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi amid conflict in the Middle East.

European cruises cancelled include two Celestyal Cruises sailings on March 20 and March 23 in the Aegean Sea.

This is because the Celestyal Discovery has not yet been able to leave Dubai as it needs to travel through The Strait of Hormuz which is currently closed due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Guests who were booked on the Greek sailings have been offered a full refund or can opt for cruise credit.

MSC Cruises has cancelled its three remaining winter cruises from Dubai that were due to set sail between March 14 and 28 as MSC Euribia remains docked in Dubai port.

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Aroya Cruises has also cancelled all cruises for the remainder of the season.

As for TUI, two ships previously stuck in the Strait have resulted in cruises being cancelled up to March 16 for Mein Schiff 4 and March 12 for Mein Schiff 5.

While the final passengers are on their way home via flight, the ships remain in the area.

The main issue for cruise ships at the moment in regards to the conflict, is that since March 2 the Strait of Hormuz has been closed.

This means any ships, so not just cruise ships, are currently not travelling the Strait of Hormuz.

This impacts cruises mainly heading to Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Normally, between 10 and 14 cruises travel through the Strait each week during the winter season (November to March).

A spokesperson for AROYA Cruises commented: “Due to ongoing regional operational considerations and in coordination with the relevant maritime and national authorities, AROYA Cruises will not proceed with the remaining sailings scheduled in the Arabian Gulf for the current season.

“All guests were safely disembarked in Dubai on March 7, with the safety, security, and wellbeing of our guests and crew guiding this process.

“We are supporting our guests as they arrange their onward travel and providing guidance and assistance throughout this process.

“The safety, security, and comfort of our guests and crew remain our highest priority and continue to guide every operational decision we make.”

TUI, MSC, Celestyal Cruises, Viking Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Avalon Waterways have been contacted for comment.

What does it mean for British cruise passengers?

The UK government is working to support Brits in all of the impacted areas including the United Arab Emirates.

Official guidance advises Brits who are due to head off on a cruise with stops at the impacted ports to check in with their cruse line to see if their sailing has been cancelled, postponed or rerouted.

For Brits heading on fly-cruises, you should also check with your airline to see if they are still operating your scheduled flight.

Lisa Minot, The Sun’s Head of Travel said: “Six cruise ships are stuck in ports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, unable to sail to safer waters without entering the Strait of Hormutz.

“Assistance will be provided to all impacted guests, and cruisers on cancelled sailings will receive full refunds or a future cruise credit to reschedule.”

In other travel news, Brits are cancelling their holidays to Cyprus despite it being on the safe travel list.

Plus, a major airline is cancelling 600 flights across Europe this week.

DISNEY Cruise Line fans were treated to a welcome surprise this week when it was announced that the Disney Wish would be making its way to the UK for the first time.

Arriving next year, the ship will sail on a series of European itineraries departing from Southampton – meaning no need to faff around with flights.

And without the need to splurge on airfares, travellers have more cash to splash on board.

This year will see many mega ships sailing out of Britain on no-fly itineraries.

Sophie Swietochowski takes a look at five top cruise ships – of varying sizes – to keep your eye on in 2026 for some cracking European voyages . . . 

ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S LIBERTY OF THE SEAS: NORWAY

FUN is never in short supply on Royal Caribbean ships, and Liberty Of The Seas is no ­exception.

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Kids can hurl down three storeys on whooshing waterslides, twirl on an indoor ice rink and test their nerves in a mind-boggling escape room, all while the adults kick back with a frozen daiquiri at the Solarium Bar.

On top of al that, there are 15 lip-smacking restaurants — pizza, Mexican, teppanyaki, they’ve got it all — as well as a selection of all-singing, all-dancing theatre shows that will amaze.

And with plenty of space on the upper decks for soaking in the views, this vessel is a great choice for a Norwegian fjords cruise.

GO: A six-night Norwegian Adventure is from £547pp, departing Southampton on October 10 and calling at Stavanager and Oslo.

See iglucruise.com.

CUNARD’S QUEEN ANNE: CANARY ISLANDS

THOSE who like the finer things in life will love the grand and sparkling lobby, swish drawing room and sophisticated games room.

Cabins are equally elegant, decorated in navy and gold.

If wellness is your thing, the spa and fitness areas are some of the best and brightest at sea, home to a yoga and meditation studio, plus thermal rooms including a steam bath, Himalayan salt sauna and cold room.

And when that cold room gets too much, head to the upper decks — a late November sailing around the Canary Islands is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of sunloungers, thanks to temperatures in the 20s.

GO: A 14-night Canary Islands sailing is from £1,035pp, departing Southampton on November 29 and calling at Lisbon, La Palma, Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and Funchal (for Madeira).

See cruise.co.uk or call 0870 990 8824.

AMBASSADOR’S AMBITION: HOLLAND AND BELGIUM

AMBITION is an ideal size for first-timers, with capacity for just 1,200 passengers, meaning it won’t feel overwhelming when on board.

If you start with a short cruise, like the four-night Holland and Belgium one, you can get a feel for cruising without jumping in headfirst.

Swing by The Cavern bar, named after Liverpool’s Cavern Club which was visited regularly by the Beatles back in the day — there is live music and fresh pours flowing day and night.

If that doesn’t bowl you over, The Palladium sure will, with its constant dance, music and comedy performances.

For something special, splurge extra dosh on the Chef’s Table — a nine-course celebratory fiesta.

GO: A four-night Weekend Escape to Holland and Belgium is from £410pp, departing London Tilbury on November 27 and calling at Zeebrugge for Bruges, Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

See iglucruises.com.

P&O’s IONA: PORTUGAL, SPAIN, CANARY ISLANDS

YOU need not worry about the weather when you’re sailing on P&O Cruises’ Iona.

The ship’s vast Skydome means you can swim in the main pool come rain or shine, thanks to a glass-domed roof that gives the area a greenhouse feel.

Take That fans should grab a ticket to the Greatest Days theatre show, adapted from the West End musical with sing-along bangers.

Among the 30 bars and restaurants are Sindhu, the British-Indian fusion joint that does a knockout lamb bhuna, as well as The Olive Grove which celebrates all things Mediterranean.

A two-week Med cruise will give you plenty of time to explore the on-board shopping and bars.

GO: A 14-night Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands sailing costs from £978pp, departing Southampton on November 21 and calling at Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Lisbon, Vigo and La Coruna.

See cruise118.com/cruise/POG638.

PRINCESS CRUISES’ SKY PRINCESS: NORWAY

COUPLES should set their sights on Sky Princess, which has a more grown-up atmosphere than the other ships mentioned here.

Entertainment extends throughout the day, well into the evening.

Creative types can attend history of art lectures in the Fine Arts Gallery, while the boozier crowd can stomp their feet several storeys above at one of the famous top-deck parties.

When the sun dips beyond the horizon, snuggle down in the open-air poolside theatre for a movie under the stars and then, if you’re feeling lucky, swing by the Vegas-style casino.

Balcony cabins are still available for the Norwegian fjords cruise — you will be grateful for them with the jaw-drapping views coming your way.

GO: A seven-night Norwegian Fjords sailing is from £843pp, departing Southampton May 23 and calling at Bergen, Skjolden, Olden and Stavanger.

See cruise118.com/cruise/PRINCESSY618?variant2=1.