MSC Cruises has arranged flights for more than 1,500 guests who were onboard the MSC Euribia in Dubai as the recent conflict continues to affect travel in the Middle East.
The MSC Euribia has the capacity to carry over 6,000 passengers. The news of the ship's passengers being stuck onboard in Dubai came earlier this week as Americans were told to leave fourteen countries in the Middle East—as many airports and the region's airspace grew smaller and smaller.
As of March 6, seven flights carrying MSC Cruises’ passengers have left the region, though there are still passengers onboard the ship in Dubai.
Flights have transported guests to several destinations across the world, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, the United States and Brazil. The effort includes charter flights arranged by MSC Cruises, seats booked on commercial flights through partnerships with Emirates and Fly Dubai and some government-organized departures.
“I am immensely proud of how the whole company is coming together with this highly complex repatriation operation,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises. “Our Ship Command and crew have worked tirelessly to ensure our guests are well cared for and our teams across the globe have worked round the clock to get our guests home safely and in a timely manner.”
The cruise line is maintaining transparency at this time, providing daily updates on the situation. "The situation on board remains calm," the latest notice from March 6 reads. "Guests are regularly updated on the situation and have full access to all onboard services and facilities. We continue to provide a high standard of care, comfort and support."
The ship's next three sailings in the Middle East have been cancelled.
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