It is the third time the search has been called off, amid fears the ship could suddenly slip into deeper water.
Choppy waters have been hampering the work of rescue teams and weather conditions are expected to worsen.
Earlier, a video emerged showing the crew of the stricken vessel assuring passengers nothing was wrong.
In the amateur footage, a crew member says "everything is under control" and asks passengers to go to their cabins despite the fact that the cruise ship had begun taking in water.
It is thought the delay in deciding to abandon the ship may have cost lives. Read More