MSC Cruises has halted all cruises until 1 August as global pandemic restrictions continue to pose challenges to the travel industry.

Passengers who are affected by cancelled cruises up to 31 July this year will receive a 125 per cent future cruise credit to rebook their cruise holiday on any MSC ship up to the end of 2021.

Those booked on cruises between August and 31 October this year can also reschedule their cruises up to 48-hours prior to departure or up to 96-hours prior to their flight departure if they booked a Fly&Cruise package.

“Our ships will return to service only when the time is right, in phases and by region, and following guidance from the relevant national and international health and other regulatory authorities and the support of a new operating protocol especially focused on health and safety, which we will announce soon. This way, gradually, all of our ships will return to sea between then and the beginning of our summer 2021 season,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises.

MSC has also unveiled its full summer program for 2021 starting in March next year. By then, the line will see the addition of two new ships, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Seashore, taking its fleet to 19.

The line’s summer 2021 program will introduce mini-cruises of three or four nights, standard seven-night itineraries and longer cruises of up to 14 nights.

Three ships, MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview and MSC Seashore will cruise Western Mediterranean itineraries in summer next year while MSC Lirica will cruise from Venice to Croatia and Greece.

The line will also offer sailings in Northern Europe including Denmark, Norwegian coast, Iceland, the Caribbean and Bahamas.

For more information visit msccruises.com.au