Is It Safe To Cruise In The Middle East?

Despite the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, areas such as the Arabian Gulf and Egypt’s Nile River remain safer to visit and continue to grow in popularity. Cruise lines like British line Marella Cruises have adjusted their itineraries amid the ongoing Red Sea conflict and crisis. MSC Cruises announced that its October 12 call on Haifa, Israel will be cancelled, along with planned stops on October 19 and October 26.

Oceania Cruises revamped its 2024 schedule of Mediterranean cruises to replace ports of call in Israel, Egypt, and Jordan with alternate ports in the Mediterranean. The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) recommends travelers read the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) for advice. After two pandemic-related delays, Viking was set to take a 34,309 Nile cruise with Viking, leaving Oct. 25 and including several days in Cairo and additional Middle East Cruise Itineraries.

Arabic Gulf cruises focus on desert adventures and cultural explorations, with many passengers being Saudi Arabian. MSC Cruises reported that up to half of all its passengers aboard MSC Bellissima during her maiden voyage were Saudi Arabian. Cruise companies are not going anywhere unsafe, as they don’t want to risk their billion-dollar ships.

The State Department issued a Worldwide Caution notice last month warning travelers about the potential for terrorist attacks. The U.K.’s Foreign Commonwealth Development Office advises against all but essential travel to Israel and the occupied Palestinian. The U.K. Foreign Office also warns against traveling within 30 kilometers of the borders with Libya, Mali, Niger, Mauritania, and Tunisia. Long-range missiles fired North are not Surface-to-Ship missiles, and while the Houthis may have this capability, there is no evidence to date.

Amid the Israel-Hamas War, cruise lines are canceling port calls in and around the region.