MSC Cruises canceled the 7-night Northern Europe sailings onboard MSC Magnifica through January 14.
The reason for the cancellations is the restrictive measures by a number of EU countries including Germany and the United Kingdom where guests board MSC Magnifica.
The cruise company notified booked passengers and travel agents of the cancellations as well as the available options.
“The health and safety of our guests and crew members is our priority. MSC Cruises regrets to inform you that we have made the difficult decision to cancel December 19, 2021 - January 14, 2022 MSC Magnifica voyages. Guests who have paid in full will receive an FCC (Future Cruise Credit) in the amount paid (excluding Government taxes and fees and prepaid services, which will be refunded), move your cruise to any ship/any sailing immediately, or request a refund.”
Germany is the latest EU country to ban most UK travelers to try to slow the spread of the Omicron variant. The measures took effect on Sunday, just as MSC Magnifica docked at Port Hamburg.
German passengers who booked the Christmas voyage were not allowed to board the vessel on Sunday. MSC informed them that the company was not allowed to mix German and British passengers onboard MSC Magnifica.
Magnifica's call ports include Hamburg (Germany), Southampton (England UK), Le Havre-Paris (France), Zeebrugge-Bruges (Belgium) and Ijmuiden (Netherlands)/port to Amsterdam.
The cruise company has been operating the one-week cruises since November 14, 2021, from/to Hamburg on the "metropolitan route". Passengers can board the ship and start their voyage in each port on the itinerary.
Since November 29, 2021, the UK has changed the entry regulations for cruise ships and prohibits all forms of shore leave in ports. Embarkation/disembarkation are permitted in Southampton (England).