AIDA Cruises has confirmed the cancellation of its entire Orient programme for the winter 2026–2027 season. The decision affects all voyages scheduled for the vessel AIDAprima between October 19th, 2026 and May 20th, 2027 that were originally planned to operate in the Middle East.
The company indicated that the adjustment had been made due to the continuing uncertainty in the region and the difficulty of assessing future security conditions for cruise operations. In its statement, the cruise line emphasized that operational decisions were being guided primarily by the need to ensure the safety of both passengers and crew.
As a consequence of the cancellation of the Middle East season, the repositioning voyages that had been scheduled to carry AIDAprima around the coast of Africa in both autumn and spring have also been withdrawn from the programme. The only sailing that will proceed as originally scheduled is the voyage titled “Western Europe Highlights from Hamburg 1,” which is planned to depart Hamburg and sail to Las Palmas between October 19th and November 1st, 2026.
Passengers affected by the cancelled sailings will be offered the opportunity to transfer their bookings to alternative voyages within the fleet of AIDA Cruises. These options include winter itineraries in regions that continue to host cruise activity during the season, such as the Caribbean and the Canary Islands, along with other destinations known for favourable winter cruising conditions. Passengers who select a replacement cruise by May 10th, 2026 will receive onboard credit of EUR 200 per cabin, or EUR 100 for single-occupancy bookings.
The company also reported that it is preparing a revised winter deployment plan for AIDAprima. The new itineraries are expected to be released for booking in mid-April.
The cancellation reflects a broader adjustment within the cruise industry, as several operators have recently modified or suspended sailings in the Middle East amid rising geopolitical tensions. Cruise companies have increasingly redirected vessels toward regions such as the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean, where winter operations can be conducted under more predictable conditions.
Among those making similar adjustments is Costa Cruises, which has also revised its winter programme in the region. The company indicated that its updated itineraries would be made available through booking channels by the end of March, while AIDA Cruises expects to publish the new deployment schedule for AIDAprima later in the spring.