Celebrity Cruises reports bounceback in sales following Iran war impact

Celebrity Cruises is “closely monitoring” the impact of the Iran war, while reporting a bounceback in bookings following a slowdown.

Claire Stirrup, the line’s managing director for the UK and EMEA, said demand had improved in the time since conflict broke out between the US and Iran at the end of February.

“Up to that point, we had a really strong start to the year and then it slowed. But business is picking up, which is great,” she said, adding: “Europe is performing well.”

Stirrup, speaking in Lisbon during Celebrity Cruises’s mega fam with 200 agents, revealed last-minute bookings continue to build momentum, while sailings for 2027 and 2028 are also generating interest.

She said travel agents had faced significant challenges linked to the Iran war, including the need to rebook clients, but added the channel is regaining strength.

“Overall, the trade seems to be bouncing back, which is great,” she said, adding: “Customers are booking cruises. They want to travel and they all want holidays.”

The mega fam, taking place on Celebrity Apex from Lisbon to Southampton, is the biggest the line has hosted to date.

The group mainly consists of top sellers, but some agents have been chosen in recognition of achievements such as making their first booking with the line.

“We’re going to completely immerse them in the Celebrity experience and they’ll see why nothing comes close to Celebrity Cruises,” said Stirrup.

“We feel really passionate about our trade partners and everything they do. So this is a really huge congratulations and thank you.”