MSC Cruises has repositioned MSC Orchestra away from the Red Sea due to the proximity of some ports of call to Israel and the restrictions in place in some bordering countries.

The vessel will now sail seven-night voyages from 16 December 2023 to 19 April 2024 calling at Valencia, Spain; Cagliari, Sardinia; Civitavecchia for Rome, Livorno for Pisa and Florence, Italy; Marseille, France and Palma in Mallorca before returning to Valencia.

It comes after the line cancelled Orchestra’s and Sinfonia’s full winter programmes due to the planned sailings’ proximity to Israel.

MSC Cruises reshuffles itineraries to avoid conflict areas

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, Opera and Splendida and to two 11-night sailings for MSC Armonia.