AIDA Cruises cancels 2026-27 winter season in the Middle East

AIDA Cruises has confirmed it will suspend its Middle East programme for the 2026–27 winter season, cancelling the previously planned deployment of AIDAprima in the region.

The line, which recently opened bookings for its 2027–28 Arabian Gulf programme, said it would not offer any cruises in the Middle East during the winter of 2026–27 as the situation in the region “remains uncertain and cannot be reliably predicted for the foreseeable future".

This comes amid regional tensions linked to the Iran conflict, with cruise lines including MSC Cruises, Aroya Cruises and Celestyal cancelling their 2025–26 winter seasons early.

As part of AIDA’s decision, repositioning voyages for AIDAprima that were planned to sail around Africa en route to the Gulf have also been cancelled. Guests booked on those sailings will be contacted by the line, while travel agency partners will be informed of the itinerary changes.

Guests affected by the cancellations will be able to rebook an alternative AIDA cruise by 10 May 2026, with onboard credit of €200 (AED840) per cabin for double occupancy or €100 (AED420) for single occupancy. The line added that AIDAprima’s revised programme for winter 2026–27 will be available to book from mid-April.

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Despite the pause for one season, AIDA confirmed it will proceed with its 2027–28 Arabian Gulf programme, running from 16 December 2027 through early April 2028. The season will feature seven- to 14-night cruises aboard AIDAperla, departing from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi with itineraries calling at Sir Bani Yas Island, Khalifa Bin Salman Port, Muscat and Doha.

The vessel’s schedule also includes repositioning cruises along the African coast, calling at the Vanilla Islands, South Africa and the Canary Islands.

AIDA joins MSC Cruises and Celestyal in confirming 2027–28 regional itineraries, with MSC Cruises bringing MSC World Europa to the Middle East for the 2027–28 winter season. The 4,400-passenger ship will operate seven-night sailings between Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, with additional calls expected at Bahrain, Sir Bani Yas Island and other Gulf ports.