MSC Cruises has suspended all voyages in South Africa until at least November 2021. The cruise operator said it made the decision as approval to set sail has not been given from the relevant authorities.
This includes the Department of Transport, Department of Health, Port Health, Department of Home Affairs as well as the South African Maritime Safety Authority.
Although onboard inspection of MSC’s protocols was completed in December 2020 and authorities were satisfied at the time, the MSC said can’t wait any longer for the final go-ahead.
‘We did our best to resume operations in South Africa safely and responsibly so that it was possible to sail in the region, just as we did in Europe,’ said Ross Volk, director of MSC Cruises SA.
‘This was a difficult decision to make as we had invested in preparing as much as possible while the relevant authorities conducted their analysis. While we await their final decision, the delay makes it impossible for us to perform the remaining sailings.’
Passengers with existing bookings for the period up until November will receive cruise credit to the value of their current 2020/2021 booking for future use, as well as onboard credit of $50 per cabin.
The company will be bringing two ships to South Africa’s shores for the 2021/2022 cruise season. From November 2021 to April 2022 MSC Lirica, which will be homeported in Cape Town, will join MSC Musica homeported in Durban. This will mark the first time that two different class MSC Cruises’ ships (Lirica and Musica Class) will be deployed in the country simultaneously.
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Picture: Getaway Gallery
