AIDA and Costa cancel Middle East cruises for 2026/27 due to war

Companies Will Re‑orient Their Destinations and Expand Offerings in the Canary Islands

Aida Cruises and Costa Cruises have decided to cancel their Middle East itineraries for the 2026/27 winter season because of the ongoing uncertainty caused by the war in the region. Both operators, part of the Carnival group, will shift their focus to other destinations such as the Caribbean, Northern Europe, the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean.

According to the travel news outlet Reise vor9 and echoed by specialist magazines like Tourinews, the lines had already suspended their Persian Gulf voyages at the end of July last year for the winter season. They are now extending that suspension in advance, given the continued conflict in the Middle East.

Aida Cruises

Aida Cruises is also cancelling the repositioning cruises of the Aida Prima around Africa. As an alternative, the company will offer itineraries to other destinations already present in its current programme and will compensate affected passengers with onboard credits if they book another cruise before May 10. The ship’s new winter programme is expected to go on sale from mid‑April.

Costa Cruises

Costa Cruises is reshaping its offer with a stronger presence in the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean.

• The Costa Smeralda will, for the first time, run weekly itineraries between the Canary Islands and Madeira.
• The Costa Toscana and Costa Pacifica will operate in the Mediterranean; the latter will have completed a shipyard refit in December and will sail eight‑day routes as well as longer trips to Southern Europe and North Africa.

The new itineraries are slated to be available for purchase by the end of March.