MSC Cruises has updated the itinerary of MSC Bellissima for its upcoming 28-night Grand Voyage sailing from the Gulf to Asia on March 21.
In the updated MSC Grand Voyage itinerary, from March 21 to April 18, visits to the ports of Shenzhen, China; Hong Kong; and Keelung, Taiwan, will be cancelled. Instead, Laem Chabang/Bangkok, Thailand, and Phu My City/Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, will be added, along with an extra day in Kobe, Japan. Furthermore, the ship will now also call at Sir Bani Yas Island, located in the United Arab Emirates, instead of Khor Fakkan, also in the UAE.
MSC Bellissima's 28-night voyage to Asia will begin on March 21 in Dubai, with stops in Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island. From there, the journey will continue further east with stops in Colombo, Sri Lanka; Phuket, Thailand; Langkawi, Penang, and Port Klang/Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Singapore. The ship will then sail to Laem Chabang/Bangkok, Thailand; Phu My City/Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; with an overnight stay in Kobe, Japan; arriving at its final destination, Yokohama, Japan, on April 18.
To protect the health and safety of its passengers and crew worldwide, MSC Cruises began implementing a series of precautionary measures across its fleet on January 24 regarding the novel coronavirus that originated in China. While there are no cases of coronavirus on board any MSC Cruises ships, these measures are additional steps to ensure the health and well-being of all passengers and crew. Passengers embarking on a cruise should be aware of the following:
- Anyone who has traveled to mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau in the last 30 days, or who has visited or transited through airports in the aforementioned locations, will be denied boarding. The same rules apply to the travel companions of such passengers (parent, spouse, child, siblings, or a cabin mate)
- Passengers with signs or symptoms of illness such as fever (≥38°C/100.4°F), chills, cough, or difficulty breathing will be denied boarding. The same rules apply to their travel companions
- Anyone who, within 14 days prior to boarding, has had close contact with or helped care for anyone suspected of having contracted the coronavirus or diagnosed with the disease, or who is currently under health monitoring for possible exposure to the novel coronavirus, will be denied boarding;
- MSC Cruises will continue to conduct the necessary pre-boarding assessment to implement these preventative measures;
- Passengers with Chinese passports who have not traveled to or through mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau in the last 30 days and are in good health are permitted to board. However, authorities in certain countries are temporarily restricting travel to Chinese passport holders. Chinese passport holders are advised to check for any applicable travel restrictions. Please note that this list may change based on future government regulations in each country
In addition, there is a high and thorough level of hygiene on every ship across the line's fleet, and passengers and crew are advised to always follow health and safety guidelines, such as washing hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds, and all other recommended public health procedures.
The above measures and the decision to alter the ship's itinerary have been taken to preserve the safety and well-being of MSC Cruises passengers and crew.
