Coronavirus precautions
The itinerary changes are due to coronavirus precautions. MSC Cruises said there have been no reported cases among passengers or crew on MSC Splendida.
The ship will now begin its 27-night grand voyage to the Middle East and Europe on Feb. 14 from Singapore.
‘The decision to reposition the ship from Shanghai to Singapore has been taken in the best interests of the safety and wellbeing for our passengers and crew, as was the decision to cancel our next three scheduled sailings from China,’ MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato said.
Flight cancellations
He went on to explain that many major airlines have canceled or reduced their flight frequency to China and the grand voyage, which repositions the ship from one part of the world to another for a new sailing season, was entirely booked with passengers flying from abroad.
Two ports dropped, four added
In light of Singapore becoming the new embarkation port, calls were canceled to Naha, Japan, and Hong Kong but four new ports were added: Langkawi, Penang and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, plus Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.
Passengers who booked their flight through MSC Cruises will be automatically rebooked to Singapore. Those who didn’t arrange flights via MSC will need to contact their airline or travel agent for a refund or possible protection for the change to Singapore.
MSC Splendida will dock in Singapore on Feb. 13 and passengers will be allowed to embark starting at 6 p.m. Singapore time. The ship is scheduled to depart from Singapore on Feb. 14 at 11 p.m. local time.
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