MSC Cruises has received a green light to resume operations in the Mediterranean. MSC Grandiosa and MSC Maggnifica will offer the opportunity to discover five different destinations during a 7-night cruise. The two ships will be the first to implement MSC Cruises’ new health and safety protocol.
Starting from 16 and 29 August 2020, MSC Grandiosa and MSC Maggnifica will offer guests full-experience cruise holidays with the opportunity to discover five different destinations during a 7-night cruise. Their itineraries have been designed according to the accessibility of the ports, reducing where possible, the need for guests to use of public transport or flights.
MSC Grandiosa, the company’s flagship, will offer seven-night cruises in the Western Mediterranean calling at the Italian ports of Genoa, Civitavecchia/Rome, Naples, Palermo and Valetta. MSC Magnifica will offer seven-night cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean departing from the Italian ports of Bari and Trieste, calling at the Greek ports of Corfu, Katakolon and Piraeus.
Also read: Five reasons why you will love MSC Grandiosa
For the initial phase of the restart of operations, the two ships will welcome guests who are residents in Schengen countries.
During the pause in operations MSC Cruises developed a comprehensive operating protocol that builds upon already stringent health and safety measures. The cruise line worked closely with the relevant EU-level, national health and other authorities from the countries that MSC Grandiosa and MSC Magnifica will call along their Mediterranean itineraries. The new protocol includes a comprehensive set of procedures designed to protect the health and safety of all passengers on board the ships as well as ashore to ensure that local communities feel comfortable welcoming MSC cruise passengers back.
Further reading: A look at MSC Cruises’ new health and safety protocol
The new procedures include universal COVID-19 testing for all guests and crew prior to embarkation, protected ashore visits at each destination only with an MSC Cruises excursion as added level of protection for guests and the introduction of a COVID Protection Plan, which provides further peace of mind for guests.
Further cancellations
While MSC Grandiosa and MSC Magnifica will set sail in the coming weeks, all other cruises in the Mediterranean from 16 August through to and including 31 October have been cancelled.
Guests who are resident in Schengen countries, and subject to any restrictions imposed by the Italian authorities, can transfer their booking to either MSC Grandiosa or MSC Magnifica. Guests will receive up to three complimentary shore excursions. Alternatively, they will be offered a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) that they can use on any ship with any itinerary in the MSC Cruises fleet sailing through to December 2021.
Guests who already have an FCC voucher from previous cancelled cruises and are resident in Schengen countries and subject to any restrictions imposed by the Italian authorities, can use their voucher on these two ships taking advantage of up to three complimentary shore excursions. Non-Schengen residents will automatically be eligible for an FCC that can be used to transfer their bookings at no cost, to any ship on any itinerary in the MSC Cruises fleet sailing through to December 2021.
MSC Cruises has also cancelled all U.S cruise departures up to and including 31 October. This is in line with the announcement that CLIA members will voluntarily extend the suspension of cruise operations to this date. MSC Cruises will only restart operations in the U.S only when the time is right, following approval by the CDC and other relevant authorities across the region in observance of their requirements and guidelines.
Finally, MSC Cruises also cancelled the Far East cruises from 10 September through to and including 26 October.
For full details visit MSC Cruises.