MSC suspends St Petersburg calls over 'security concerns'

From the end of May until October, the line’s four ships due to operate Baltic Sea sailings which include St Petersburg – MSC Preziosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Poesia and MSC Virtuosa – will all suspend their calls to the city.

No MSC ships are currently calling at St Petersburg.

MSC said the health and safety of its passengers and crew was “a top priority” and that “since the onset” of the conflict in Ukraine, it had been in touch with alternative ports – such as Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn – to confirm new calls.

The decision comes after Riviera Travel cancelled all tours and cruises to Russia "for the foreseeable future".

Carnival Corp brands P&O Cruises and Cunard amended their Baltic cruise itineraries in response to the escalating conflict, while other cruise lines and operators said they were "monitoring the situation closely".

Viking Cruises cancelled all of its 2022 Kyiv and Black Sea departures and said it was evaluating all 2022 itineraries featuring calls in Russia.

MSC said it would communicate the details of changes on each individual sailing to travel agents and customers “as soon as possible”.

MSC’s website will also be updated to reflect the confirmed details of new itineraries to “provide maximum clarity” for existing guests and future guests looking to book Baltic Sea sailings.