MSC Cruises canceled MSC Opera’s repositioning crossing scheduled for October 29, 2026, due to technical problems detected after the ship’s drydock. Guests booked on the 18-night crossing from Civitavecchia, Italy, were offered full refunds and 100% future cruise credits. The canceled itinerary included embarkation points in Genoa and Livorno, Italy, with port calls in Barcelona, Spain; Tangier, Morocco; Antigua; St. Kitts; and St. Maarten.
MSC Opera to Begin Year-Round Southern Caribbean Cruises from La Romana
MSC Opera will initiate year-round seven-night cruises from La Romana in the Dominican Republic starting November 16, 2026. This marks MSC Cruises’ first year-round Southern Caribbean program scheduled to operate through at least November 2028. The
itinerary features stops at Bridgetown, Barbados; Tortola in the British Virgin Islands; Fort de France, Martinique; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and the ABC Islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. The ship will not return to Europe during this Southern Caribbean deployment.
Technical Issues Following Drydock in Malta Led to Cancellation
MSC Opera underwent a routine drydock at Palumbo Shipyard in Malta in late October 2026. Following the drydock, test trips around Malta revealed technical issues significant enough to cancel the planned October 29 crossing. MSC Opera is currently crossing the Atlantic without passengers to reach La Romana, where further technical checks and work will complete before the November 16 cruise
launch.
Practical Guidance for Passengers Affected by Cancelling and Launch
Passengers affected by the canceled repositioning crossing who booked separate flights or hotels must contact MSC Cruises or their travel agents with receipts to seek reimbursement. MSC advises guests to verify their bookings and confirm embarkation times through the MSC app or travel agents. Travelers should maintain updated contact details with MSC to receive timely notifications.
Travelers are advised to consider flexible airfares or travel insurance policies, especially for flights arriving at La Romana’s international airport, which has limited service, or Punta Cana Airport, which offers more flights and is approximately a one-hour road transfer from La Romana. Arriving
at least one day early is recommended to offset potential flight delays before embarkation.
Valid passports are required for all passengers. Travelers need to verify visa requirements for the Dominican Republic and all Southern Caribbean ports, as islands operate under different entry rules, such as French regulations for Martinique and British rules for Tortola. Passengers whose nationalities require visas must ensure proper documentation before boarding.
