Cruise lines draw up new winter programmes avoiding Israel

MSC Cruises has pulled two ships’ Red Sea programmes, while Royal Caribbean International has scrapped all remaining 2023 itineraries departing from Israel’s Haifa. Royal said it was continuing to “monitor the ever-evolving situation” amid the war between Israel and Hamas.

MSC said it took the decision to axe MSC Orchestra’s winter sailings due to the proximity of “some of the ship’s ports of call to Israel”. MSC Sinfonia’s sailings, meanwhile, were cancelled, as their main highlight was a call in Haifa.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is amending its Middle East itineraries after cancelling all calls to Israel this year. NCL said: “As always, the safety and security of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our top priority. We have made the decision to cancel all calls to Israel for the remainder of 2023.”