Several crew members working on MSC Cruises ships say their sign-off dates have been postponed and contracts extended, especially for the Asian crew, raising concerns among crew who were expecting to return home after completing their rotations.
Crew members from MSC Poesia and MSC Seaside told Crew Center that scheduled disembarkations have recently been canceled, with ship management citing flight availability issues linked to the current situation.
One Filipino crew member, who asked that his identity be protected, said many crew members—particularly those from Asia—are experiencing uncertainty about when they will be able to return home.
“Many of us here on MSC Poesia are forced to do contract extensions without asking if we agree or not,” the crew member said. “We understand the war situation and that some flights are canceled, but we hope the company can find alternative flights so we can go home safely.”
According to the crew member, shipboard HR and the crew purser explained that flight arrangements are handled by the company’s head office, leaving onboard staff unable to provide clear answers about repatriation schedules.
“They only tell us they cannot do anything because the head office processes the tickets. They are not giving us assurance when we can go home,” the crew member said.
The crew member had already received approval for an early vacation due to family reasons. However, his sign-off has now been delayed.
While some crew members have reportedly managed to disembark, others say many—particularly Asian crew members—remain onboard past their scheduled contract end dates. Exact numbers of affected crew were not available.
A second crew member from MSC Seaside reported a similar situation, saying his planned sign-off was canceled at the last minute.
“They canceled us going home last minute. The reason is no flights. It’s hard to believe such a big company cannot find tickets for crew,” the crew member said.
The situation comes as regional tensions in the Gulf have already affected cruise operations, with several cruise lines canceling itineraries or adjusting schedules in the region. Aviation disruptions and security concerns have also complicated crew travel and repatriation logistics.
Crew members say the lack of clear information about when they will be able to go home is creating stress and anxiety onboard, especially for those who have already completed their contracts.
For many seafarers, returning home after months at sea is a long-awaited moment, making unexpected extensions particularly difficult.
