By Paris Tsirigotis

Cruise activity in Greece is set to strengthen as five cruise ships set sail from the Persian Gulf, three of which are scheduled to operate home-porting services from Greek ports.

The vessels, which had been stranded since the onset of the Middle East crisis triggered by U.S. strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, are expected to sail to the Mediterranean soon to resume their itineraries.

Major cruise operators had suspended sailings for two months or adjusted schedules in response to the situation.

A controlled – and time-limited – window for transit through the Strait of Hormuz, before Tehran hardened its stance, proved key for the vessels to exit the region. Movements were carried out with careful planning and the support of intermediaries, under conditions of heightened geopolitical risk.

A phase of strong recovery and sustainable growth

According to the Cruise Lines International Association’s 2026 annual report, the sector is now entering a phase of strong recovery and sustainable growth, with demand rebounding sharply and the outlook remaining positive through the end of the decade.

Passenger traffic is projected to reach 38.3 million globally in 2026 and 40.3 million in 2027.

Greek cruise operator Celestyal Cruises was at the centre of developments, with two of its vessels returning to the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Piraeus-based company’s ships had been operating round-trip itineraries in the Aegean islands.

Following their immobilisation, the company was forced to cancel all cruises scheduled for late March and April, effectively reducing its revenue for two months.

Celestyal Discovery, a 43,000-ton vessel built in 2003, was the first cruise ship to transit the Strait of Hormuz since the onset of the crisis, completing the passage last Friday.

The ship, which had been anchored in Dubai since late February, is scheduled to resume sailings on May 1 from Lavrio, serving destinations in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Greek islands.

Similarly, Celestyal Journey has departed from Doha and is repositioning to Europe, with sailings set to restart from Piraeus on May 2.

Celestyal Cruises confirmed the safe passage of both vessels in an online statement, noting that “the operation was carried out in close coordination with the relevant authorities and security stakeholders, with the safety of crew and ships as the top priority.”

Both vessels are now heading to the Mediterranean, where they are expected to commence their summer programs as scheduled, offering passengers and travel partners greater stability and credibility.