Cruise & Cruise Line

MSC Cruises To Send Ship to the Canary Islands Amid Ongoing Red Sea Attacks

Image: MSC Cruises' MSC Opera. (photo via MSC Cruises Media)
Image: MSC Cruises' MSC Opera. (photo via MSC Cruises Media)
TravelPulse Staff
by TravelPulse Staff
Last updated: 11:35 AM ET, Wed February 21, 2024

WHY IT RATES: A major cruise line replaces itineraries disrupted by the ongoing Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea.—Sarah Kuta, TravelPulse writer


MSC Cruises today announced it will base a ship in the Canary Islands for the winter 2024-25 winter season and sales are now open.

MSC Opera will operate 7-night itineraries with six ports of call between 3 November 2024 and 16 March 2025.

The ship will depart Santa Cruz de Tenerife in Tenerife for Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura, Funchal in Madeira, Santa Cruz de la Palma in La Palma and Arrecife in Lanzarote before returning to Tenerife.

The new itinerary also offers flexible embarkation options, including Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Sundays, Las Palmas on Mondays, Madeira for Funchal on Thursdays or Fridays and Arrecife on Saturdays.

With extended stays in ports, the new itinerary gives holidaymakers up to 16 hours in port, ample time to enjoy everything that each vibrant destination has to offer.

The islands in the Canaries and the Portuguese island of Madeira will allow guests to immerse themselves in each unique destination’s rich culture, striking landscapes and captivating attractions, while taking advantage of the relaxing warm climate, perfect for sightseeing and soaking up the sun.

As the Canary Islands and Madeira are a popular warm-weather destination in the winter months, the new programme is easily accessible with regular international flights to Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Madeira and Lanzorote.

The new itinerary replaces MSC Opera’s previously planned Red Sea winter 2024-25 programme, which is cancelled in light of the current risk to shipping in this region.

Source: MSC Cruises press release


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