MSC Cruises has canceled the 7-Night Northern Europe voyages on board the MSC Magnifica through January 14, 2022. The reason for the cancellations is the latest restrictive measures by several EU countries including Germany and the UK where guests board the MSC Magnifica cruises.

The cruise line has notified booked guests and travel agents of the cancellations and the available options.

“The health and safety of our guests and crew members is our priority. MSC Cruises regrets to inform you that we have made the difficult decision to cancel December 19, 2021 - January 14, 2022 MSC Magnifica voyages. Guests who have paid in full will receive an FCC (Future Cruise Credit) in the amount paid (excluding Government taxes and fees and prepaid services, which will be refunded), move your cruise to any ship/any sailing immediately, or request a refund.” Said MSC Cruises

Germany has become the latest EU country to ban most travelers from the UK, to try to slow the spread of the Omicron variant. The latest measures took effect on Sunday, just as the MSC Magnifica docked at the port of Hamburg.

German guests who booked the Christmas cruise were not allowed to board the ship on Sunday. MSC Cruises informed them that the company is not allowed to mix German and British guests on board the MSC Magnifica.

MSC Magnifica cruise includes stops in:  Hamburg, Southampton, Le Havre, Zeebrugge and Ijmuiden.

The company has been operating these one-week cruises since November 14th, 2021, from / to Hamburg on the so-called "metropolitan route". Guests can board the ship and start their cruise in each port on the itinerary. With the latest restrictions in Europe, not allowing to mix travelers from other countries, this is one of the main reasons for the cancelation.

The UK has changed the entry regulations for cruise ships since November 29, 2021 which prohibits all forms of shore leave in ports, however, embarkation and disembarkation are permitted in Southampton. The United Kingdom has been recently declared a virus variant area from Germany due to the spread of the Omikron variant (valid from December 20, 2021) and this has significant restrictions even for vaccinated travelers who need to be quarantined for 14 days after the trip.