MSC Cruises has cancelled three repositioning Grand Voyage sailings in April from South Africa and the United Arab Emirates to Europe because of the risk to shipping in the Red Sea.
Ongoing attacks on merchant vessels has obliged the company to cancel a 24-night cruise of MSC Splendida from Durban, South Africa to Genoa, Italy, a 21-night sailing of MSC Opera from Dubai, UAE to Genoa and a 23-night voyage of MSC Virtuosa, pictured, from Dubai to Southampton.
In a statement, MSC said” The safety of passengers and crew is the number one priority and as there was no viable alternative itinerary, the Company has regrettably had to cancel the voyages.
“The three ships will transfer directly to Europe without any passengers on board and avoid transiting through the Red Sea. Instead, they will sail around the west coast of Africa with no ports of call on their journeys to their respective European homeports for the summer 2024 season.”
None of the company’s other ships in its fleet are affected.