The cruise ship MSC Opera has canceled the next 12-Day Mediterranean voyage departing from Genoa, Italy and the vessel will remain in port until further notice. According to MSC Cruises, the cancelation of the March 10-21 cruise on MSC Opera comes after the Italian government announced new restrictive measures that affect the entire Lombardy region and 14 other provinces in northern Italy. The new restrictive measures make it impossible for many passengers to reach the port of embarkation and this is the main reason for the cancelation the company says.

MSC Opera arrived at the port of Genoa yesterday March 9, and disembarked all the passengers from the previous cruise as scheduled. It is important to underline that there have been no reported cases of coronavirus on the ship among the crew and passengers.

"MSC Cruises was forced to cancel the cruise of MSC Opera which should have left Genoa this afternoon, because the measures taken last night by the Government effectively prevent passengers from to reach the Ligurian capital ". says MSC Cruises statement

Similar decisions could be expected by Costa Cruises which in March has two arrivals in the Port of Genoa, on 23 March 27 with the cruise ship Costa Pacifica.