In response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, MSC Cruises has revised its itineraries for MSC Sinfonia and MSC Musica in the Eastern Mediterranean.
- MSC Sinfonia’s planned sailings will no longer include Haifa, Israel, and instead feature Istanbul, Turkey, with other changes in Greek and Turkish ports.
- MSC Musica will also alter its voyages, replacing Haifa with destinations like Rhodes and Marmaris for upcoming departures in October and November.
- The company emphasises the safety of passengers and crew as a priority, while swiftly communicating these changes to those affected.
- Other cruise lines, such as Celestyal, have also modified their itineraries to reflect the ongoing situation in the region.
In light of the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, MSC Cruises has taken decisive action to adjust the itineraries of its ships, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Musica. This strategic decision aims to ensure the safety and comfort of its passengers and crew while maintaining an attractive schedule for travellers. MSC Sinfonia will see significant changes, with Haifa in Israel being replaced by Istanbul in Turkey for its upcoming eight 11-night voyages. This alteration will result in additional changes where Rhodes will be replaced by Piraeus, Greece, and Izmir in Turkey will take the place of Limassol, Cyprus. The new itinerary will commence on 21 October 2023, featuring ports in Italy, such as Genoa, Civitavecchia, and Messina, before sailing to Piraeus, Izmir, Istanbul, and Heraklion, Crete, eventually returning to Genoa.
Similarly, MSC Musica’s operational plans have been adjusted with three seven-night voyages from Piraeus, Greece. Haifa is being replaced by the Greek island of Rhodes on departures scheduled for 18 and 25 October 2023, and Marmaris in Turkey will feature on 1 November 2023. These adjustments underline MSC’s commitment to passenger safety amid the uncertainty in the region.
MSC Cruises CEO, Gianni Onorato, stated, “the safety of the line’s passengers and crew is always our top priority.” This emphasises the cruise line’s proactive stance in revising itineraries to mitigate potential risks while ensuring that the itineraries remain appealing and enjoyable for passengers. The company is in the process of communicating these changes to passengers and travel agent partners, thereby ensuring transparency and clarity.
Furthermore, MSC Cruises will update its website to reflect these itinerary changes, providing essential information for existing passengers and those seeking to book winter holidays in the Eastern Mediterranean. Meanwhile, other cruise operators such as Celestyal have also responded to the situation by temporarily suspending calls to Israel on its Three Continents itinerary until late November 2023. Such actions by cruise operators underscore a vigilant approach to itinerary planning in response to geopolitical challenges.
The adjustments to MSC’s itineraries demonstrate a prudent response to geopolitical instability, ensuring both safety and enjoyable travel experiences.
