Guests who boarded MSC Virtuosa in Southampton on Saturday, Oct. 24, got an extra night in port before the cruise even began. Storm Austen brought rough weather to the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay. Strikes in France then knocked out a second port. MSC Cruises told guests about the changes in a letter left in their cabins, Cruise Hive reported.
The seven-night cruise was due to leave at 8 p.m. on Saturday. Instead, the ship stayed put until 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25.
The new itinerary, day by day
Here is how the sailing changed, based on the letter MSC sent to guests:
| Day | Original plan | New plan |
|---|---|---|
| Mon., Oct. 26 | La Rochelle | Sea day |
| Tue., Oct. 27 | Bilbao | Bilbao |
| Wed., Oct. 28 | A Coruña | A Coruña |
| Thu., Oct. 29 | Sea day | Vigo |
| Fri., Oct. 30 | Le Havre | Sea day |
| Sat., Oct. 31 | Southampton | Southampton |
La Rochelle is off because sea conditions were expected to make it unsafe to enter the port. Le Havre is off because planned strikes in France were expected to close the port. Vigo was added for Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The ship still returns to Southampton on Saturday, Oct. 31, as planned.
What MSC told guests
The letter said the changes were made "for your safety and comfort following a careful assessment of Storm Austen." It said the storm was "expected to bring challenging weather conditions across the English Channel and Bay of Biscay." It also pointed to "strike action affecting parts of France."
MSC warned that guests could still feel the ship move. "While MSC Virtuosa is designed to operate safely in these conditions, some movement of the ship may still be experienced," the letter said. Guests were asked to stay off outer decks and balconies and to use handrails. Pools and outdoor activities may close for a time.
Refunds for canceled tours
If you bought a shore excursion from MSC for La Rochelle or Le Havre, you do not need to do anything. Those tours are canceled and refunded to your onboard account automatically. Tours for the new Vigo stop can be booked in the MSC for Me app.
If you booked a tour on your own, contact that company directly. MSC's automatic refund covers only tours sold by MSC.
Not the first storm change for this ship
This is the second sailing in a row that Storm Austen has shaken up. On the previous cruise, MSC Virtuosa skipped a call in Cherbourg and got back to Southampton on the evening of Thursday, Oct. 22. It was not due back until Saturday morning, the Southern Daily Echo reported. Getting in early let the ship shelter ahead of the worst weather.
Other ships have changed plans too. MSC Preziosa came back to Southampton early from Le Havre. P&O Cruises' Arvia and Iona and Ambassador Cruise Line's Ambition have also made itinerary changes because of the storm, according to Cruise Hive and the Daily Echo.
What to know if you sail from the UK this fall
Late-fall cruises from Southampton cross some of the roughest water in Europe. Itinerary changes like this are common when big storms roll in. Keep a few things in mind:
- Watch for letters in your cabin and alerts in the MSC for Me app. Changes can come after you board.
- Book tours through the cruise line if you want automatic refunds when a port is dropped.
- Pack motion sickness remedies, even on a big ship.
- Check travel insurance for missed port coverage before you go.
MSC Virtuosa carries 4,842 guests. She is due to leave Southampton for the Mediterranean in 2027. MSC Meraviglia takes over the summer season from the UK next year.
Sources
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