MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises both paused operations out of Italy after the Italian government banned unnecessary domestic travel over the Christmas and New Year's period.
Due to a surging number of Covid-19 deaths, Italians can only travel between regions for work, medical or emergency reasons between Dec. 21 and Jan. 6. The ban also effectively restricts the ability of other nationals to travel to and through Italy.
MSC canceled three sailings on the MSC Grandiosa, starting Dec. 20, and moved the planned restart of the MSC Magnifica to January as well as canceled what were to be its first three sailings, starting Dec. 18. The Grandiosa will resume western Mediterranean cruises on Jan. 10 from Genoa. The Magnifica will now commence sailing on Jan. 15.
Costa said it had suspended sailings from Dec. 20 to Jan. 6.
"The health safety protocols adopted so far have been proven to be effective, but the cruise industry joins the sacrifices that Italians are called to face," the line said.