If you thought the earlier cancellation was just a one-off issue… things have now escalated.
Passengers waiting to sail on MSC Euribia from Germany are facing more bad news, as additional cruises have now been officially cancelled.
What was supposed to be the start of a smooth Northern Europe season is turning into a growing disruption—and it’s all tied to a situation far from Europe itself.
More Cruises Cancelled — Not Just One Sailing
When cruise plans change, it’s usually limited to a single departure. But in this case, the problem hasn’t gone away—it’s extended.
MSC Cruises has now confirmed that two more sailings from Kiel won’t go ahead as planned.
Newly cancelled departures:
- May 9, 2026
- May 16, 2026
These cruises were part of the ship’s Norwegian Fjords season, one of the most popular itineraries in Europe, especially during spring and early summer.
So this isn’t just a minor adjustment—it’s now affecting multiple weeks of planned travel.
Why the Ship Still Hasn’t Moved
At the center of all this is one simple issue: the ship hasn’t been able to leave the Middle East.
Right now, MSC Euribia remains in Dubai, waiting for a safe window to begin its journey toward Europe.
But with ongoing regional tensions and heavy congestion in key shipping routes, there’s still no clear timeline.
What’s causing the delay:
- Ongoing geopolitical instability.
- Restricted movement through critical sea routes.
- Prioritization of essential cargo vessels over cruise ships.
Even if conditions improve suddenly, repositioning a ship this size takes time—so delays quickly stack up.
The Cruises That Were Affected
These cancelled sailings weren’t just short trips—they were part of a full Northern Europe schedule designed around scenic fjord cruising.
Passengers were expecting a classic itinerary, including stops like:
- Flåm
- Hellesylt
- Ålesund
These are bucket-list destinations for many cruisers, especially those visiting Europe for the first time.
And now, for the second and third consecutive departures, those plans are off the table.
Options for Affected Passengers
If you were booked on one of these sailings, MSC isn’t leaving you without choices—but you’ll need to decide fairly quickly.
Here’s what passengers can do:
1. Rebook for 2026 sailings (before Nov 30):
- No change fees.
- Price protection on new bookings.
- Onboard credit (up to €100 per person).
2. Rebook for later sailings (after Dec 1):
- No change fees.
- Pay current fare rates.
- Funds transferred to the new booking.
- Same onboard credit offer.
3. Cancel and request a full refund:
- No penalties.
- Cruise fare refunded (excluding extras like flights).
One important detail—guests need to respond by April 21, 2026, or the booking will be automatically cancelled and refunded.
This Problem Started Weeks Ago
If this feels like an ongoing story… that’s because it is.
The disruption didn’t start with these cancellations—it goes back to late February, when rising tensions in the region began affecting shipping routes.
What’s happened so far:
- The ship stopped sailing with passengers.
- Guests onboard were safely disembarked.
- Final Middle East sailings were cancelled.
- The original May 2 Europe departure was scrapped.
These latest cancellations are simply the continuation of that chain reaction.
Why Repositioning Is Taking So Long
Moving a cruise ship from the Middle East to Europe isn’t like hopping between nearby ports—it’s a massive journey.
To reach Northern Europe, the ship must:
- Exit the Arabian Gulf
- Navigate through sensitive shipping zones
- Cross the Red Sea
- Pass through the Suez Canal
- Sail across the Mediterranean
- Head north toward Germany
That’s thousands of miles—and every delay at the start pushes everything else back.
What Happens Next?
Right now, everything depends on when the ship can safely begin its repositioning voyage.
Until that happens, there’s still uncertainty:
- Future sailings could remain unchanged.
- Or additional adjustments could be announced.
For now, passengers with upcoming bookings should stay in close contact with MSC or their travel agents for updates.
A Waiting Game for Passengers
Cruising is usually one of the most organized forms of travel—but situations like this show how quickly things can shift when global events come into play.
For passengers, it turns into a waiting game:
- Wait for updates.
- Decide whether to rebook or refund.
- Adjust travel plans accordingly.
And while the cruise itself may be cancelled, the bigger story is still unfolding—because until MSC Euribia starts moving again, the schedule ahead remains uncertain.
