MSC postpones Magnifica restart
MSC Cruises is postponing this month’s planned restart of MSC Magnifica until the end of September after seeing cancellations and a ‘softening in demand’.
The cruise line said: "In connection with the recent introduction of additional testing measures for residents of Italy having travelled to Greece, we are seeing cancellations and a softening in demand since the ship’s itinerary includes as many as three ports in that country.
"This has led to the decision to delay the restart of the ship by four weeks."
MSC Magnifica cruise departures from 29 August to 19 September have been cancelled and the first cruise will depart from Bari, Italy with an unchanged itinerary on 26 September.
Earlier this month, MSC announced it would resume sailings on Magnifica and Grandiosa, for passengers from Schengen countries only. British and Irish passengers will be not be able to travel with the cruise line until the end of October.
Guests affected by the cancelled cruises will be offered a place on Grandiosa, which is currently sailing in the West Mediterranean, or a cruise credit to be used in the future on any ship.
Grandiosa is currently offering seven-night cruises with embarkation in the Italian ports of Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples and Palermo and calling at Valetta, Malta.
Last week a family was booted off Grandiosa for not following social distancing rules.
By Lisa James, Deputy Editor (UK)
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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