Melody changes course to avoid pirates

/, Cruise News/Melody changes course to avoid pirates

The threat of pirate attacks is forcing MSC Melody to make a 400-mile diversion on its three-week voyage from South Africa to Italy which departs today..
The 1,080-passenger ship, the oldest in MSC’s fleet, is returning from Durban to the Mediterranean for a season of summer cruises.
Somali pirates have captured a number of merchant vessels recently, most notably the container ship Maersk Alabama, whose captain was held hostage for five days before being rescued by US Navy SEALS.
The Melody, sailing to Reunion, Mauritius and the Seychelles, will stay well clear of the Somalian coast and miss out a planned stop at Safaga in Egypt, but will continue through the Gulf of Aden en route to Aqaba and the Red Sea port of Sokhna. It transits the Suez Canal before reaching Naples and Genoa.
The duration of the cruise remains unchanged, at 22 days.

By | 2017-06-15T16:00:44+00:00 17 April 2009|Cruise Destinations, Cruise News|4 Comments

About the Author:

John Honeywell is a travel writer specialising in cruise ships and cruise travel. Winner of CLIA UK's Contribution to Cruise award 2017.

4 Comments

  1. Bob Powell 17 April 2009 at 6:22 pm - Reply

    Oh what a pity – being attacked by pirates is about the only interesting thing that’s likely to happen during 22 days of snoozing, sorry I mean cruising.
    Regards
    Land lubber Bob

  2. Simon Schama 20 April 2009 at 10:53 am - Reply

    Well said Bobbo. I take it that means even more time at sea and less time in port then!
    In an area called ‘Pirate Alley’ no less. Talk about your self fulfilling prophecies.

  3. MM 26 April 2009 at 1:05 am - Reply

    Heard MSC MELODY was attacked this morning.. Is this true? Nothing on the news yet?

  4. John Honeywell 26 April 2009 at 12:38 pm - Reply

    Thanks, MM. Yes, you’re correct, Melody has fought off a pirate attack. See my report http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/captain-greybeard/2009/04/cruise-ship-under-attack-from.html

Leave A Comment