MSC Cruises has announced an extension of the temporary pause of its U.S.-based sailings, as well as a pause in the operations of MSC Grandiosa and MSC Magnifica in January.
The temporary pause in its U.S.-based sailings will continue through to Feb. 28, 2021, and will affect the schedules of three ships based in Florida: MSC Seaside in Port Canaveral, and MSC Meraviglia and MSC Armonia both in Port Miami.
Guests booked and paid in full through MSC Cruises USA or affiliated U.S.-based travel advisors on the impacted sailings will be offered a 125 percent future cruise credit (FCC) of the original cruise fare where they have the opportunity to transfer the full amount paid for their cancelled cruise to a future cruise of their choice – on any ship, and any itinerary – through Apr. 30, 2022, or can request a refund.
The 125% FCC provides guests with opportunities to upgrade their stateroom category and add pre-purchases such as specialty dining, beverage packages, Wi-Fi, or spa treatments to their booking.
MSC Cruises has also announced that it will temporarily pause the operation of MSC Grandiosa later this month, as well as move the planned restart of MSC Magnifica to January.
The decision to pause operations was made due to the just-issued extensive restrictions on people’s mobility by the Italian Government that effectively make it impossible for local and international guests to travel to and from any Italy-based embarkation ports.
In its efforts to combat the pandemic ashore, Italy has almost completely restricted the movement of residents, no longer only between regions of the country, but between cities and towns. These measures will apply to residents of Italy between Dec. 21, 2020 and Jan. 6, 2021. The new rules will also effectively restrict the ability of residents of other countries to travel to and through Italy.
In accordance with the new rules, MSC Grandiosa will temporarily pause its current program of 7-night voyages scheduled to begin on Dec. 20, 2020 in Genoa, Italy. The ship will then resume its Western Mediterranean cruises on Jan. 10, 2021 also from Genoa.
While MSC Magnifica, which was due to re-start 10-night voyages in the West and East Mediterranean on Dec. 18, 2020 from Genoa, will now commence its sailing program on Jan. 15, 2021, following the cancellation of three previous sailings.
For more information visit msccruises.com.
