Passengers who boarded MSC Cruises’ MSC Bellissima on December 6, 2024, awakened the next day to find they hadn’t left port. Two days later, they had been nonetheless there and found they might not depart.
The 171,598-gross-ton vessel was scheduled to set sail at 7 p.m. on December 6 for a 4-night cruise, nevertheless it seems that navigation and engine issues have prevented its departure. It was slated to be in Ishigaki, Japan, on December 7, however that decision wanted to be cancelled.
“We must always have left yesterday (6th December) at 19:00, nevertheless it was reported some engine points. We went to mattress and awakened nonetheless within the Port of Naha, with our first port of name cancelled Ishigaki,” shared a passenger of the ship on Reddit.
Later that day, the cruise line despatched phrase to passengers the vessel would stay within the Okinawa port till December 10, when the voyage was anticipated to finish, and that its calls to Keelung, Taiwan, and Miyakojima, Japan, had additionally been scrapped.
In an announcement to Cruise Hive, MSC Cruises stated:
“MSC Bellissima stays within the port of Naha, Japan whereas the required upkeep work is accomplished to allow the ship to proceed with the deliberate cruises. Now we have chartered plane and booked seats on industrial flights to assist visitors fly again residence. We’re doing every thing we are able to to make sure that the visitors on board nonetheless have an gratifying time on the ship.“
Poor climate circumstances in Naha prompted a excessive wave advisory that continues to be in impact till 12 a.m. on December 10. The excellent news is that MSC has confirmed that repairs are full.
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Though Japanese passengers have been in a position to disembark, native media studies roughly 1,880 Taiwanese visitors stay aboard the ship. MSC Cruises is working with Japanese authorities to permit visitors to go ashore on December 9.
Passengers who disembark on the 9th will have the ability to make return journey preparations. The cruise line additionally indicated it has organized flights to assist everybody get again residence.
“We’re actively discussing the plan to rearrange a airplane pick-up to Keeling. The corporate’s passenger service group will contact you to offer additional particulars,” acknowledged a letter to visitors from MSC Cruises.
Full Refunds and Vouchers Supplied
Whereas passengers caught on MSC Bellissima have been in a position to spend their time on the ship having fun with its facilities, together with quite a few bars, lounges, and eating venues, MSC Cruises has provided 100% refunds to all visitors for the unexpected cancellation. This consists of refunds for all missed excursions booked by way of the cruise line.
Along with the refund, visitors may also obtain a future voyage voucher valued at 50 % of the cruise fare initially paid. This voucher is for the primary and second visitors in every cabin. Third and fourth visitors will obtain a voucher valued at $75 per individual.
Moreover, passengers in want of transportation inside Japan, be it air or practice, had been provided as much as $200 per individual compensation, whereas these abroad had been granted as much as $400 per individual.
Visitors are suggested to contact their journey advisor or reserving company to facilitate the refunds and get help on voucher redemption and extra questions.
MSC Bellissima has not had a historical past of engine troubles prior to now. In reality, the vessel has been voted Asia’s Greatest Cruise Ship for 2 consecutive years.
The cruise line’s MSC Seascape, nevertheless, did expertise engine failure inside a month of its debut in late 2022. By January 2023, a problem with engine software program compelled the vessel to abort a name in Jamaica, with three of 4 engines down because of the malfunction.
