Agents praise cruise lines’ operational efforts in passing Strait of Hormuz

Agents have hailed cruise lines’ operational efforts in getting their ships through the Strait of Hormuz when it temporarily re-opened over the weekend.

Six cruise ships stranded in the Arabian Gulf since the start of the Iran war successfully began repositioning on April 17 to start their delayed European seasons.

Celestyal Discovery was the first to make it through, followed by Celestyal Journey, MSC Euribia and Tui Cruises’ vessels Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5. Saudi line Aroya Cruises later confirmed its flagship is also en route from the Gulf to the Red Sea.

The strait was closed again by Iran on April 18 in response to the US government maintaining a blockade on vessels.

Tracy Clenshaw, head of commercial at Fred Olsen Travel, said seeing the ships “finally clear” was “a reassuring moment for the cruise sector”.

More: Celestyal sees business more than double after Strait of Hormuz escape

“After weeks of uncertainty, the ability to reposition brings a sense of stability back into the market,” she said, adding clearer visibility of operations helped “rebuild confidence” for agents and customers.

Iglu Cruise chief commercial officer Dave Mills agreed, saying the agency was “delighted” by the news of the ships’ successful navigation which was “great news” for crew and agents.

He added Iglu was seeing “unprecedented demand” for the Mediterranean, which will be helped by more capacity coming in.

The Travel Network Group’s cruise sales director John Wilson welcomed the good news that both Celestyal ships and MSC Euribia had transited the Strait of Hormuz safely.

“Having successfully worked closely with both brands to support the repatriation of many customers from the Middle East in March, we are all delighted to hear their crews are also now able to head back to their usual duties,” he said.

InteleTravel UK and Ireland managing director Tricia Handley-Hughes added she was “pleased and relieved” to see the safe departure of both Celestyal ships ahead of commencing Mediterranean sailings in May.

She said she hoped the additional capacity from Piraeus combined with the news Greece would not implement EES biometric checks would give agents “more choice” and customers “a seamless travel experience”.

Protected Trust Services managing director Emma Collis praised the “coordination and careful routing” for the vessels to “make the most of a very narrow window”, putting an end to a 47-day “standstill”.

However, she added the situation in the Strait of Hormuz “has already shifted again”, meaning “no-one is pretending it is job done”.

Collis said: “All we can do now is keep watching the situation closely and hope for more positive movement in the days ahead.”

Celestyal Discovery and Journey are due to commence their Mediterranean seasons on May 1 and 2 respectively. MSC Euribia will depart on its first northern Europe itinerary on May 16.