Cruise ships are slowly returning to the seas.
A trip that is being paid for as the first Mediterranean cruise since Italy implemented its lockdown has set sail. When ships start sailing, things are not quite the same as they used to be for the coronavirus pandemic.
The MSC Grandiosa left a port in Genoa in northern Italy yesterday.
(iStock)
The MSC Grandiosa left a port in Genoa in northern Italy on Sunday night, reports The Times. However, the boat operated only at 70 percent capacity, and passengers had to take health tests before boarding.
At present, MSC restricts spots on its travel for travelers who are residents of Europe’s 26-nation Schengen-free travel zone, USA Today reports.
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Italy decided to reopen its ports earlier this month after closing due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to the outlet, cruise ship tourism is a vital part of the country’s tourism sector, with an estimated 12 million cruise passengers arriving or departing from Italian ports last year.
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In a press release on its website, MSC Cruises wrote, “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 on board our ships.”
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The statement continues, “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 address the protect the health and safety of all passengers aboard our ships and land to ensure that local communities feel comfortable welcoming our guests. ”
