MSC Cruises has announced that it has further extended the suspension of its departures fleet-wide through to 29 May, in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

The company previously announced the temporary halting of all its ships globally through to 30 April.

In a statement, the line said: “As governments across the globe have since further strengthened ashore public health and safety measures to protect local populations and contain the further spread of the virus, today’s decision by MSC Cruises to further extend this extraordinary measure aims to mirror and further support the effectiveness of such efforts.

“MSC Cruises is working tirelessly with all guests and their travel agents to address the impact of this necessary decision to their bookings on our ships up to 29 May and it is genuinely sorry for the inconvenience that this will cause them.

“By announcing this now, the company intends to provide travel agents and guests who are booked on affected sailings with as much time as possible to move their booking to a future cruise.”

MSC Cruises is offering guests affected by the measure a future cruise credit of 125 per cent to be used on a future cruise of their choice at any point through to the end of 2021.

Other cruise lines have also extended suspensions, including P&O Cruises and Cunard, which will now not sail their fleet until 15 May 2020.

Visit gov.uk for the latest coronavirus travel advice.

Our view:

The cruise industry is facing an unprecedented and ever-changing situation, and we are committed to keeping you informed with the most up-to-date news. However, we firmly believe that the cruise industry will bounce back. When it does, we’ll be on hand to help you get back to selling the cruises that people love.