October 14, 2026 — MSC Cruises has stopped new crew members from Kenya from joining its ships until October 31, 2026, as a precaution after Kenya recorded its first imported case of Ebola. The line has not changed any itineraries or onboard services.
What happened
MSC told workers it will “temporarily suspend the embarkation of Kenyan crew members until 31 October.” Workers were reportedly told their employment, current contracts and future opportunities will not be affected. Kenya’s Daily Nation reports that MSC employs hundreds of Kenyan crew, but MSC has not said how many people the pause affects. Nothing has been said about Kenyan crew already on board.
The pause follows Kenya’s first imported case of Bundibugyo Ebola. A Kenyan man who had lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo traveled to Nairobi while ill and died at The Nairobi Hospital on October 5; the virus was confirmed on October 6. Kenya has reported no further cases. The outbreak began in the DRC in mid-May 2026. As of October 13 the CDC counted 9,000 confirmed cases and 4,339 confirmed deaths, all but three of them in the DRC.
No other cruise line has announced staffing or operational changes.
What it means for travelers
- Sailings are running as normal. MSC has announced no itinerary or service changes for passengers.
- Cruise Hive notes there could be some staffing gaps on board in the coming weeks. Effective date for any change to the pause after October 31: TBA.
- If you are flying through Nairobi to join a ship or a safari, note that the U.S. rates Kenya at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) and the DRC at Level 4 (Do Not Travel). The UK advises against travel only to certain parts of Kenya and to the DRC.
Sources
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