MSC Cruises has confirmed that the MSC Opera will no longer operate its scheduled itineraries for the 2020/21 season.
MSC Cruises said in a statement yesterday that MSC Opera’s voyage from Europe was cancelled as a result of many ports along the route being closed because of the pandemic as well as local travel restrictions in some countries along the way.
“We are genuinely sorry for this most unfortunate situation and would like to extend our gratitude to our guests booked on the cruises for their understanding,” the operator said.
“In the meantime, we continue to collaborate with the South African government and all other relevant authorities, ports and destinations to demonstrate that our new health and safety protocol can ensure that, in the future, guests can enjoy a safe and relaxing cruise holiday with MSC when we are able, subject to approval, to resume our operations in the coming season with MSC Orchestra.”
On the matter of how guests will be compensated, the statement said: “MSC Opera’s guests will receive a voucher for the value of their cruise package, which they can redeem for our proposed coming season on MSC Orchestra or for our 2021/22 season”. “The future cruise credit can be used for any sailing departing on or before December 31, 2021. In addition, guests will also receive a shipboard credit of US$50 (R823) per cabin to be used on their next cruise.”
Level-one regulations, gazetted by the South African government on October 1 state:
Item (5) Cruise ships are prohibited from calling at any of the South African sea ports, except for the disembarkation of returning
(a) South African crew;
(b) South African citizens; or
(c) holders of South African permanent residence permits.
