After they have shunned Israel due to security reasons, luxury cruises are beginning to return to country; expected to bring some 40,000 visitors to Israel in coming months.

The large international cruise ships have recently returned to Israel's shores, after having taken the country off their destination list in recent years due to the volatile security situation.

The ships will dock at Haifa and Ashdod's ports in the coming months, bringing with them an estimated 40,000 tourists.

The first ship to come to Israel this September is the luxurious Vision of the Seas, owned by Royal Caribbean. The ship, which hosts up to 2,500 guests in each cruise, will visit Israel nine times during September-November as part of its Holy Land Cruise.

The recently inaugurated Celebrity Equinox of Celebrity Cruises will soon launch a series of nine 13-14 day sailings in the Mediterranean under the title of "Ancient Empires." Like Vision of the Seas, Celebrity Equinox will also dock at Haifa and Ashdod harbors.

The two vessels are expected to bring some 40,000 tourists for one-day trips to Israel.

On October 12 the Crystal Serenity will arrive in Israel as part of its round-the-world cruise.