Due to security concerns raised by Yemen's Houthi rebels, Silversea's vessel Silver Moon adjusted its cruise schedule from January 6 to 16, 2024.
Originally planned to sail from Aqaba-Petra Jordan to Muscat Oman, the current itinerary was altered due to safety concerns arising from Houthi rebel attacks on ships in the Red Sea. The voyage will now conclude at the port of Piraeus-Athens Greece, instead of Muscat.
Guests were notified of these changes on January 9, 2024, with the adjusted journey including stops at Egyptian alternative ports, Sharm el-Sheikh and Sokhna, before transiting the Suez Canal to disembark in Piraeus.
In response to the evolving situation, Silversea further modified the Silver Moon's schedule. Due to the unsafe conditions at the Bab al-Mandab Strait, subsequent voyages departing from Muscat on January 16, 2024, and from Dubai on January 26 have been canceled. The ship, devoid of passengers for crew safety, will navigate around Africa into the Indian Ocean. Regular cruises are expected to resume on February 11, 2024, starting from Mumbai India, with Silver Moon voyages continuing in Asia until the end of May 2024.
The escalating security risk at the exit from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean has prompted Silversea Cruises to implement a comprehensive route change, altering the disembarkation port and canceling two upcoming trips for the Silver Moon.
Currently, cruise ships with guests are prohibited from passing through the perilous Bab al-Mandab Strait. While alternatives such as trips without passengers or circumnavigating Africa are possible, they require extensive schedule adjustments and travel cancellations.