What the Red Sea attacks could mean for cruise holidays

Cruise lines moved fast to pull ships out of the Red Sea and Israel last year, but planning for spring, when vessels transit the Suez Canal on their way back from world cruises, seemed a long way off. Now those cruises are underway, spring is just around the corner and the situation in the Red Sea has just entered a more dangerous phase.

Here’s everything you need to know about how the conflict with Houthi rebels in the Red Sea area could affect your upcoming cruise.

What is happening in the Red Sea?

Shipping companies including MSC’s cargo arm, Hapag-Lloyd and AP Moller-Maersk halted Suez transits in December after missile and drone attacks on their ships by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis. BP likewise suspended canal transits, instead sending tankers bound for the Med around Africa, adding two weeks to the journey time.

Overnight on January 11, the US and Britain fought back, launching air strikes on military bases in Yemen. More than 60 targets in 16 locations were hit. The Houthis have vowed to retaliate.

Which cruise ships operate in this area?

Greece’s Variety Cruises was due to operate winter sun cruises between Ashdod in Israel and Aqaba in Jordan that transited the Suez Canal. They were scrapped in October when war broke out between Israel and Gaza.

Silversea’s Silver Moon is on the last few days of a 10-night cruise that should have been from Aqaba in Jordan to Muscat in Oman. Instead, it has been changed to a round-trip Aqaba cruise, still 10 nights and still ending on January 16, while the following sailing, from Muscat to Dubai, has been cancelled.

Peter Shanks, Silversea’s managing director UK and Ireland, said the company is rearranging flights for guests on the altered cruise. They are also each receiving US$500 cruise credit and 50 per cent off a future cruise. “Our guests have been very understanding,” he added.

Have itineraries changed, in light of the escalating conflict?

Like Variety, MSC Cruises and Oceania Cruises pulled all voyages last October that were due to make calls into Israel.

MSC also cancelled a Suez transit at the start of its eastbound 121-day world cruise in January 2024. Its ship, MSC Poesia, is circumnavigating Africa instead. A spokesperson said they have kept the same number of destinations (50), as well as the original itinerary highlights.

Now the spotlight falls on cruise lines like P&O Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line and Azamara, which each have ships on world cruises that are due to transit Suez in March or April as the vessels return to the Mediterranean.

A P&O Cruises spokesperson confirmed they are monitoring the situation daily with the relevant authorities. “We will advise guests should any changes to the itinerary be necessary. The safety, security and wellbeing of guests and crew is our absolute priority.”

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines said they have not made any changes to their world cruise itinerary which includes a scheduled sailing through the Suez Canal in early April. “We continue to have regular communication with the relevant authorities and evaluate all risks. In the event of an increased risk, we will of course implement our contingency itinerary.”

Cunard and Holland America also stated they are monitoring the situation. HAL said they will let guests know 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 a case of the cruise line cancelling before you have a chance to.

If you decide to cancel a cruise for whatever reason, you will be subject to the usual cancellation charges. However, if the FCDO advises against all travel to the region, companies should offer an alternative holiday or a full refund.

Shanks said guests on Silver Moon’s cancelled cruise can opt for a full refund or move to another 2024 cruise. “We are always very reasonable and believe in compensating guests when things don’t go as they hoped,” he said.

World cruisers who find their ship is being diverted around Africa rather than transiting Suez might not be so lucky. None of the lines contacted would comment on possible refunds or compensation in the event guests don’t want that additional journey and opt to leave their ship early.

P&O said: “Should we decide to change the itinerary based upon our own assessment of the situation or on the basis of advice given by authorities such as the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), we will inform guests of the revised itinerary and any other impact on the cruise, as appropriate.”

Is it safe to book a Red Sea cruise for later in the year?

No one has any idea how long this conflict will go on for, nor if it will escalate further. Cruise lines are not risk takers, so unless this wraps up faster than many expect, the chances are there won’t be any cruises in the Red Sea for the foreseeable future.