| Cruise ships escape the Gulf

CRUISE ships stuck in the Arabian Gulf have finally escaped through the Strait of Hormuz, after almost 50 days trapped.

MSC Cruises confirmed its MSC Euribia (pictured) departed her docked location in Dubai and safely transited through the Strait over the weekend.

The waterway was briefly open for less than 24 hours on Sat, before being shut again by Iran the following day.

“Euribia is on course to resume her Northern Europe season,” the line confirmed.

“The passage was completed in close coordination with the relevant authorities.

“As the ship will now be able to return sooner than previously anticipated, MSCCruises confirms that the cruise departing on 16May from Kiel (and 17May from Copenhagen) will now operate as originally scheduled, with all subsequent sailings operating as planned,” the cruise line said.

MSC added guests whose cruises were cancelled will have the option to transfer their booking to this sailing should they wish, and will be contacted directly with further details.

Celestyal Cruises’ two ships, Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey, have also exited the Arabian Gulf, following an almost two-month period during which the line had to cancel the start of its European season (CW 27 Mar).

Maritime trackers now show Discovery on route to the Suez Canal and Journey heading to Cape Town.

One ship which remains in the Arabian Gulf is Terra Nova Expeditions’ St. Helena, which is due to dry dock in Dubai over the next couple of weeks.

While works are slightly behind schedule, chief executive officer & founder Greg Carter confirmed to CW that following the dry dock, St. Helena will be moved when it is safe to do so. MS