Family holidays have turned into a nightmare as British cruise passengers have become stranded on ships in the Middle East since Iran launched its barrage of missiles and drones on Dubai amid escalating tensions with the US and Israel. Currently docked at ports in the Gulf nation and its neighbouring emirate, Abu Dhabi, are six cruise ships, with those on board describing hearing “loud bangs” as missiles detonated in interceptions above their heads.

British passenger William Hunter, 55, said it felt like being “trapped in a gilded cage” aboard the MSC Euribia, which was expected to set sail on February 28 from Port Rashid Docks in Dubai, but never left the port. “I didn’t fancy being in a gilded jail with a drinks package like everybody else and pretending like what is going on isn’t actually happening,” he told The Telegraph, adding that he was met with “immense hostility” from the cruise company when he said he wanted to leave. The Edinburgh business owner said he refused to sign “all sorts of disclaimers” thrust upon him and booked a resort 30 minutes from Dubai on Sunday (March 1) because he feared the ship, which has 6,000 passengers and 2,000 crew members on board, could be a target.

Also on board the Euribia is Scottish traveller, Lesley Ballantyne, who told CNN Travel she woke up in the early hours of Saturday to an alert on her phone warning of potential missile threats, ordering her to seek immediate shelter. Fellow Brit Sharon Cockram also shared her shock at getting caught up in such a situation: “It’s always something you watch on the TV from home”.

Ms Cockram is particularly eager to get home to her daughter, who is pregnant and expecting any moment. “Our daughter in the UK is worried sick,” she said. However, both Ms Ballantyne and Ms Cockram said they feel safe onboard and are happy to remain until the cruise line decides it is safe to embark.

An MSC Cruises spokesman said all guests who joined on Saturday were given a full refund. They added: “The situation on board remains calm. We are providing guests with regular updates on the situation.

“They have full access to all onboard services and facilities, and we continue to provide a high standard of care, comfort and support.”

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Other stranded ships in the region include Celestyal Cruises’ Journey in Doha, Qatar, and the Discovery in Dubai. Also stuck are TUI’s Mein Schiff 4 in Abu Dhabi and the Mein Schiff 5 in Doha. Airspace in the region remains either closed or limited, and vessels are currently unable to pass the Iran-controlled Strait of Hormuz.

Brits travelling by sea are not the only ones affected. Adam Darlow, 37, from Rogerstone, is also trapped in Dubai after his flight was cancelled alongside his wife, Loisa Darlow, 34, and their two young daughters, Franchesca, 12, and Alexandra, 7, without their luggage and were forced to move to cheaper accommodation.

“We were on holiday, and we were supposed to leave on the 28th. We got as far as getting on the plane and were on the runway for a while and then they disembarked us,” Mr Darlow told South Wales Argus. “We then left the airport because it was chaos there, and everyone was shocked and didn’t know what was going on. We didn’t get our cases back, and we still haven’t received our cases or anything from Emirates about when the rescheduled flight will be.”

Leaving without their luggage, they soon learned that the airport had been struck by a missile. Dubai Airport’s Terminal 2 was hit, injuring four people, while a fire broke out at Dubai’s Fairmont The Palm hotel following a “missile attack”.