MSC Cruises speaks out about tragedy in Tunis

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, USA – MSC Cruises issued the following statement regarding the horrific events that unfolded in Tunis:

One of our ships, MSC Splendida was calling the port of La Goulette, Tunis with 3,714 guests and 1,267 crew members aboard.

At the time of the events, some of MSC Splendida guests were on shore excursions, including to the Bardo National Museum. Consequently, all MSC Cruises coaches on tour at the time of the events were immediately ordered back to the port and all other excursions and on the ground activities were immediately suspended.

At this time, the return of passengers to the ship is still undergoing (please note that all the passengers of United States and Canadian nationality are all accounted for and safely back on board).

The ship’s departure, originally scheduled for tonight, was postponed. For this, local security authorities set up exceptional security measures in the port and around the ships to ensure the utmost safety of MSC Cruises’ guests and crew members.

An MSC Cruises team comprised of representatives from the Company’s ownership, its management and dedicated Care task force is currently on its way to Tunisia to provide all possible support to guests onboard and to work closely with local authorities.

MSC Cruises remains in close contact with the relevant national and international authorities, local authorities, the ship captain as well as with the port agent to constantly monitor the situation as it unfolds.

UPDATE: 8:30 PM EDT

MSC Cruises extends its deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims of today’s tragic events in Tunis.

MSC Cruises remains in close contact with the relevant national and international authorities, local authorities, the ship captain as well as with the port agent to constantly monitor the situation as it unfolds.

The command and the entire crew of MSC Splendida is working hard to ensure guests on board are regularly kept abreast of the situation as updates are received from the relevant authorities. MSC Cruises immediately set up a Task Force to support the ship and all its guests.

We’ve also maintained continuous and constant contact with the embassies of about 50 countries whose nationals were on board so as to receive all relevant pieces of information in a timely manner.
The safety and well-being of our guests is MSC Cruises’ number one priority at all times. At the time of the events, some of MSC Splendida guests were on shore excursions. Consequently, all MSC Cruises coaches on tour at the time of the events were immediately ordered back to the port and all other excursions and on the ground activities were immediately suspended.

To assist guests in contacting their families and loved ones back at home, onboard internet and telephone services is readily available and free of charge.

In the early hours of the evening, MSC Cruises’ Care Team reached the ship in Tunis. They’ve immediately set out to work to start providing assistance and support to guests in this heart-breaking moment.