AIDA Cruises plans Middle East comeback for 2027–28 season

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AIDAperla

After last operating in the region during the 2024–25 winter season, AIDA Cruises has opened bookings for its 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 regional destinations including Oman, Bahrain and Qatar.

The deployment marks the line’s return to the Middle East after a two-year hiatus and restores Dubai and Abu Dhabi to its global deployment schedule. The German cruise line will also introduce a series of extended repositioning voyages via Africa, expanding its long-haul offering

In addition to its dual homeports, AIDAperla will visit 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 had previously planned a 2025–26 Middle East deployment, but cancelled the season in mid-2025 due to regional security concerns. Its confirmed return now aligns the line with other international cruise brands expanding operations in the region.

MSC World Europa to return to Middle East for 2027–28 season

Celestyal unveils Arabian Gulf sailings for 2027/2028

Growing cruise presence in the Arabian Gulf

AIDA joins MSC Cruises and Celestyal Cruises in confirming 2027–28 regional itineraries. MSC Cruises recently announced that MSC World Europa will return to the Middle East for the 2027–28 winter season, extending its deployment after a consecutive 2026–27 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.

Meanwhile, MSC Euribia will continue homeporting in Dubai through 1 April 2026, offering short Arabian Gulf itineraries ranging from three to seven nights.

Celestyal Cruises is also strengthening its presence in the region. Having returned to the Gulf in November 2025 for a second season, the line continues its 2025–26 winter programme through March 2026 with four- and seven-night itineraries. It has also signed three-year agreements to maintain Abu Dhabi and Doha as seasonal homeports.

Celestyal Journey in Dubai

In August, Celestyal launched its 2027 and early 2028 Arabian Gulf programmes. From November 2027 to March 2028, the 1,260-passenger Celestyal Journey will operate 24 departures of the seven-night Desert Days itinerary. Meanwhile, from December 2027 to March 2028, Celestyal Discovery will offer 18 roundtrip three-night Iconic Arabia itineraries from Abu Dhabi.

Aroya Cruises, Saudi Arabia’s first cruise line, has also opened bookings for its debut Arabian Gulf sailings. The line will operate five- and seven-night itineraries across the UAE, Qatar and Oman throughout the winter 2025–26 season. This expansion follows a strong inaugural year — Aroya welcomed more than 140,000 passengers since launching in December 2024.

Further supporting regional growth, Connections Cruise Arabia will return to Dubai in 2026, following the success of the inaugural edition in 2025. The two-day event, taking place from 28 to 29 September, will welcome more than 500 travel trade professionals from across the global cruise ecosystem. To register your interest in attending, contact Connections today.

For more information, visit aida.de