Due to the tense situation in the Middle East and the closure of airspace, the MSC Euribia (also known as the Goddess of the Seas) scheduled to depart from Dubai on February 28 had to cancel its voyage. Currently, it remains docked at the port of Dubai with around 5,000 passengers on board, including approximately 200 Chinese tourists and a 32-person tour group from Ningbo.
According to reports from Observer Net and JiMu News, the “Goddess of the Seas” was supposed to visit multiple Middle Eastern ports such as Qatar, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi on an 8-day, 7-night cruise. However, the voyage was abruptly halted on the day of departure, and the ship is currently the only one stranded in Dubai’s port.
Passengers on board have mentioned that they are confined to the ship and hesitant to disembark due to occasional sounds of explosions heard in the vicinity. Some passengers who ventured off on February 28 were faced with difficulties in finding accommodations as hotels in Dubai were reportedly fully booked.
Mediterranean Cruises has advised passengers that while they can disembark, it is strongly recommended to stay within the cruise terminal area due to traffic congestion in Dubai city center. To meet communication needs, onboard Wi-Fi has been made available free of charge, and passengers who had booked shore excursions are entitled to full refunds.
The company stated that due to the temporary closure of airspace in several Middle Eastern countries for passenger and crew safety, the “Goddess of the Seas” will remain docked in Dubai. The company will continue close communication with local and regional authorities to assess future voyage arrangements.
On March 1, MSC issued another statement confirming the cancellation of the subsequent voyage originally scheduled to depart from Doha, Qatar.
A passenger from Wuhan shared a video online expressing concerns, “Currently stranded at the Dubai port with no available flights to leave, everything is uncertain, and I just want to safely return home.”
Mediterranean Cruises mentioned that there are approximately 200 Chinese guests on board who can utilize all facilities and services normally. The ship’s supplies are sufficient to meet all living needs, and regular updates on the situation are provided by the captain.
The tour leader of the 32-member tour group from Ningbo, managed by Zhejiang FeiYang International Travel Group, also confirmed via video that all group members are safe and emotionally stable.
The director of the travel agency, Li Da, stated, “We have considered all possible solutions,” including arranging for the group to travel through a third country by land before boarding a flight back home. However, upon evaluation of the closed airspace in surrounding countries and the potential risks of land transportation, this plan was ultimately abandoned.
The travel agency has notified passengers booked for the Dubai cruise tours departing on March 6 and 13 of the option for full refunds, with the company bearing any related losses.
According to a recent update from Dubai Tourism, foreign tourists stranded in the area until March 5 can claim their incurred expenses for food and accommodation, which may be covered by the Dubai government upon approval.
On March 1, Mediterranean Cruises issued a formal statement confirming the cancellation of the voyage scheduled to depart from Doha, Qatar on March 1 to ensure the safety of all guests and crew. The company continues to communicate with relevant authorities and partners to assess operational arrangements in the region.
The “Goddess of the Seas” is a new ship launched in 2023 with a total tonnage of 184,000 tons, accommodating over 6,000 passengers, making it one of the newest and largest cruise ships in the Persian Gulf region. Its Persian Gulf route is a classic route of the company highly favored by tourists.
Mediterranean Cruises is the world’s third-largest cruise line, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The “Goddess of the Seas” cruise ship made its inaugural voyage in June 2023, with a maximum capacity of 6,327 passengers and approximately 1,700 crew members. The Persian Gulf route operated by the “Goddess of the Seas” is a classic route of MSC Cruises.