MSC Cruises has officially cancelled the upcoming Grand Voyage of its latest ship, the MSC Euribia, due to escalating tensions in the Red Sea area, which are affecting the safety of maritime operations.
Originally set to depart on October 19, 2024, from Kiel, Germany, the journey was to highlight MSC Euribia’s entry into the cruise line’s fleet. It featured stops across Northern Europe and the Mediterranean before sailing through the Suez Canal to Dubai.
The decision to cancel the voyage follows concerns over the safety of navigating through the Red Sea, a region currently experiencing heightened maritime threats.
“The safety and well-being of our guests are our top priority, and under the current circumstances, no viable alternative routes exist for this trip.”
MSC Cruises stated in an email to travel agents.
Despite the cancellation, MSC Euribia will still relocate to Dubai, initiating passenger sailings starting November 16 from Dubai and Doha, Qatar. The ship will either navigate at high speed through the Red Sea without passengers or take an alternative route around Africa.
The latter option, while safer, extends the travel distance significantly and precludes carrying passengers due to logistical constraints in visiting planned ports while ensuring timely arrival in Dubai.
This adjustment in schedule follows a similar pattern to that recently announced for Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas, which also involved itinerary changes due to the same regional tensions.
MSC Euribia, which debuted in June 2023, is the latest addition to MSC Cruises’ fleet. A Mereviglia-plus-class vessel powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), it boasts a gross tonnage of 184,011 and can accommodate up to 6,327 guests.
For travellers affected by the cancellation, MSC Cruises is offering several alternatives. Passengers can transfer their booking to a different Grand Voyage on another ship or different dates on the MSC Euribia without additional costs to the cruise fare.
Alternatively, bookings can be shifted to any available MSC Cruises voyage without a change fee. For those who prefer not to reschedule, a full refund is available. All decisions must be finalised by April 26, 2024, after which any unresolved bookings will be automatically cancelled and refunded.
This proactive approach by MSC Cruises aims to manage the impacts of global geopolitical tensions on its operations, prioritising passenger safety while attempting to minimize disruptions to planned travel itineraries.
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