German Cruise Passengers Stranded in Persian Gulf as Regional Tensions Escalate

Holidaymakers who set sail for a winter cruise in the Persian Gulf have instead found themselves caught in a rapidly intensifying regional crisis.

Amid escalating hostilities following US-Israeli strikes on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has been closed to most shipping traffic, according to regional reports. Only vessels with ties to China or Russia are reportedly being allowed to pass. At the same time, Iran has launched attacks on US military bases in the Gulf, widening the scope of the confrontation.

For passengers aboard the Mein Schiff 4, operated by TUI Cruises, the situation turned alarming on Sunday afternoon. The ship is currently docked in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. According to observers cited by German media, a missile struck the water not far from the vessel, sending dark plumes of smoke into the air. It remains unclear whether anyone on board was injured. The ship is carrying approximately 2,500 passengers and around 1,000 crew members.

Travelers had originally planned to disembark in Dubai and begin their return journey to Germany on Sunday. Those plans are now on hold.

A similar situation has unfolded aboard the Mein Schiff 5, docked in Doha, Qatar. Its passengers were scheduled to fly back to Germany on Saturday. Some had already boarded aircraft when flights were reportedly forced to turn around. According to passenger accounts, travelers waited roughly ten hours at the airport before being transported back to the ship in the evening. Their luggage remained behind at the airport.

Security measures on board have since been tightened. Passengers have been instructed to stay inside the ships, avoid the outer decks and, if possible, remain away from windows. Alerts from Qatar’s civil defense warning of incoming missiles have periodically appeared on passengers’ mobile phones, according to those on board.

The disruption extends beyond the two German-operated vessels. A total of six cruise ships are currently berthed in the region, including at Port Rashid in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha. Among them are the MSC Euribia operated by MSC Cruises, the Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey from Celestyal Cruises, and the Aroya from Aroya Cruises.

Air travel has also been heavily affected. Several countries in the region have closed their airspace, preventing both commercial departures and emergency repatriation flights. As a result, thousands of cruise passengers and air travelers remain stranded, with no clear timeline for evacuation or onward travel.

Authorities have not yet provided detailed information on how or when those affected might be able to leave the region. For now, what was meant to be a leisure voyage through calm Gulf waters has turned into an extended and uncertain wait in one of the world’s most strategically sensitive maritime corridors.