Key Aspects:
- MSC Splendida warned its guests of rough weather conditions in the Mediterranean.
- The forecast called for high swells and wind speeds up to 35 knots along the planned route.
- Precautions were taken to ensure that everyone would remain safe onboard.
People often use the phrase “rock the boat” as a colloquialism about causing trouble, but current guests of MSC Splendida may be experiencing the literal meaning of this.
The MSC cruise ship is currently in the middle of a 7-night Mediterranean sailing that embarked in Barcelona, Spain, on January 3, and the final leg of the voyage has been a bit bumpy due to bad weather.
The ship was rocked by big swells and strong winds reaching above 35 knots (about 40 miles per hour) while sailing from Palermo (Sicily), Italy, to La Goulette-Tunis, Tunisia.
“To make your trip as comfortable as possible, we would like to inform you that we are potentially expecting some challenging weather conditions during our navigation from Palermo to La Goulette,” Captain Giuseppe Maresca wrote in a letter to guests.
“Forecasts indicate that we may find rough seas across the Western Mediterranean, with high swells and wind gusts potentially exceeding 35 knots,” Maresca continued.
The 3,900-guest ship visited Palermo on January 7, 2026, before stopping at La Goulette on January 8, 2026. No itinerary changes had to be made because of the weather.
As of the time of writing, cruise tracking data shows the Fantasia-class vessel sailing away from Tunisia in very rough seas with swells reaching 3.6 meters (about 11-12 feet) and near gale-force winds.
La Goulette was the final port call on the itinerary, with the ship due back in Barcelona on January 10.
Precautions Taken Onboard
Due to the less-than-ideal conditions, the approximately 1,370 crew members have taken preventive action to protect all onboard.
First, the crew members likely drained the pools, which is commonly done in inclement weather to prevent flooding and to enhance the stability of the 137,936-gross ton vessel.
“If the situation requires it, we may temporarily empty onboard pools until conditions improve. We will promptly inform you if we need to implement further measures for your safety,” the cruise line advised.
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Out of an abundance of caution, guests were also encouraged to avoid the outer decks, exercise extra care while moving about the ship, and to use the handrails when available.
These simple actions can help prevent falls or injuries if the ship were to move unexpectedly.
No Real Danger
Modern cruise ships, including MSC Splendida, have been carefully designed to weather rough seas.
Not only did the onboard bridge team work closely with the MSC shoreside team to choose the safest and smoothest possible route, but these ships are equipped with highly effective stabilization systems.
“Rest assured that MSC Splendida has been designed, built, and equipped to safely navigate rough sea conditions such as these,” the captain reassured guests.
“We have carefully planned a navigational route that avoids the worst of the weather system and have made technical adjustments to ensure your journey remains as comfortable as possible,” he continued.
But while there is and was no danger to current guests or crew members, letting everyone know what is going on helps keep guests calm and comfortable – especially among novice cruisers who might be startled by rough conditions.
