MSC cancels all remaining trips to Tunisia

MSC Cruises has cancelled its remaining calls to Tunisia in the wake of a terrorist attack which reportedly left at least 12 of its passengers dead.

The company’s executive chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago flew to the country to meet passengers and those who were personally affected by the incident.

Costa Cruises has reported that it had five passengers killed during the attack.

The following itineraries will be affected:

• MSC Splendida will call at Valletta, in Malta (four sailings over the next four weeks)

Three other ships were due to offer Tunis calls during the summer season (April-Nov 2015).

• MSC Fantasia will now call at Palma, Majorca
• MSC Preziosa will now call at Cagliari, in Sardinia
• MSC Divina will now call at Valletta

Pierfrancesco Vago said: “Sadly, the murderous actions of the people behind this devastating attack will have far-reaching and profoundly damaging effects on democratic Tunisia and its faltering economy. Tunisia can little afford to be considered a no-go zone at this time, but regrettably that is how tourists will now see it.”

Vago added: “Tunis is a key destination for MSC Cruises, and we hope to be able to restore it to itineraries in due course. But until we receive the necessary reassurances that the security situation has returned to normal, we have to take our guests to alternative Mediterranean destinations.”

He concluded: “I want to personally thank the Tunisian authorities for the way they have addressed this exceptionally challenging situation, and for enabling us to implement our own response plan effectively.”