MSC Cruises has plans for the MSC Grandiosa to sail, if they obtain permission from the authorities, from August 16th, from Genoa, and the MSC Magnifica, from August 22nd, from Trieste.
Sources from the shipping company confirmed to Cruisesnews that the dates are not yet final and are pending approval from the authorities.
The MSC Grandiosa will offer 7-night cruises embarking in Genoa and calling at Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples, Palermo, and Valletta (Malta). The MSC Magnifica, , will offer 7-night cruises embarking in Trieste or Bari, with additional stops in Corfu, Katakolon, and Piraeus (Athens). As we announced in the previous news item, Greek ports are now open to cruise tourism, so the MSC Magnifica's route is contingent upon approval from the Italian authorities.
If confirmed, MSC Cruises would offer the new itineraries to all passengers with bookings in August, although only residents of the Schengen area, i.e., European passengers, will be able to travel.
Furthermore, when the shipping company officially announces this operation, it will extend the pause for the rest of the ships until September 30, except for the ships that were going to operate in northern Europe, which will extend the suspension until October 18.
Safety and hygiene measures
The measures that MSC Cruises will implement on board its cruise ships will exceed the strictest protocols implemented by national and international authorities, such as the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and include, among others, the following:
- Pre-boarding health questionnaire, temperature check and
- New sanitization methods such as electrostatic nebulizers to kill bacteria and viruses, and hospital-grade disinfectant products.
- Daily temperature check of all passengers.
- New activities for small groups (for children, families, fitness, dance, etc.)
- The service will be adapted to respect social distancing, as all meals will be served at the table, including at the buffet, where there will be no self-service.
- All passengers must book an excursion with MSC Cruises to go ashore at port calls. This will allow for complete control of the conditions under which the excursion takes place, minimizing risks and contact with the local population.
