Amidst ongoing conflicts in the Red Sea, Marella Cruises has decided to cancel its 2024/2025 itineraries in the Middle East and Asia.
- This decision, prioritising the safety of both customers and crew, affects all voyages scheduled between November and April.
- Affected passengers will be contacted by their booking agents to explore compensation options, including the possibility of rebooking with a financial discount or receiving a full refund.
- Marella Cruises joins other cruise lines like Virgin Voyages, Crystal, and Carnival Corporation, who have also altered their plans due to regional tensions.
- The cruise line expresses regret for any inconvenience caused and hopes to welcome passengers on alternative journeys soon.
In response to the escalating tensions and conflict in the Red Sea region, Marella Cruises has taken a decisive step to cancel its upcoming 2024/2025 itineraries in the Middle East and Asia. The decision underscores Marella’s commitment to ensuring the utmost safety for its customers and crew members. Voyages that were planned from 1st November to 30th April are now officially withdrawn.
A spokesperson for Marella Cruises acknowledged the disappointment this decision may bring to its customers. Passengers who are affected by these changes will be proactively contacted by their booking agents. These agents will discuss two main options available: rebooking with a £200 per person discount or opting for a full refund. The cruise line has made it clear that they deeply apologise for any disruption this may cause to the travel plans of their esteemed customers.
In a trend that reflects wider industry movement, Marella Cruises is not alone in this precautionary measure. The decision comes after similar actions by Virgin Voyages, which recently cancelled its 2024/2025 plans for the Resilient Lady. This decision impacted the vessel’s anticipated second season in Australian waters. Additionally, Crystal altered several sailings, and Carnival Corporation modified the routes of a dozen ships across seven of its brands, all in response to the persisting unrest in the area.
Despite the unavoidable alterations, Marella Cruises has expressed hope that customers will have the opportunity to join other voyages with the company in the near future. The emphasis remains on maintaining the trust and safety of their passengers during these challenging times.
Marella Cruises’ proactive measures reflect its prioritisation of passenger and crew safety amidst evolving geopolitical tensions.
