Nicko Cruises is adjusting the itinerary of its upcoming world cruise onboard the Vasco da Gama due to security concerns in the Red Sea area.

Instead of sailing through the region, guests will be offered a land program while the vessel deadheads to Saudi Arabia

According to a press release, the decision combines “responsible route planning with a high-quality, four-day overland program.”

Sailing roundtrip from Hamburg, the Vasco da Gama kicks off its 175-night world cruise on November 7, 2025.

Only one of the segments of the itinerary was affected, which is the leg that sails between Dubai and Piraeus (Athens) on March 20, 2026.

Nicko said that in order to ensure their safety and well-being, passengers will disembark the vessel in Salalah, Oman.

The cruise line will then offer a land program that ends in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where guests are set to reembark to continue their planned itinerary.

“The well-being of our guests is always our top priority,” said Guido Laukamp, managing director of Nicko Cruises.

“Even though we hope that the conditions for shipping around Yemen will continue to stabilize before our planned passage, we are proactively offering a high-quality, enriching land program in Saudi Arabia. This allows us to combine safety with unique cultural insights and create an unforgettable travel experience for our guests,” he added.

According to the company, the shore segment of the trip offers an “attractive wealth of unforgettable experiences and adventures.”

Guests will travel to Saudi Arabia via charter flights before spending four nights at a four-star hotel in Jeddah.

In addition, passengers will enjoy cultural, culinary and natural attractions of the region through a series of shore excursions.

Nicko said that while some of the tours will be included, others can be booked onboard ahead of the land program.

After returning to the Vasco da Gama, guests will continue their world cruise by crossing the Suez Canal ahead of sailing to the Mediterranean and Western Europe.