The world's largest cruise lines have no immediate plans to change their Middle East itineraries following a rash of tanker attacks in recent weeks, including today's onslaught.
Major operators held firm to their itineraries after two tankers operated by Frontline and Bernhard Schulte were the subject of a "torpedo attack" off Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
A month earlier, four tankers were assailed in a "sabotage attack" off Fujairah.
Carnival Corp, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings expect to keep sailing in the area, reiterating what they said in response to the earlier attacks.
"At this time, there are no plans to alter itineraries that call to the region," a Norwegian spokesman said.
The Frank Del Rio-led company said safety of guests and crew is "top priority" with strict safety measures in place to communicate with local authorities.
"In the event of any developing safety concerns in these locations, we have the flexibility to alter our itineraries as needed to avoid such areas," the company said.
Norwegian offers several three-week cruises that visit UAE cities of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah, and Oman's Khasab, Muscat and Salalah before sailing to India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore, according to its website.
Royal Caribbean said it has no ships in the area at the moment but plans to send ships there in October.
"We are monitoring the situation," spokesman Owen Torres told TradeWinds today.
Its Celebrity Cruises brand offers a 15-night "Best of India and South East Asia" itinerary that starts off by crossing the Strait of Hormuz from Dubai, in the UAE, to Muscat, in Oman, before heading off to India, Thailand and Singapore.
Royal Caribbean also offers cruises from Bahrain and Qatar and the emirate of Abu Dhabi, according to its website.
Carnival declined to comment on its travel plans for the Middle East.
Its Costa Cruises brand lists Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Khasab, Muscat and Salalah as ports of call or departure on its website without including actual itineraries.
