MSC Cruises cancels Armonia voyage to South Africa

MSC Cruises has cancelled a 26-night repositioning voyage for the MSC Armonia due to geopolitical instability in the Suez Canal and Red Sea regions. The cruise was scheduled to depart from Marghera, Italy, on November 1, 2026, traveling toward Durban, South Africa.

The planned itinerary included stops in Croatia and Greece, followed by transit through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. Subsequent stops were intended to include Aqaba, Jordan; Mahé, Seychelles; Diego Suarez, Madagascar; and Port Louis, Mauritius. The voyage was meant to reposition the vessel for its inaugural South African cruise season in 2026/2027.

MSC Cruises stated that the decision was made because they cannot “guarantee safe transit through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.” The company is offering affected passengers full refunds without penalty or the option to transfer bookings to alternative MSC Grand Voyages of similar duration.