Cruise lines switch sailings after Tunis shootings

Cruise lines have cancelled calls at Tunis following the terror attack on MSC and Costa passengers.

MSC Cruises said it has suspended all remaining Tunisian calls in the 2015 summer programme ‘in the interests of guest and crew member safety’.

Its staff are now contacting passengers and agents to inform them of the changes which will see MSC Splendida call at Valletta, in Malta, on its weekly sailings over the next four weeks.

Three other ships, due to call at Tunis this summer season (April to November), will also avoid the destination.

Instead MSC Fantasia will now call at Palma, Majorca, MSC Preziosa will now call at Cagliari, in Sardinia and MSC Divina will now call at Valletta.

MSC said Tunis has long featured on MSC Cruises itineraries and has proved very popular with visitors.

“Sadly, the murderous actions of the people behind this devastating attack will have far-reaching and profoundly damaging effects on democratic Tunisia and its faltering economy. Tunisia can little afford to be considered a no-go zone at this time, but regrettably that is how tourists will now see it,” said MSC Cruises executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago.

“The safety and security of guests and crew members is MSC Cruises’ number one priority at all times, and the events that took place this week preclude the possibility of MSC Cruises calling in Tunisia for the foreseeable future.

“MSC Cruises remains in continuous contact with relevant government ministries and international bodies, and does not consider additional itinerary changes to be necessary at this time.”

He added: “Tunis is a key destination for MSC Cruises, and we hope to be able to restore it to itineraries in due course. But until we receive the necessary reassurances that the security situation has returned to normal, we have to take our guests to alternative Mediterranean destinations.”

A CLIA spokeswoman said no members of the industry body were now scheduled to call at Tunis.

She defended the safety of cruising, saying cruise lines coordinate closely with national and international security and law enforcement authorities when visiting destinations around the globe to help ensure passenger safety.

“Cruise ships are a safe and secure place for our guests in the rare event of a shore side incident,” she said.

“Cruise line security personnel both on board and in company headquarters, in addition to ongoing communication with national and international security authorities, enhance the security of cruise ships.

“CLIA member lines maintain a rigorous set of policies and procedures designed to safeguard passengers and to provide an immediate and effective response to any incident.”