Amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, maritime operations took a security-driven turn as cruise shipping companies temporarily halted their visits to Israel's Mediterranean ports for the foreseeable weeks. This situation left numerous Israeli nationals adrift, far from their homeland, until a creative solution was devised by MSC.
MSC Musica ((homeported in Haifa) has been catering to the Israeli source market with voyages across the Eastern Mediterranean. On October 5th, the vessel set sail towards Limassol Cyprus and Mykonos Island.
However, on October 7th, Hamas militants breached Israeli border defenses and launched attacks on civilian settlements. At the time, MSC Musica was off Rhodes Island, proceeding with a scheduled call at Mykonos. In response to the circumstances, MSC decided not to return the liner to Israel. MSC Musica's itinerary was changed, and arrangements were made to transfer the Israeli passengers to another vessel in Limassol.
MSC swiftly charted the cruise ship Crown Iris (operated by the Israeli company Mano Maritime) to facilitate the return of MSC Musica's ~800 Israeli passengers back to Haifa. On October 10th, both ships berthed in Limassol and executed a seamless passenger transfer operation. By October 11th, all passengers were safely disembarked in Port Haifa, with MSC covering all associated costs.
Crown Iris (1992-built as Royal Majesty and fka as Norwegian Majesty) is a 2000-passenger ship, under Israeli operation and homeported in Haifa since 2019.
In light of the circumstances, MSC has extended its suspension of port calls in Israel through the end of the month. Meanwhile, the MSC Musica, unable to return to Haifa, is currently at anchor off the Greek island of Santorini.