TORONTO — The travel industry continues to feel the effects of the military conflict in the Middle East, with more cruise lines cancelling itineraries in the region.
Following a missile strike on Iran by the United States and Israel last weekend, several companies like Goway, G Adventures, Intrepid, Globus family of brands, TTC Tour Brands, Celestyal Cruises and MSC Cruises have released updates this week about cancellations and rebooking policies.
The latest suppliers to announce updates include Tauck, Viking River Cruises, AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways, all of which operate river cruises in the region.
TAUCK
In an update dated March 3 on its website, Tauck confirmed that it has cancelled several departures.
All March classic and small group departures of ‘Jordan & Egypt: Petra to the Pyramids’ have been cancelled “due to the evolving situation and ongoing disruptions to air service into and out of Amman, Jordan,” reads the statement.
The ‘Israel & Jordan’ itinerary is currently not scheduled to operate until the fall, as “our ability and intent to operate these journeys will be dependent on future developments in the region.”
Tauck has also cancelled upcoming departures of the ‘Egypt: Jewels of the Nile’ itinerary through March 15, 2026, and will evaluate later departures on a rolling basis.
Impacted guests and travel advisors are being contacted directly.
VIKING RIVER CRUISES
After temporarily pausing operations in Egypt in early March “out of an abundance of caution,” Viking’s Egypt voyages will run as planned beginning March 12.
“The official travel advisors have now been clarified and the current advisory for Egypt remains the same as it was prior to the start of the recent conflict,” reads a statement on Viking’s website. “In consultation with our longtime ground operators in Egypt, we now expect to operate our Egypt voyages as planned beginning March 12, 2026. All impacted guests and their travel advisors will be contacted with additional information.”
Viking also noted that there has been no other significant impact to its operations, itineraries and guests travel plans, and that it will continue to assess developments as they unfold.
AMAWATERWAYS
A travel advisory posted on its website states that AmaWaterways’ operations in Egypt remain stable, with the March 5 and March 7 Nile River cruises proceeding as planned. However, Jordan land extension and Dubai programs have been suspended through March 31; impacted guests are being supported with all necessary arrangements.
All other Nile River cruises embarking throughout March will continue as scheduled.
Any guests or travel advisor with a March reservation who prefers to change travel plans may rebook to another 2026 itinerary without penalties. Call 1-800-626-0126 for support.
In Israel, AmaWaterways has suspended its optional four-night post-cruise land package indefinitely. Guests with the post-cruise Israel package departing on ‘Secrets of Egypt & the Nile’ itinerary starting in Cairo will be refunded for the Israel portion as well as the Cairo–Tel Aviv airfare. Impacted guests are being advised to contact their travel advisor or airline to review change fees that may be applicable to return international flights.
There are no other changes to any other Egypt river cruise or associated land packages.
AVALON WATERWAYS
As reported by multiple news outlets, Avalon Waterways – part of the Globus family of brands – has cancelled March departures to Dubai, Qatar, Egypt and Jordan, in alignment with guidance from global authorities.
The cruise line currently operates one ship on the Nile River.
