Given the geopolitical situation in Israel, MSC Cruises has changed the East Mediterranean itineraries for MSC Sinfonia and MSC Musica.

Haifa, Israel, will be replaced by Istanbul, Turkiye, on MSC Sinfonia’s upcoming eight 11-night trips, while Piraeus, Greece, and Izmir will replace Rhodes, Turkiye, and Limassol, Cyprus.

MSC Sinfonia’s new route will begin on 21 October 2023, with the Italian ports of Genoa, Civitavecchia, and Messina, followed by Piraeus, Izmir, Istanbul, and Heraklion in Crete before returning to Genoa.

MSC Musica’s three 7-night voyages from Piraeus, Greece, replaced Haifa with Rhodes from 18-25 October and Marmaris, Turkiye, on 1 November.

Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, said: “The safety of our passengers and crew is always our top priority, and we have worked rapidly to revise the itineraries of MSC Sinfonia and MSC Musica to offer a beautiful alternative for the winter months.”

MSC Cruises has begun talking with all its passengers and travel agents affected by the adjustments.

MSC Cruises will also update its website to reflect the confirmed information of the new itineraries to give the utmost clarity for existing passengers and those wishing to book future winter cruises in the East Mediterranean.

Between 15 October 2023 and 06 January 2024, 11 future sailings for MSC Musica and MSC Sinfonia have been changed, after which these ships will continue their planned itineraries from Buenos Aires, Argentina (MSC Musica) and Genoa, Italy (MSC Sinfonia).