MSC Cruises has been forced to cancel MSC Euribia’s first European cruise of the summer season, which was due to depart from Germany on 2 May.
It said the ship’s repositioning has been delayed due to the Middle East conflict.
MSC Euribia has been stuck in Dubai since the US launched missile attacks on Iran in February.
“Despite the recent developments in the Middle East, MSC Euribia is not yet able to depart the region and her repositioning to Northern Europe is therefore delayed,” said an MSC spokesperson.“As a result, the ship will not be in position to operate the first sailing of the season as planned from Kiel on 2 May and Copenhagen on 3 May.
“All guests booked on this cruise are being contacted directly with the possibility to move their booking to an alternative cruise or a full refund.
“MSC Cruises is focused its efforts on returning the ship to Northern Europe as soon as possible in order to resume the planned sailings.”
It is not yet clear when it will be safe for ships to sail between the Middle East and Europe, despite the US and Iran agreeing on a two-week ceasefire on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, ships were told by Iran that the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping channel between the UAE and Iran, remained closed. Also, there are concerns that Israel’s ongoing strikes on Lebanon will threaten the current ceasefire.
