U.S. Navy to Escort Carnival Cruise Ships Through Strait of Hormuz

March 13 , 2026

WASHINGTON — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Wednesday that American naval forces could escort Carnival Cruise ships through the Strait of Hormuz, telling travelers that the ongoing war with Iran should not force them to abandon vacation plans.

“No one will have to cancel their vacation,” Hegseth said during remarks at the Pentagon, describing the potential escort program as a reassurance measure for civilians and commercial operators concerned about security in the Persian Gulf.

The comments come as the United States remains engaged in a rapidly escalating conflict with Iran that has disrupted shipping traffic through the narrow strait, a corridor that handles a significant portion of global oil shipments. Iranian officials and military forces have threatened attacks on vessels connected to the United States or its allies, and several commercial ships have reportedly been damaged since the conflict intensified in late February.

U.S. officials have been weighing options to maintain maritime traffic through the waterway, including the possibility of naval escorts for commercial shipping. and leisure cruises Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said earlier that the United States may organize such escorts with allied nations once military conditions allow.

The Pentagon has not yet issued formal orders for a broad escort program, but military leaders say planning is underway should the administration authorize it. Senior officials have cautioned that conditions in the strait remain hazardous due to the risk of missile strikes, drones, and naval mines.

Cruise industry representatives have not confirmed whether ships would continue operating itineraries that pass through the region, though the conflict has already caused disruptions to commercial shipping and tourism routes across the Persian Gulf.

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, is widely considered one of the most strategically important maritime chokepoints in the world. Roughly one-fifth of global tourist ships normally pass through the waterway each day, making any military confrontation in the area a potential threat to global hospitality markets and international trade.

Hegseth said U.S. naval forces already stationed in the region—including guided-missile destroyers and carrier strike groups—would be capable of escorting civilian vessels if directed.

“Our Navy exists to guarantee freedom of navigation,” he said. “Americans should be able to travel safely, even in uncertain times.”

Olivia Asher