Guests sailing aboard the MSC Splendida were informed of an itinerary change this week after adverse weather conditions were forecast in the Western Mediterranean.
Strong winds and rough seas expected in the southern part of the region led MSC Cruises to cancel the ship’s scheduled call at La Goulette, Tunisia.
According to the message shared onboard, wind gusts of up to 50 knots were predicted for Thursday, making it unsafe to approach and dock at the Tunisian port.
For the safety and comfort of everyone onboard, the captain and crew made the decision to remain at sea instead.
While itinerary changes can be disappointing, MSC emphasized that safety remains the top priority whenever weather conditions create uncertainty.
A Sea Day with Added Activities
With the Tunisia stop removed, the ship will now spend Thursday cruising in the Mediterranean. MSC has adjusted its onboard programming to ensure guests still have a full schedule of entertainment, events, and activities throughout the day.
The cruise line reassured guests that shore excursions booked through the company for La Goulette would be refunded directly to their onboard accounts.
In addition, new shore excursion options for an upcoming port call in Palma de Mallorca will be made available for booking onboard.
Instead of a planned sea day later in the itinerary, the MSC Splendida will now visit Palma de Mallorca on Friday, February 13, 2026.
The adjustment allows guests to enjoy time ashore in Spain while maintaining the overall structure of the seven-night cruise.
Continuing the Winter Mediterranean Season
The MSC Splendida recently returned to service following a routine drydock at the Palumbo Malta Shipyard in Valletta. Since resuming operations, the vessel has been offering seven-night cruises to ports across Spain, Italy, France, and Tunisia as part of her winter Mediterranean program.
The current season is scheduled to run through late April, when the ship will transition to a refreshed weeklong itinerary in the same region.
While weather-related changes are part of cruising, they are carefully managed to minimize disruption and keep guests comfortable.
MSC’s statement, signed by Captain Corrado Iaconis, thanked passengers for their understanding and reiterated that the change was due to circumstances beyond the company’s control.
The disruption follows a series of recent weather-related port impacts across the industry, including Carnival Sunshine’s delayed departure from Norfolk after port operations were suspended due to severe conditions.
