MSC World Europa Cancels Messina Call Due to Bad Weather

MSC World Europa has cancelled its scheduled visit to the Italian port of Messina due to bad weather conditions. The port call was planned for Tuesday, January 20, 2026, but could not take place because of unsafe sea and weather conditions in the area.

MSC Cruises shared the update directly with guests who were set to board the ship in Messina. In a message sent to passengers, the cruise line confirmed that the call had been cancelled and that the ship would visit Naples instead.

In the statement sent to guests, MSC said that the scheduled call to Messina was cancelled due to bad weather and confirmed Naples as the replacement port. The cruise line moved quickly to arrange support for affected passengers.

Guests boarding in Messina were offered a free coach transfer from Messina Port to Naples. This transfer allowed passengers to join the MSC World Europa without extra travel costs or stress caused by the sudden change.

To cover food expenses during the unexpected journey, MSC Cruises is also offering 25 euros onboard credit per person. This credit is meant to reimburse lunch expenses while guests are onshore during the transfer process.

Passengers who preferred another option were given the choice to board the ship at the port of Palermo on January 21, 2026. Guests selecting this option will receive a pro-rated refund for the night they missed onboard.

MSC World Europa is currently sailing year-round in the Western Mediterranean. The LNG-powered ship is offering a seven-night cruise that includes stops in Italy, Spain, France, and Malta.

Under normal conditions, the ship follows a regular itinerary that includes Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Messina, and Valletta. The Messina stop is a popular port for guests looking to explore Sicily.

MSC World Europa is the first ship in the MSC Cruises’ World-class series. It was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France and entered service in late 2022. The vessel is one of the most modern ships in the MSC fleet.

In separate news, MSC Cruises recently cancelled a ten-night cruise aboard MSC Poesia. The cruise line cited operational reasons for the cancellation.

MSC Poesia is currently offering winter cruises in Northern Europe. The ship, which was built in 2008, is scheduled to undergo a major refurbishment in Malta.

The refurbishment is part of MSC Cruises’ plans ahead of its entry into the Alaska cruise market. The upgrades are expected to prepare the ship for new itineraries and guest expectations.

The cancelled MSC Poesia sailing was set to depart from Southampton in the United Kingdom on February 13, 2025, and arrive in Valletta. The itinerary included planned visits to ports in Spain, Portugal, and Italy.

Weather disruptions and operational changes remain a common challenge in the cruise industry. Cruise lines continue to adjust itineraries to protect guest safety while offering compensation and alternatives when plans change.