This was not smooth sailing.
A family has departed from the oldest Mediterranean cruise to reach the high seas following Italy’s pandemic lockdown, after reporting for breaching the ship’s new safety protocol amid the coronavirus health crisis.
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The unnamed family was not allowed to board MSC Cruises ‘Grandiosa’ on Tuesday after breaking their ‘social bubble’ and leaving their ship-sponsored excursion in Naples, Italy, USA Today reports.
Following the death of an unnamed family, Grandiosa of MSC Cruises was unable to board, pictured, after breaking her “social bubble.” (iStock)
A spokesman said the passengers on board were refused because they had separated from the organized group trip to explore on their own, and thus a possible risk to others on the ocean floor amid the ongoing outbreak of COVID -19.
“This family broke out of the ‘social bubble’ created for them and all the other guests, and therefore could not be allowed to board the ship again,” the MSC Cruises spokesman said.
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The MSC Grandiosa sailed from Genoa on Sunday night for a seven-night cruise from the western Mediterranean, with ports of call in Civitavecchia, Naples, Palermo and Valetta, Malta.
In coastal exits, guests must remain within their MSC excursion group “as an added level of protection so that their experience on land follows the same high standards of health and safety as on board,” the cruise line said in a statement.
For example, guests who visited Rome on Monday sold the Eternal City with respect for social distance and traveled with sanitized transfers. The Grandiosa passengers were accompanied by tour guides and drivers who also “followed strict health and safety measures.”
Holidaymakers arriving in Rome in four Mediterranean countries set up their suitcases at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci airport to test immediately for COVID-19, Sunday 16 August 2020. (AP Photo / Andrew Medichini)
The Grandiosa’s current voyage is touted as the first major Mediterranean cruise to sail after Italy’s long lockdown, the Associated Press reports.
Currently, the Grandiosa operates only at 70 percent capacity, and passengers were required to take health tests before boarding over the weekend.
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In addition, MSC restricts guests to residents of the European 26-nation Schengen-free travel zone.
Fox News’ Michael Hollan and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
