MSC World Europa Blocked From Port Calls by Medite...

As a result of dangerous climate within the Mediterranean attributable to Cyclone Harry, MSC World Europa has needed to cancel not one, however two, port calls.

The deliberate stops to Messina (Sicily), Italy, on January 20, 2026, and to Valletta, Malta, on January 21 had been cancelled to make sure the protection and luxury of all onboard.

This has not solely impacted the present 7-night sailings, that are being operated concurrently, but in addition thrown a wrench into the scheduled embarkation and debarkation in Messina on January 20.

The as much as 6,762 friends onboard had been warned {that a} change was seemingly approaching January 16, so the itinerary change didn’t come as a shock.

“Present forecasts point out the event of a powerful climate system bringing very tough seas, heavy swells, and powerful to gale-force winds.” the cruise line wrote in a letter to present friends.

“These circumstances could also be encountered throughout our method to the Messina Strait and are anticipated to accentuate additional through the subsequent navigation towards La Valletta,” the replace defined.

Learn Additionally: What You Should Know About Cruise Port Cancellations

The itinerary change was formally confirmed the next day, January 17, 2026, with the scrapped locations changed with different Italian locations.

The 215,863-gross ton vessel known as at Naples, Italy, on January 20, which is roughly 305 miles away from the meant vacation spot.

On January 21, the MSC ship will proceed to Palermo, Italy, which is one other gateway into Sicily (like Messina).

Impression to MSC World Europa Embarkation and Debarkation

Embarkations and debarkations for MSC World Europa routinely happen in Barcelona, Marseille, Rome, Genoa, and Messina, which was additionally speculated to happen on January 20 through the scrapped name to Messina.

“We actually admire your understanding and cooperation. Please relaxation assured that we are going to proceed to maintain you up to date because the state of affairs evolves,” MSC Cruises Emphasised.

Friends who had been meant to embark on their crusing in Messina on the twentieth had been supplied a free shuttle switch service to Naples to affix the ship there, in addition to a €25 euro (round $29 USD) per-person credit score to cowl lunch on land.

Alternatively, friends got the choice to affix the MSC ship in Palermo on January 21. In return, they’d obtain a pro-rated refund for the missed night time onboard.

Help would have additionally been offered to friends who would have needed to regulate their journey plans after disembarking in Naples as an alternative of Messina, though it’s not clear what kind that help got here in right now.

How Unhealthy is the Storm?

Cyclone Harry fashioned and commenced inflicting intense rain and flooding within the Central Mediterranean on January 19, 2026.

Wind speeds have exceeded 74 miles per hour, with stronger gales reaching hurricane-level strengths. Swells of as much as 9 meters (round 29 ft) have additionally been reported.

The climate was so excessive that Italy’s Civil Safety Division issued a red alert for severe weather throughout Sardinia, Sicily, and Calabria and evacuated a whole bunch because of the deluge of rain and coastal flooding.

For context, purple alerts are essentially the most extreme climate advisory, which implies the anticipated climate may be very harmful and meteorological phenomena have been forecast.

As of the early morning on January 21, Italy has downgraded these alerts to orange advisories, that are the second most extreme. Although MSC World Europa was constructed to face up to tough seas, that is positively a storm that no one wants or needs to be caught in.