MSC Cruises has cancelled a 24-night voyage aboard the MSC Musica that was set to depart from Durban to Europe in April 2025.
The decision comes amid the Red Sea crisis resulting from the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict which has affected the route.
“We regret to inform you that due to operational reasons affecting the deployment of the MSC Musica your upcoming cruise has been cancelled,” the company stated in a message sent to guests.
The MSC Musica was scheduled to leave South African waters for Genoa on April 2, 2025. The month-long itinerary included stops in the Indian Ocean before navigating the Red Sea and Suez Canal.
Along its route to the Mediterranean, the ship was also scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan. Passengers could disembark in several European ports, including Civitavecchia, Marseille, and Lisbon.
“We understand that this may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely apologise for the disappointment this may cause,” MSC Cruises said.
Passengers will be presented with three options:
- A full refund of their booking fare.
- MSC also allows guests to transfer their booking to another Grand Voyage of similar duration without any administration fee. For this option, if the new cruise matches the length and category of the original booking, MSC will ensure the best available fare is applied.
- Additionally, guests may choose to book any other cruise currently available for sale without incurring an administration fee.
The U.S. Navy has been fighting Houthi rebels in the Red Sea since November. More than 130 vessels have been targeted by the rebels, endangering vital shipping routes.
Most of the attacks were directed at commercial shipping, although some targeted Israel or US military vessels.
The MSC Musica will continue its winter season in South Africa, operating between late November and late March.
IOL Travel