Update: MSC Cruises temporarily suspends SA voyages but there is a silver lining…

The docked MSC Orchestra. Photo: Yvon Maurice / flickr

MSC Cruises has temporarily suspended all local cruises in South Africa until 9 January 2022.

In their statement released on 10 December 2021, MSC Cruises announced that they had voluntarily and temporarily suspended all its domestic sailings in South Africa with immediate effect until January 2022. Their decision was made in regards to the most recent and sudden evolution of the COVID-19 virus, particularly in the past week in the country.

Already booked your voyage with MSC Cruises? Worry not!

The cruise line’s decision will lead to the cancellation of all sailings of MSC Orchestra from the port of Durban and all booked guests will receive a voucher for a cruise later in the season at their convenience or a refund.

Ross Volk, the Managing Director of MSC Cruises South Africa, said,

“We made this voluntary decision in an abundance of caution towards our guests, our crew and the communities that MSC Orchestra was scheduled to visit in the coming weeks. This is what our health and safety protocol is designed to do, in accordance with the evolution of the pandemic ashore and to ensure the utmost protection to our guests and crew.”

He also added,

“We now also await eagerly for any additional guidance from the South African government for its citizens so that we can also reflect any new measures into our own health and safety protocol. “We understand that our decision will be very disappointing to those guests that will have their voyages cancelled but I hope that they will understand that it was made with their wellbeing in mind, as the health and safety of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our number one priority.”

MSC Cruises had resumed its sailings in South Africa on Monday, 6 December after a 20-month hiatus when the MSC Orchestra departed from Durban for a 4-night cruise. The luxury cruise liner will resume her sailings on 9 January 2022.

ALSO READ: All aboard!: Do you need to be vaccinated to experience an MSC Cruise?

Sundeeka Mungroo

Sundeeka Mungroo is a content writer, foodie and all-round adventure-seeker. She's a graduate of the University of South Africa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature, and has worked as a copywriter and editor in the digital marketing industry. Sundeeka currently writes for I Love South Africa and The South African. She lives in the beautiful Mother City and loves exploring all that South Africa has to offer.