Chris Frame the Maritime Historian
#2 AU/NZ
Running the Blockade; How 5 Cruise Ships Escaped the Gulf
BREAKING: The Strait of Hormuz has long been a strategic choke point, but for the 15,000 passengers and crew members aboard five major cruise ships, it recently became a maritime prison. After 47 days of being stranded in the Persian Gulf due to regional conflict, a high-stakes "escape" finally occurred. In this video, we track the movements of the five stranded vessels, including MSC Euribia, Mein Schiff 4, Mein Schiff 5, and the two Celestyal ships, as they navigated a narrow, two-day window to clear the Strait of Hormuz before it was closed once again. We explore the reported "splash" incident near the Omani coast, the decision-making behind the skeleton crews used for the transit, and where these ships are actually heading now. While some are braving the Suez Canal to reach the Mediterranean, others have begun the massive journey around the Cape of Good Hope. We also check in on the Aroya Manara, the final ship to leave the Gulf, and what this means for the start of the 2026 European cruise season. "Splash" article: https://maritime-executive.com/article/four-cruise-ships-escape-persian-gulf-after-being-trapped-for-47-days#:~:text=ships%20Mein%20Schiff%204%20and%20Mein%20Schiff,on%20Saturday%20through%20the%20Strait%20of%20Hormuz. — 📚 Buy my books: https://www.frameandcross.com/books 👕 Buy cruise merch: https://chrisframeofficial.teemill.com/ 🛳️ The Maritime Historian: https://themaritimehistorian.substack.com/ — 🎥 OUR EQUIPMENT: Camera - DJI Pocket 3: https://amzn.to/4sG6nc7 DJI Lav Mic: DJI Lavalier Mic: https://amzn.to/4klRgBA DJI Roaving Mic Transmitter: https://amzn.to/3Qji62Q Voice Over Mic: Audio Technica: https://amzn.to/4ij8myg These are affiliate links meaning we may receive a small commission from any sales. 🗺️ CUSTOM CRUISE MAP: Made using AIS (satellite ship-tracking) data, The Cruise Maps show the exact route. Select your cruise, give your map a title, and we'll do the rest. Use my code "ChrisFrameOfficial" for 10% off at: https://thecruisemaps.com/chrisframeofficial This is an affiliate link, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase through it. — 🌍 THE CRUISE GLOBE: Map your own cruises at: https://www.thecruiseglobe.com/ — Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgk7SzYDkiXWWBfMqXYH0cA/join — Image Credits Image 1: Pjotr Mahhonin, CC BY-SA 4.0 Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=171852703 Image 2: Radomianin, CC BY-SA 4.0 Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=114823218 Image 3: HenSti, CC BY-SA 4.0 Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49779208 Image 4: Pjotr Mahhonin, CC BY-SA 4.0 Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=173625540 Image 5: HenSti, CC BY-SA 4.0 Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=84761372 Image 6: Jacopo Tofani, CC BY-SA 4.0 Link: https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=170681901 License Link: All images are used under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ Disclosure: Thumbnail image made with support from Gemini and Canva Editing Tools.