Geneva, Switzerland – March 12, 2020 – Cruise lines have suddenly learned this afternoon that Spanish authorities will close all ports, including Barcelona, at midnight tonight due to the development of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic in Spain.
This decision has forced the MSC Grandiosa, currently docked in Barcelona, to plan its departure before midnight. All passengers who embarked today in Barcelona have already disembarked.
Furthermore, MSC Cruises has been forced to reorganize the ship's itinerary and has made the decision to temporarily suspend operations at the end of the current cruise until April 5. The upcoming MSC Grandiosa cruises included several ports in Spain that, like Barcelona, are subject to closure.
MSC Grandiosa will depart Barcelona tonight and sail to its next scheduled port of call in Marseille, France, arriving on Friday, March 13. MSC Grandiosa will then call at Genoa (March 14) and Civitavecchia (March 15) in Italy. No new passengers or crew will embark in Marseille, Genoa, or Civitavecchia. Only disembarkation operations will take place.
Passengers who embarked today in Barcelona will receive a full refund in the form of a voucher for the same value as their cruise due to the disruption of their holiday plans.
MSC Cruises explains: 'The closure of Spanish ports was beyond our control and we are very sorry to see that MSC Grandiosa passengers have had their holidays restricted so suddenly, but of course the health and well-being of our customers and our crew must and always will be our top priority.'.
