MSC Cruises cancels Red Sea sailings...

Some ports of call too close to Israel

MSC Cruises has cancelled all sailings scheduled to call at destinations in the Red Sea until 17 April 2024 due to the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza.

The line has cancelled the full winter programmes of both MSC Orchestra (pictured) and MSC Sinfonia and made “minor changes” to the itineraries on the Grand Voyages of MSC Virtuosa, MSC Opera and MSC Splendida.

Minor changes have also been made to two 11-night sailings on MSC Armonia.

MSC Cruises said it has made the alterations because of the proximity of some ships’ ports of call to Israel and also because “restrictions in the bordering countries would have adversely affected the holiday experience for passengers”.

The line emphasised that the safety of its passengers and crew remains its “upmost priority” and it will continue to monitor the conflict and modify ship itineraries if necessary, adding: “Passengers affected by the changes can move their cruise of a similar length of travel to an alternative ship and itinerary or request a full refund.”