Celestyal Ship Makes Historic Passage Through the Strait of Hormuz

The Celestyal Discovery has made maritime history by becoming the first cruise ship to pass through the Strait of Hormuz since the escalation of conflicts in the Middle East. After being docked in Dubai, the ship set sail from the UAE port on April 17, 2026, and successfully transited the Strait while en route to Muscat, Oman.

Following a scheduled technical stop, the Discovery is gearing up for a repositioning voyage to Europe. It is expected to recommence its regular sailing schedule in the Eastern Mediterranean starting May 1, 2026. This includes a short cruise visiting iconic destinations such as the Greek Islands and Turkey from Lavrion, with an itinerary featuring ports like Kusadasi, Mykonos, Patmos, Santorini, and Heraklion over three nights.

The ship had been stranded in the UAE since late February due to rising regional tensions, which prompted a halt to cruise operations in the area. Celestyal had initially canceled the remaining sailings for the Discovery and focused on establishing a route back to Europe. However, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz for international maritime traffic delayed the vessel’s departure indefinitely until this milestone crossing was achieved.

The Discovery is not alone in its return, as another Celestyal ship, the Journey, also exited the region after spending nearly two months docked in Doha, Qatar. It is currently on course for Khasab, Oman, showcasing a gradual resumption of cruise operations in this complex geopolitical landscape.

For more insights on this development, you can visit Cruise Industry News.

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