MSC Musica accidents and incidents

October 2023Other Incidents

The 7-day "Eastern Mediterranean Cruise" (itinerary October 1-8, roundtrip from homeport Piraeus-Athens, Greece) was altered to allow the transfer of all the Israeli passengers from MSC Musica to another vessel in Limassol (Cyprus).

On October 5, 2023, the MSC ship left Port Haifa (Israel) en route to Limassol and Mykonos Island, before the voyage's end in Piraeus. However, the course was altered on October 7th when started the conflict in Gaza (Israel-Hamas war). At the time, MSC Musica was off Rhodes Island, proceeding towards Mykonos as scheduled.

In response to the circumstances, MSC decided not to return Musica to Israel (scheduled call at Haifa on Oct 12th). The current itinerary was changed, and arrangements were made to transfer the Israeli passengers to another vessel in Limassol.

To facilitate the return of ~800 Israeli passengers on MSC Musica back to Haifa, MSC charted from Mano Maritime the ship Crown Iris. On October 10th, both ships berthed in Limassol and executed a seamless passenger transfer operation. By October 11th, the Israeli tourists were safely disembarked in Port Haifa, with MSC covering all associated costs.

Unable to return to Haifa, MSC Musica remained at anchorage off Santorini Island (Fira).

03 February 2023Other Incidents

In the afternoon on February 3, 2023, while berthed in Port Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), the ship broke off the mooring lines after being hit by a sudden strong gust of wind.

The docking position was quickly restored with the tugboats' assistance.

No damages or injuries were reported.

The incident occurred during the 9-day South America Cruise (itinerary Jan 31 - Feb 9, roundtrip from Buenos Aires Argentina) visiting Brazil's Rio de Janeiro (Feb 3/port stay 9 am - 8 pm), Buzios (Feb 4), Ilha Grande/Abraao (Feb 5) and Ilhabela (Feb 6), and Uruguay's Montevideo (Feb 8).

24 January 2019Other Incidents

On January 24, 2019, due to extreme weather conditions, the liner was unable to dock back in homeport Cape Town. As high winds and waves prevented the ship to enter the cruise port and berth, it anchored in open sea.

Later on the tonight of Jan 24, the ship again tried and failed to dock and disembark the old and embark the new passengers in Cape Town. Next cruise departure was re-scheduled for 4 pm (originally planned for 6 pm). Initially was decided passengers from the previous cruise to be disembarked in Port Elizabeth and transported back to Cape Town via buses.

However, due to strong winds, the ship remained anchored in Cape Town and the planned disembarkation in Port Elizabeth canceled. The voyage was canceled and the ship resumed its schedule from Durban (Jan 28). The vessel finally managed to enter Cape Town harbor on Jan 26 (at ~6 am), then departed towards Durban (arriving there on Jan 28 at 12-noon). Port Elizabeth was skipped.

The accident occurred at the end of 4-day South Africa cruise itinerary Jan 20-24) roundtrip from Cape Town to Walvis Bay (Namibia). The next (canceled) itinerary (Jan 24-28) was a 4-day one-way from Cape Town to Durban, with a planned visit to Port Elizabeth (Jan 26, port stay 8 am - 5 pm).

November 2018Other Incidents

On November 9, 2018, due to rough seas with strong waves, the scheduled for visit Portuguese Island (tender port in Mozambique) was canceled. On the following cruise, tender port Pomene (Mozambique, Nov 14) was canceled and the liner returned back to homeport Durban (South Africa).

The first itinerary (Nov 8-12) was 4-day Durban roundtrip to Portuguese Island and Pomene. The second itinerary (November 12-16) was 4-day Durban roundtrip to Pomene.

18 June 2017Crew / Passenger Deaths

(overboard / murder) On June 18, 2017, a 36-year-old female crew was reported missing and presumably overboard. The woman (Simone Souza Scheuer, of Brazilian origin) worked on the ship as a housekeeper and was reported missing after failing to appear for work at ~3 am (on June 19).

The ship was en-route from Venice to Brindisi, in the Mediterranean Sea, on a 7-night cruise from Venice Italy (roundtrip itinerary June 18-25) to Brindisi, Katakolon, Santorini, Piraeus-Athens, Corfu, and Kotor.

(law news) June 27, 2017, the Italian authorities in Brindisi opened a murder investigation into the disappearance of the crew. The criminal prosecutor acquired CCTV videos from the ship and interviewed several crew members (friends and co-workers of the missing woman). According to crew statements, she had a 2-year relationship with a co-worker and before the disappearance had a disagreement with her supervisor.

17 September 2012Other Incidents

On September 17, 2012, the vessel’s scheduled departure from homeport Venice Italy was delayed by ~8 hours by protests. Other affected cruise ships in Venice (with delayed departures) were the fleet mate MSC Opera and Costa Favolosa.

All the Venice’s waterfront areas were blocked by numerous small boats with hundreds of local protesters. They argued that the growth of big cruise ships stopping in Venice had a negative impact on the city as a travel destination. Large cruise vessels visiting Venice pass too close to the Piazza San Marco, and are a potential risk for environmental damages or accidents that would hugely impact the city’s historical importance. The issue grew louder since the Costa Concordia sinking (January 2012).

19 December 2010Fire Accident

On December 19, 2010, while operating in South America, the vessel experienced an engine room fire accident. It occurred while the ship was still docked and just about to leave homeport Rio de Janeiro Brazil on 8-day roundtrip itinerary visiting the Brazilian ports Recife, Maceio, and Salvador Bahia.

Because the incident seriously affected the ship’s air-conditioning and water supply systems, MSC Cruises canceled the current voyage and rescheduled it for December 26. The itinerary was also changed – with new call ports Salvador Bahia, Buzios, Copacabana, Ilha Grande.

As compensation, all passengers received a full refund, plus 50% future MSC cruise booking discount. The company allowed an overnight complimentary stay on the ship, with food and water being provided. It also arranged an alternative option with a complimentary 1-night Rio de Janeiro hotel stay for all passengers who need it.

Nevertheless, since this was a "Christmas Cruise", many passengers felt offended.

10 January 2010Crew / Passenger Deaths

(murder) On January 10, 2010, a 28-year-old female crew was found dead in her cabin. The accident occurred while the ship was docked in homeport Santos (Sao Paulo, Brazil) following Transatlantic repositioning cruise from Europe to South America.

The woman (Camila Peixoto Bandeira, of Brazilian origin) worked on the ship as a bartender. She was found dead and reported to the ship’s Reception Desk at ~9:40 am by her boyfriend. The man (Bruno Souza Bicalho, working on the ship as a waiter) claimed that she allegedly committed suicide by hanging, using a sheet.

However, one of the ship’s doctors suggested a case of murder (by strangulation). The body was found in an almost seated position, with no sheets present in the room.

The Brazilian Federal Police started a homicide investigation after the suspect (questioned 3 times) fell into contradiction when asked about the discovery of the body. He also admitted tampering with the crime scene. His passport was blocked to prevent him from leaving Brazil.

The couple (with a history of quarrels and assaults) allegedly have broken up several times, before resuming the relationship in Oct 2009.

(law news) On October 23, 2013, the man was arrested and charged with committing aggravated murder. The court concluded the woman was strangled at ~9 am in the cabin they both shared. No further details on the case are available.