MSC Cruises will be suspending its ships’  calls to St Petersburg, Russia, due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the associated safety concerns.

The cruise line says that health and safety of passengers and crew is top priority, and cancelled all St Petersburg stops from the end of May until October. There were planned stops for MSC Preziosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Poesia and MSC Virtuosa, all of which will be dropping Russia from their summer itineraries.

MSC is currently looking into alternative ports, namely Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn as temporary replacements and will update customers on new arrangements as soon as they are confirmed .

MSC’s website will also continually update with any changes to itineraries, so those with bookings or looking to book can get the most up-to-date information on itineraries across the Baltic Sea.

This follows Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and more in cancelling Russian itineraries or expressing doubt over future sailings.

Viking River Cruises, Atlas Ocean Voyages and Windstar Cruises have also all cancelled itineraries due to the ongoing invasion.