MSC Cruises Absorbs Fuel Costs for Summer but Cancels Arabian Gulf Season and Eyes Itinerary Changes if Iran War Continues

MSC Cruises pledged there will be no fuel surcharges or additional fees passed on to customers for the summer. Managing director Antonio Paradiso told The Independent that higher fuel costs have already affected the company but that it has chosen to absorb them rather than charge passengers. The Iran war broke out in February.

MSC Euribia was among ships stranded in the region and escaped only after the Strait of Hormuz temporarily reopened in April. Paradiso said the cruise line is “closely monitoring” developments and has no short-term plans to alter itineraries or cut port stops, describing such changes as a “loss of enjoyment” for guests.

If the conflict lasts beyond five or six months, Paradiso said MSC Cruises may need to make itinerary tweaks.

Adapting routes would be the first option; adding a fuel surcharge would be a last resort. Under the Package Travel Regulations, cruise lines can impose surcharges up to 20 days before departure, and passengers may cancel without penalty if the surcharge reaches eight per cent or more. P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Cunard have also stated they have no plans to add surcharges.

MSC Cruises is offering £50 deposits per person and allowing changes up to 30 days before departure with no fees. The line operates 23 ships offering no-fly and fly cruises. MSC Virtuosa is sailing from Southampton this summer.

A 12-night Southampton to Canary Islands cruise is scheduled for August featuring rugby players Ben Cohen, Neil Back and Ben Kay. A Southampton to Netherlands cruise in October offers training with former Chelsea player Gianfranco Zola. MSC Cruises has cancelled its Arabian Gulf cruises for next winter.