Cruise Lines Scramble to Remove Russia from Summer 2022 Sailings

(Latest Update: March 4, 2022) With the uncertainty in the Russia-Ukraine region, cruise lines are opting to change itineraries for sailings calling on St. Petersburg, Russia. 

Currently, all major cruise lines such as Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Viking Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Oceania Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Seabourn, all have 2022 sailings that include a stop at the Russian port of St. Petersburg.   

Atlas Ocean Voyages announced that on both the Hamburg-to-Kiel itinerary, departing August 26, 2022, and Kiel-roundtrip itineraries, departing September 7, World Navigator will drop St. Petersburg, Russia, and now call at Kotka and Mariehamn, Finland. “Atlas Ocean Voyages’ top priority is the safety and comfort of our guests and crew,” said Alberto Aliberti, President of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “With unrest in Eastern Europe, we have adjusted our voyages and replaced our Russia calls with equally exciting and charming destinations in Finland and Estonia. Guests will enjoy these unique and rarely visited destinations and immersive shore excursions to take in the rich cultures and breathtaking vistas of the Baltic.”

All Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings brands have announced port cancelations in the region. Oceania Cruises has notified guests booked on itineraries calling on St. Petersburg that they are working to find a replacement port and that all shore excursions currently booked will be refunded. Norwegian Cruise Line has also said that it will be altering its itineraries to replace St. Petersburg on a number of its Baltic cruises. Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Getaway, and Norwegian Prima were all scheduled to call on St. Petersburg in 2022. "As we continue to prioritize the health, safety, and security of our guests and crew and the communities we visit, and due to the escalated situation between Russia and Ukraine, we have decided to alter itineraries and remove calls to St. Petersburg, Russia from our 2022 sailings," said Norwegian in an official statement. Similarly, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has canceled all upcoming voyages calling on St. Petersburg. 

Viking, which operates both ocean and river cruises in the region, has made modifications to its 2022 itineraries in light of the situation. The line has canceled all 2022 departures for both its Ukraine and Russian river cruises. 

Celebrity Cruises has yet to announce changes to any itineraries calling on St. Petersburg. The line shared the following with travel advisors in a note, "We are continuously monitoring events taking place around the world, including the situation in Ukraine. With recent events, we are evaluating whether or not we will be able to visit St. Petersburg, Russia, as scheduled.
At this time, our intention is to sail to St. Petersburg; however, we also have plans to visit alternate ports, should we feel that changing our itinerary is the best path forward for booked guests."

Windstar Cruises has canceled all sailings in the region. The line issued the following statement, "In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, small-ship cruise line Windstar Cruises has canceled all sailings and cruise tours in the Black Sea region and will change its Baltic itineraries to replace calls in St. Petersburg, Russia with calls in a non-Russian port. Guests and travel advisors will be notified of the changes."

Carnival Corporation brands Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, Costa Cruises, AIDA, and P&O all call on the Baltic region and have cruises slated to call on St. Petersburg, Russia this summer. The company issued the following statement via Twitter, "In light of the recent attacks by Russia in Ukraine, Carnival Corporation brands will be modifying our itineraries in the coming week once alternative ports can be confirmed. We stand for peace."

MSC Cruises announced they will suspend their calls on St. Petersburg for all cruises through Sept. 24, 2022. The port was scheduled for selected MSC Preziosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Poesia and MSC Virtuosa Baltic itineraries. MSC is working to confirm alternative ports and will announce changes to travelers affected. 

We will update this article as more information becomes available from each cruise line sailing in the region.