MSC Cruises has postponed the restart of MSC Magnifica until 26 September because of a passenger exodus.
Cancellations and a softening in demand followed the recent introduction of additional COVID testing measures for Italian residents travelling to Greece, where Magnifica’s itinerary included as many as three ports.
As a result MSC delayed the restart of the ship by four weeks but believes reservations will start to pick up again due to the appeal of the itinerary.
Magnifica’s sales are open to residents of the Schengen area, although in this early phase of restart the majority of guests are expected to be Italian nationals and residents.
Its departures from 29 August to 19 September have been cancelled, and the first cruise will now depart from Bari, Italy, with an unchanged itinerary on 26 September.
Meanwhile, MSC Grandiosa is currently offering 7-night cruises with embarkation in the Italian ports of Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples and Palermo and calling additionally at Valetta, Malta.