In response to recent attacks by the Houthi militia in the Red Sea, several cruise operators have opted to cancel or alter their itineraries.
Despite concerns about the safety of ships in the region, experts anticipate a minimal impact on the multi-billion dollar cruise industry.
Royal Caribbean Adjustments:
Royal Caribbean, a major cruise operator, has canceled two voyages and modified the itinerary of another cruise. The affected routes were between Muscat and Dubai and Dubai to Mumbai.
The company assured passengers that its global security team closely observes the situation and will make further changes if necessary.
MSC Cruises Takes Precautionary Measures:
In April, MSC Cruises, a Swiss-Italian operator, canceled three trips from South Africa and the UAE to Europe.
Prioritizing the safety of passengers and crew, the company transferred the ships directly to Europe without any passengers on board, avoiding transit through the Red Sea.
Limited Global Impact:
While thousands of passengers are affected by these adjustments, Todd Elliott, CEO of Cruise Vacation Outlet, believes the overall impact on cruise operators globally will be minimal.
He notes that the altered itineraries represent only a small portion of these companies’ fleets and multi-year plans.
Response from Other Operators:
Italy’s Costa Cruises assured that its routes remain unchanged, with only two cruises potentially affected in March and April.
Carnival stated that its global security team is collaborating with experts and governments to prioritize safety, including making itinerary adjustments if deemed necessary.