by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 10:30 AM ET, Tue April 30, 2024
Amid the ongoing missile attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, Princess Cruises is rerouting both of its 2025 world cruises.
Now, instead of visiting the Middle East or Asia, the cruises will visit new ports in Africa and Europe. Princess Cruises leaders made the decision after “extensive consultation” with global security experts and government officials.
"We know our guests will understand and appreciate the change to our upcoming 2025 itineraries to avoid certain areas," says Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer of Princess Cruises. "These global events beyond our control have necessitated these reroutings but we are pleased to continue to ensure these world cruises retain destination-rich itineraries with incredible stops along the west Africa coast and the Mediterranean."
The world cruise offered onboard Island Princess will depart January 5, 2025, from Fort Lauderdale or January 20, 2025, from Los Angeles. The 116-day voyage will travel more than 36,700 nautical miles and visit 46 destinations in 24 countries on six continents.
The revised part of the cruise will take place from February 16 through April 9. From Sydney, the ship will visit Melbourne and Perth before sailing on to South Africa, Namibia and the Cape Verde Islands. Travelers will then head to Portugal, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Croatia and Montenegro before resuming the scheduled itinerary in Malta.
Guests who were originally scheduled to depart or join the cruise in Dubai on March 14 must now embark or disembark in Cape Town, South Africa, on March 9. Disembarking guests will be refunded for four days of the cruise fare, while those who join the ship earlier than planned will not have to pay extra. All affected guests will receive a $300 onboard credit.
The other 2025 world cruise, offered on Crown Princess, will depart from Auckland on May 31, 2025, and Sydney on June 4, 2025. The 113-day sailing will visit 42 destinations in 22 countries on five continents. The vessel will no longer transit the Suez Canal and, instead, will travel around Africa. Princess is still finalizing the details of that itinerary.
Princess is not the only cruise line affected by the missile strikes: Royal Caribbean also rerouted its 2024 world cruise, and Holland America Line adjusted the itinerary of its 2025 world cruise, to name a few.
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