MSC Cruises has pushed back MSC Magnifica’s scheduled restart to September 26 after demand for the sailings, which were due to start on August 29, dipped.
The line reported cancellations from passengers due to sail on the 3,223-capacity vessel in the eastern Mediterranean with departures from Bari and Trieste to Greek islands of Corfu, Katakolon and Athens.
Additional testing measures for Italians who had travelled to Greece had recently been introduced by Italian authorities.
In a statement, the line said: “In connection with the recent introduction of additional testing measures for residents of Italy having travelled to Greece, we are seeing cancellations and a softening in demand since the ship’s itinerary includes as many as three ports in that country.
“This has led to the decision to delay the restart of the ship by four weeks.”
Grandiosa and Magnifica’s sailings can only currently be booked by residents of Europe’s Schengen area, and Switzerland.
The line added that voyages on Magnifica and Grandiosa are expected to be filled with Italian nationals and residents.
All cruise departures on Magnifica from August 29 to September 19 have been cancelled. The first cruise will now depart from Bari on September 26.
Affected passengers can either switch to a sailing on Grandiosa, which is operating in the western Mediterranean, or receive a Future Cruise Credit and transfer the balance amount paid to a future sailing of their choice.