MSC Cruises announced today that MSC Grandiosa and MSC Magnifica will start operations in the Mediterranean Sea from 16 and 29 August 2020 respectively.
The two ships will be the first to implement a new comprehensive health and safety protocol approved by the relevant national authorities from the countries that will call the ships this summer along their East and West-Mediterranean routes, according to a press release.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Vice President of MSC Cruises, commented, ‘During the break in our operations, we focused on developing a comprehensive management protocol that builds on already stringent health and safety measures that have long been in place on our ships. We have worked closely with the relevant EU level, national health and other authorities from the countries that will call MSC Grandiosa and MSC Magnifica along their Mediterranean itineraries to develop a comprehensive set of procedures designed to improve the health and safety of all passengers. on board to protect our ships as well as on land to ensure that local communities feel comfortable in welcoming our guests. ”
Vago continued: “The new procedures include universal COVID-19 testing for all guests and crew prior to the flight, protected ashore at any destination only with an MSC Cruises’ excursion as an added level of protection for our guests and the introduction of a “COVID Protection plan for further peace of mind for our guests. With all these measures in place, we want to offer our guests the safest vacation.”
The MSC Grandiosa will offer seven-night cruises in the western Mediterranean, calling at the Italian ports of Genoa, Civitavecchia / Rome, Naples, Palermo and Valetta.
The MSC Magnifica will offer seven-night cruises in the eastern Mediterranean, departing from the Italian ports of Bari and Trieste and sailing to the Greek ports of Corfu, Catacolon and Piraeus.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, commented, “We are very pleased to be able to start aboard two of our most popular ships this summer – including our flagship MSC Grandiosa – and in the Mediterranean to welcome the entire region where the are the roots of our Company and we have long been market leaders. “
For this initial phase of the restart of operations, the two MSC Cruises operating in the Mediterranean for the current summer season will initially welcome guests who are residents of Schengen countries and are subject to to all restrictions imposed by the Italian authorities.
MSC Cruises has today canceled all other cruises in the Mediterranean from 16 August to 31 October 2020. In addition, MSC Cruises announced the cancellation of all US cruise departures until 31 October 2020.
Finally, MSC Cruises also canceled the Far East Cruises from September 10 to October 26.
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