MSC Cruises has cancelled three repositioning voyages from the UAE and South Africa amid rising tensions in the Red Sea due to Yemen-based Houthi attacks on international shipping.

MSC Cruises currently has MSC Splendida homeporting in Durban and Cape Town in South Africa, and MSC Virtuosa and MSC Opera homeporting in Dubai for its annual African and Arabian seasons.

The winter season in Dubai, and summer season in South Africa, both run from November to April annually. MSC Cruises had grand voyages planned for April from both locations, but these repositioning cruises will now be operated without passengers.

MSC Opera

MSC Virtuosa at Sir Bani Yas Island in the UAE (the new vessel class will be comparative in size)

The cruise line said in a statement that the safety of passengers and crew is its number one priority and due to a lack of viable alternative itineraries, the company regrettably had to cancel the three sailings.

The cancelled cruises include a 24-night voyage aboard MSC Splendida from Durban, South Africa to Genoa, Italy; a 21-night sailing onboard MSC Opera from Dubai, UAE to Genoa; and a 23-night voyage aboard MSC Virtuosa from Dubai to Southampton, UK.

The three ships will avoid the Red Sea altogether and sail for Europe via the West Coast of Africa, making no scheduled port calls, and carrying no passengers.

All passengers booked on the three repositioning voyages will be given the option to transfer their booking to a future Grand Voyage of a similar duration for free, or rebook to any other cruise, with either a partial refund or additional payment for the difference in price.

Booked passengers who opt out of both these options can also receive a full refund with no cancellation fee, according to the cruise line.