Concerned about potential escalations to the conflict in the Middle East, Virgin has announced a major detour for the repositioning cruise of its ship, Resilient Lady, departing Australia on March 27. Leaving from Sydney, the repositioning cruise will sail around the coast of Africa.

It will call first at Eden and Fremantle (Perth) in Australia and then Mauritius en route to Africa.

After Durban and Cape Town, Resilient Lady will sail up the western Africa coast with a call at Walvis Bay (Namibia) and Praia (Cape Verde) before stops in Tenerife, Casablanca, Barcelona and Valletta (Malta). The ship then calls at Santorini and Piraeus (Athens) in Greece.

Guests wishing to cancel have the option of a future cruise credit or a full refund.

Virgin said all travel agent commissions will be protected,

In a statement the cruise line said, “Virgin Voyages is now conducting a full review of other geographically similar repositioning voyages and linked sailings.”

“We will provide an update in the coming weeks on any further changes we will need to make.”