MSC and Celestyal begin repositioning from Arabian Gulf

• This story is being updated by Travel Weekly reporters

Celestyal has started to relocate its two ships from the Arabian Gulf, with the first, Celestyal Discovery, passing the Strait of Hormuz.

The line’s two vessels, Discovery and Journey, have been berthed in Dubai and Doha respectively for the duration of the Iran war.

On Friday (April 17), Iran announced the strait was open to commercial vessels, finally creating a window for the movement of ships following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire on April 7.

According to the Marine Traffic app at 8.30pm UK time on Friday evening, Celestyal Discovery had passed through the Strait of Hormuz and was en route to Muscat in Oman.

At the same time, Celestyal Journey was still in the Arabian Gulf but had departed Doha, bound for Khasab in Oman.

MSC Cruises’ Euribia, which is due to reposition from the Arabian Gulf to the Mediterranean for the summer season, appeared to leave its berth in Dubai at about 1am local time, according to Marine Traffic.

However, on Saturday morning, the BBC reported a tanker had come under fire from two gunboats operated by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

This came as some merchant vessels received a radio message from the Iranian Navy saying the Strait of Hormuz had been closed again, shipping sources told Reuters.

Earlier this month, Celestyal confirmed it was aiming to resume operations in the Mediterranean from May.

The line’s next planned departures are a three-night Iconic Greek Islands sailing on board Celestyal Discovery from May 1, and a seven-night Heavenly Greece, Italy and Croatia sailing on board Celestyal Journey from May 2.

MSC has cancelled MSC Euribia’s first scheduled sailing in Europe for the summer season, due to depart on May 2, but has not issued any updates on plans for future sailings.

Travel Weekly has approached Celeystal for comment.