MSC Cruises has announced that Dirty Dancing: In Concert will debut aboard MSC Poesia for the ship's summer 2026 deployment in Alaska, marking the third vessel in the company's fleet to host Continue reading … [Read more...]
Middle East Cruise News & Gulf Sailings
You are viewing page 15 of tag Middle East Cruise News & Gulf Sailings. Older cruise news, ship updates and reports continue below.
This archive brings together Middle East cruise news and Gulf sailing updates from across the regional and global cruise industry. Coverage focuses on cruise activity involving the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, and nearby destinations, including ship deployments, seasonal homeporting, itinerary announcements, port developments, and operational updates.
Articles published here highlight cruise operations in key regional markets such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and surrounding regions, alongside international cruise lines deploying vessels to Middle Eastern waters. Topics may include winter cruise seasons, new ship introductions, fleet repositioning, port infrastructure projects, special sailings, and changing travel patterns affecting cruise demand in the region.
Content is updated regularly and serves as an informational reference for travelers, cruise professionals, and industry observers seeking insight into cruise activity connected to the Middle East. This tag page provides organized access to relevant news and sailing information, helping readers stay informed about ongoing developments and future cruise opportunities across Gulf and Middle Eastern cruise routes.
Cruise Industry: Why US-owned cruise ships are still built in Europe
Most cruise lines are US owned and the North American market is the largest globally for the cruise industry, so why are all major cruise ships still built in Europe? The modern Continue reading … [Read more...]
TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 5 undergoes Dubai refit during Middle East season
TUI Cruises' Mein Schiff 5 has entered drydock in Dubai for scheduled maintenance and refurbishment, temporarily pausing her Middle East winter deployment. The 2,500-guest ship, delivered in 2016, suspended operations on Thursday, January 8th, Continue reading … [Read more...]
Ship preview: AIDAperla
Homeporting in the Middle East, sailing roundtrip 7-night itineraries from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, AIDAperla is one of the largest and most advanced cruise ships in the AIDA Cruises fleet. A cruise Continue reading … [Read more...]
Royal Caribbean International opens Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Bahamas
Royal Caribbean International has officially opened its new private destination, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, in The Bahamas, welcoming the first guests this week. Located on Paradise Island near Nassau, the beach Continue reading … [Read more...]
Silversea World Cruise 2026 places South Africa at centre of 140-day global voyage
Silver Dawn has departed on her 2026 World Cruise, a 140-day global voyage that showcases South Africa within one of the most extensive itineraries ever undertaken by Silversea, visiting 59 destinations across Continue reading … [Read more...]
AIDA Cruises to return to Arabian Gulf via South Africa for winter 2027/28
AIDA Cruises has confirmed its return to the Middle East and Arabian Gulf for the 2027/28 winter season, restoring Dubai and Abu Dhabi to its global deployment programme while also scheduling a Continue reading … [Read more...]
Disney Cruise Line’s new Disney Adventure departs on Singapore repositioning
Disney Adventure, the largest cruise ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, has departed Bremerhaven, Germany for a transatlantic crossing to the Bahamas. The voyage marks the first stage of a complex Continue reading … [Read more...]
Oceania Cruises transitions to adults-only policy for future sailings
Oceania Cruises has introduced an adults-only policy across its fleet for all new reservations made from January 7th, 2026, restricting future bookings to guests aged 18 and over. The change applies to Continue reading … [Read more...]
Norwegian Cruise Line opens new 1.4-acre pool complex at Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian Cruise Line has opened the first phase of a major redevelopment at Great Stirrup Cay, its private island in The Bahamas, including a 1.4-acre pool complex and a range of new Continue reading … [Read more...]
Video: Strong winds cause contact between Atlas and Viking cruise ships in Ushuaia
Two expedition cruise vessels made contact in the port of Ushuaia, Argentina, after severe wind conditions caused one of the ships to break free from its moorings. El Diario del Fin del Continue reading … [Read more...]
Royal Caribbean and PortMiami mark groundbreaking of new cruise terminal
Royal Caribbean Group, PortMiami, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, and construction partner Lemartec-NV2A JV have marked the groundbreaking of the new Cruise Terminal G at the Port of Miami. The event Continue reading … [Read more...]
Regent Seven Seas Cruises offering suite upgrades on 2026 Doha-Cape Town cruise
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering a complimentary two-category suite upgrade across its fleet on all destinations, including a grand voyage in 2026 between Doha and Cape Town. The promotion applies to Continue reading … [Read more...]
Oceania Cruises reveals expanded suite portfolio for newbuild Oceania Sonata
Oceania Cruises has revealed the latest details of the accommodation design for its new ship Oceania Sonata, the first vessel in the company's forthcoming Sonata Class. Due to enter service in August Continue reading … [Read more...]
Ambassador Cruise Line sends Ambience to UK for major refit and refurbishment
Ambassador Cruise Line will send its second ship Ambience for a scheduled dry dock at A&P Tyne in Hebburn, Tyne and Wear, on January 7th, 2026, commencing a three-week programme of technical Continue reading … [Read more...]
Mombasa welcomes 1st cruise ship of year as Crystal Symphony returns to Kenya
The Port of Mombasa has marked the arrival of its first cruise ship of the year as Crystal Symphony of Crystal Cruises called at the island, opening what is expected to be Continue reading … [Read more...]
Cruise holiday trends shaping the industry in 2026
The global cruise industry is entering 2026 with a rapidly evolving set of travel behaviours that are reshaping itineraries, deployment strategies, and guest experiences and expectations across multiple markets. From short-format holidays Continue reading … [Read more...]
MSC World Europa set for 2nd consecutive Middle East winter season in 2027/28
MSC World Europa is scheduled to return to the Middle East for a second consecutive winter season in 2027/28, reinforcing the cruise line's continued commitment to the Arabian Gulf as a core Continue reading … [Read more...]
Silver Muse returns to service following extensive refit and capacity increase
Silversea's Silver Muse has returned to service following a major refit and refurbishment at the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo, Italy that has resulted in a substantial increase in guest capacity and a Continue reading … [Read more...]
Year in Review: 10 new cruise ships that defined 2025
The ten cruise ships delivered in 2025 (with one bonus mention) indicate the industry's priorities as it prepares for next phase of evolution. As the cruise industry closes out 2025, the year Continue reading … [Read more...]