Crew members working aboard two MSC cruise ships have reportedly faced extended contracts and canceled sign-offs amid the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
According to Crew Center, crew members from the MSC Poesia and MSC Seaside cruise ships told the publication that their scheduled disembarkations have been canceled — allegedly due to flight availability problems.
One Filipino crew member, who requested to remain anonymous, said many Asian crew members are facing uncertainty about when they will be able to return home.
"Many of us here on MSC Poesia are forced to do contract extensions without asking if we agree or not. We understand the war situation and that some flights are canceled, but we hope the company can find alternative flights so we can go home safely," they said.
Because MSC Cruises' head office handles flight arrangements, the shipboard HR team can't provide clear answers about repatriation schedules.
In the case of the Filipino crew member, they initially were approved for an early vacation due to family reasons, but his sign-off was delayed.
A similar situation is reportedly unfolding aboard the MSC Seaside, with crew members confirming that planned sign-offs are being canceled at the last minute.
"They canceled us going home last minute. The reason is no flights. It’s hard to believe such a big company cannot find tickets for crew," one crew member working aboard the Seaside Class ship told Crew Center.
The lack of information being given has caused frustration and anxiety, with many unsure when they will finally be able to disembark and return home.
MSC Seaside is currently based out of Miami, Florida, operating 3 and 4-night Bahamian voyages to Nassau and Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, according to Cruise Mapper.
Meanwhile, MSC Poesia is sailing around the Mediterranean. The 92,627 gross-ton ship has sailings departing from ports like Civitavecchia, Italy; Genoa, Italy; Marseille, France; and Barcelona, Spain, through mid-April, when she'll then relocate to Seattle for the cruise line's first-ever Alaskan season.
Read more: How the US-Israeli attacks in Iran are impacting cruises so far
Middle East Travel News: What's Going on in Iran?
Aviation disruptions linked to the ongoing situation in the Gulf region are part of why MSC Cruises cannot secure timely flights for its crew.
On Feb. 28, the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran, targeting the country's missile infrastructure, military sites, and leadership. Consequently, Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, and several high-ranking officials were killed.
Following the sustained air and missile strikes, multiple Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iran, Israel, and Iraq, introduced full or partial airspace closures and temporary flight bans.
This has resulted in mass flight delays and cancellations over the past few weeks, disrupting thousands of passengers.
As of Mar. 13, flights continue to be disrupted at major airports like Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport, Doha's Hamad International Airport, Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport, and Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport.
Although some airlines have resumed operations with a limited schedule, travel schedules across the region remain widely disrupted.
The reduced number of flights has also created intense competition for available seats, which has further complicated the already difficult situation.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Having sailed on over 30 cruises across different lines, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC, Margaritaville at Sea, and Princess, she loves sharing her insight and expertise on all things cruising!
In addition to writing for Cruise.Blog, Elizabeth has bylines in Business Insider, Royal Caribbean Blog, and Cruiseshipfood.com.
