MSC pulls Red Sea programme as Middle East crisis deepens
Harry KembleMSC Cruises has cancelled two ships’ itinerary programmes due to safety concerns as the conflict in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas intensifies.
Both MSC Orchestra and MSC Sinfonia’s programmes that were due to run from next month until mid-April have been pulled.
The line took the decision to axe MSC Orchestra’s winter sailings to the Red Sea because of the proximity of “some of the ship’s ports of call to Israel”.
MSC Sinfonia’s sailings, meanwhile, have been cancelled as their main highlight was a call in Haifa in Israel.
MSC said various travel restrictions in countries neighbouring Israel would have also “adversely affected the holiday experience for passengers”.
The line is also making some “minor changes” to grand voyage itineraries onboard MSC Virtuosa, MSC Opera, MSC Splendida and MSC Armonia.
Affected passengers can move their cruise booking to a similar ship and itinerary, or request a full refund, the line said.
MSC Cruises added the safety of its passengers and crew was its upmost priority, stressing that during an "evolving situation" in the region, it would continue to monitor the situation and change itineraries if necessary.
Virgin Atlantic last week pushed back plans to resume flying to Tel Aviv, a little over 24 hours after announcing it would restart one of its two daily services to the Israeli city.
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