In light of the current geopolitical situation and to ensure the safety of its passengers and crew, MSC Cruises has been forced to cancel its winter program in the Red Sea aboard the MSC Orchestra. The program was originally scheduled to run from November 8, 2023, to April 17, 2024. This decision is a response to the proximity of certain port calls to Israel and a series of restrictions in neighboring countries that could impact the safety and enjoyment of passengers, as stated in the company’s announcement on its travel website.
Additionally, MSC Cruises has also canceled the winter program on the MSC Sinfonia, which was set to operate from November 12, 2023, to April 15, 2024. This move was made because many of the cruises had the port of Haifa in Israel as a key point in their itineraries. Minor adjustments to the itineraries of cruises on MSC Virtuosa, MSC Opera, and MSC Splendida are expected in the near future.
As an alternative, the company is offering passengers booked on MSC Orchestra cruises the option to transfer their bookings to cruises on the MSC Opera or any cruise departing until May 2024, in destinations including the Persian Gulf, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, and the Caribbean. Alternatively, passengers may choose to cancel their cruise and receive a full refund.
