MSC Cruises has cancelled MSC Orchestra’s and MSC Sinfonia’s full winter programmes due to the planned sailings’ proximity to Israel.

Orchestra will no longer sail its planned itineraries in the Red Sea from 8 November 2023 to 17 April 2024 and the winter programme for Sinfonia from 12 November 2023 to 15 April 2024 has been cancelled as the ship’s main highlight in its itinerary was Haifa in Israel.

There are also some minor changes to the itineraries of the grand voyages for MSC Virtuosa, MSC Opera and MSC Splendida and to two 11-night sailings for MSC Armonia.

MSC Cruises to modify other itineraries ‘if necessary’

MSC Cruises said some travel restrictions have been made by local authorities in certain destinations and also some national governments have issued advisories against travel to certain areas.

Passengers affected by the changes can move their cruise of a similar length of travel to an alternative ship and itinerary or request a full refund.

“The safety of our passengers and crew is always our upmost priority and during an evolving situation we will continue to monitor the situation and modify ship itineraries if necessary,” the line said.

It comes after MSC revised Sinfonia’s and MSC Musica’s Eastern Mediterranean itineraries last week in light of the ongoing conflict.