A group of passengers aboard MSC Divina became the focus of an investigation in Italy after an unauthorized announcement was broadcast over the cruise ship’s public-address system, falsely suggesting the vessel was experiencing an emergency.
The incident occurred while MSC Divina was sailing from Marmaris, Turkey, toward Naples, Italy, on July 30, according to multiple reports citing Italian authorities. The message was reportedly heard in public areas on two passenger decks and claimed that the captain had lost control of the ship and that the vessel was adrift.
That was not the case.
MSC Cruises subsequently confirmed that an unauthorized announcement had been made over the ship’s PA system. The cruise line stressed that none of the vessel’s systems — including its computer systems — had been hacked or compromised and that the safe operation of MSC Divina was never affected.
Passengers who heard the message reportedly contacted Italian maritime authorities. When MSC Divina arrived in Naples, authorities boarded the ship as part of the investigation after the captain filed a formal complaint.
Reports from Italian media and subsequent coverage say investigators traced the unauthorized announcements to six Italian passengers. The passengers were removed from the vessel and referred to authorities over allegations that included unauthorized access and causing public alarm.
Some reports have described the six as having been arrested or charged. Cruise Addicts has not independently confirmed their precise legal status with Italian authorities, so those descriptions should be treated cautiously until official confirmation is available.
MSC Cruises said the situation was resolved quickly. The captain later addressed passengers to clarify that the earlier message was unauthorized and unrelated to the ship’s actual operation, while the cruise line said changes were put in place to prevent a repeat of the incident.
The episode highlights an unusual shipboard-security issue. Cruise ships rely on public-address systems to deliver routine information as well as critical instructions during real emergencies, meaning unauthorized use can create confusion even when the vessel itself is operating normally.
For travelers, the most important point is that MSC says MSC Divina was never in danger and its navigation and technical systems remained unaffected.
MSC Divina is a Fantasia-class ship that entered service in 2012 and continues to sail a variety of Mediterranean and international itineraries.
