MSC Cruises has reviewed its schedule for the winter 2027/2028 season and has decided to cancel the planned routes to the Middle East. The MSC World Europa, which was initially going to operate in that Asian region, will now develop its itineraries in the western Mediterranean, according to the company in a statement.
In this way, the ship will continue offering seven-night cruises with stops at some of the most sought-after ports in southern Europe, including Barcelona, Marseille (France), Genoa (Italy), Civitavecchia (Italy), Messina (Italy), and Valletta (Malta).
At the same time, the new flagship of the shipping company, the MSC World Asia, will be allocated to the southern Caribbean, where it will carry out 7 and 14-night itineraries with embarkation in Fort-de-France (Martinique), Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe), and Bridgetown (Barbados).
Among the scheduled stops for these Caribbean routes are Castries (Saint Lucia), St. George's (Grenada), Philipsburg (Saint Martin), St. John's (Antigua and Barbuda), Basseterre (Saint Kitts and Nevis), Roseau (Dominica), and Kingstown (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines).
As a consequence of this reorganization, the company has stated that it is directly contacting customers who had reservations on MSC World Europa in the Middle East for the winter of 2027/2028 and their companions, providing them with "clear" and "comprehensive" information about their alternatives, including the option to change their trip to another cruise or request a full refund.
Likewise, passengers with reservations on MSC World Asia for the Mediterranean or on MSC Meraviglia for the southern Caribbean for the winter of 2027/2028 will see their reservations updated and will be contacted individually to inform them of any specific modifications.