Geneva, Switzerland, August 3, 2020 – During a press conference today in Italy, MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato confirmed details of the health and hygiene protocol the company has developed to support the resumption of its operations in the Mediterranean. This protocol is designed to protect the health and safety of passengers, crew, and the communities in the ports where its ships will call.
MSC Cruises has worked closely with the authorities of the various countries where the company's ships call to develop a comprehensive protocol. A dedicated team, with the support and expertise of external medical specialists, has developed a protocol outlining MSC Cruises' new operating procedures, which go beyond national and local guidelines and have established a new standard. Furthermore, RINA, the independent maritime certification corporation, has verified that the protocol complies with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) guidance, which incorporates other health standards, including those of the EU Healthy Gateways Joint Action.
MSC Cruises has developed new operating procedures that build upon existing safety measures and long-standing protocols on board the company's ships. These new procedures include COVID-19 testing for all passengers and crew before embarkation, safe shore excursions at destinations exclusively with MSC Cruises excursions, an additional layer of protection for our passengers, and the implementation of a COVID Protection Plan for added peace of mind. With all these measures in place, MSC Cruises hopes to offer its passengers the safest possible vacation experience.
MSC Cruises has worked to cover all aspects of the passenger journey, from the moment of booking to embarkation, life on board and until the return home, while preserving the exceptional nature of the passenger experience.
Restarting with itineraries through the Mediterranean
MSC Cruises is preparing for a potential restart of its operations this summer in the Mediterranean, where, due to the ongoing pandemic and the region's tourist attractions, passengers may be eager to see the ships sail. Therefore, while awaiting final approvals, two MSC Cruises ships are preparing to set sail – the flagship MSC Grandiosa and the ever-popular MSC Magnifica. MSC Grandiosa will offer 7-night cruises in the Western Mediterranean, and MSC Magnifica will sail in the Eastern Mediterranean. Final departure dates will be determined based on guidelines received from the relevant authorities. Itineraries include ports in Greece and Malta, where authorities have reopened to cruise ships and approved the health and hygiene protocol developed for the resumption of operations.
For this initial phase of resuming operations, the two MSC Cruises ships operating in the Mediterranean this summer season will, for the time being, only welcome passengers residing in Schengen countries. Furthermore, these itineraries have been designed in conjunction with the relevant authorities and in accordance with port accessibility, minimizing, where possible, the need for passengers to use public transportation or flights.
MSC Cruises' comprehensive health and hygiene operating protocol aims to set a new standard
MSC Cruises' new operational protocol was developed by a cross-functional working group of company experts in various areas, including medical services, public health and hygiene, hospitality services, onboard technology and engineering systems, and others. The protocol and operational procedures were developed with the support of Aspen Medical, a leading medical services provider. Furthermore, the working group's efforts were supported by the training and commitment of a Blue Ribbon COVID Expert Group—a panel of highly qualified and internationally respected experts who will inform and review the company's initiatives, ensuring that actions are appropriate, effective, and informed by the best scientific and health practices.
By incorporating new data and research on COVID-19, a greater understanding of the virus and its behavior, and the latest technology in detection and protection against potential infection, the new operating protocol has been designed to prevent and mitigate the risk of transmission during MSC Cruises holidays. This includes the following points regarding prevention measures and response planning:
- A universal passenger health screening will be conducted before boarding, comprising three steps: temperature check, a health questionnaire, and a COVID-19 test. Depending on the results of the screening and the passenger's medical or travel history, a second health assessment will be performed. Any passenger who tests positive, displays symptoms, or has an abnormal temperature will be denied boarding. Following the guidelines of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, passengers arriving from countries categorized as high-risk will be required to present a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of boarding. All crew members will be tested for COVID-19 before boarding and regularly throughout their employment.
- High sanitation and cleaning standards supported by the introduction of new cleaning methods, the use of hospital-grade disinfectant products and the sanitization of onboard air with UV-C technology that kills 99.97% of microbes;
- Social distancing will be enabled by reducing the overall passenger capacity on board, allowing for more space for passengers—approximately 10 m² per person based on 70% of total capacity. Venue capacity will be reduced, activities will be modified to accommodate smaller groups, and passengers will be required to pre-book services and activities to manage capacity. Where social distancing is not possible, passengers will be required to wear a face mask, for example, in elevators. Face masks will be provided daily to passengers in their cabins and will be available throughout the ship.
- Enhanced medical facilities and services with highly qualified staff, the necessary equipment to assess and treat suspected COVID-19 patients, and the availability of free treatment at the onboard Medical Center for any passenger with symptoms. Several cabins will also be dedicated to the isolation of any suspected cases and their close contacts.
- Continuous health monitoring will be conducted throughout the cruise. Passengers and crew will have their temperature checked daily upon returning from shore and at dedicated stations around the ship to monitor the health status of every passenger and crew member. During this initial phase of operations, as an additional enhanced protection measure and to avoid risks to passenger health, only those participating in an MSC Cruises-organized excursion will be allowed to disembark. This means that MSC Cruises can ensure that while passengers are ashore, their excursions will meet the same high standards of hygiene and health as those on board. We will ensure that excursion vehicles are properly disinfected and that there is adequate spacing. Tour guides and drivers will also undergo health screenings and wear appropriate PPE.
- A contingency response plan will be activated if a suspected case is identified, in close cooperation with national health authorities. The suspected case and close contacts will follow isolation measures and may disembark in accordance with local and national regulations.
From the moment a passenger begins planning and booking until the moment they return home, MSC Cruises has assessed every touchpoint of their vacation to establish appropriate health and hygiene measures. Passengers will receive support every step of the way with simple and practical information, clear booking conditions, and supporting technology to make the process seamless and hassle-free.
MSC Cruises has introduced a new MSC COVID-19 Protection Plan to provide passengers with greater peace of mind during this summer's cruises, for passengers residing in Schengen countries. This will cover passengers if they become infected before departure and are unable to travel, medical expenses during the cruise, and post-cruise if the passenger becomes ill. In addition to this, passengers will also need to have their usual medical and travel insurance coverage.
In addition, a redesigned boarding procedure with digital check-in has been implemented to make the process smoother and contactless for managing passenger flow upon arrival. Health and hygiene measures at the cruise terminal will meet the same high standards as those onboard. Passengers will undergo a COVID-19 test, temperature check, and a personal health questionnaire review to ensure each passenger's good health and eligibility for the cruise. If further checks are required, these will be carried out by medical personnel, and if necessary, another COVID-19 test will be administered.
On land, passengers will be able to enjoy the various destinations visited by the ships, but this will be as part of an excursion organized by MSC Cruises and conducted with the same high standards of health and hygiene as onboard. By making this decision, the Company can ensure that every aspect of the passenger's time ashore meets the appropriate health and hygiene standards, ensuring that transfer vehicles are properly disinfected, that tour guides and drivers use PPE, and that the places to visit have been pre-selected to guarantee that there are areas reserved for MSC Cruises passengers at attractions.
Passenger-centric technology supports health and safety measures
MSC Cruises' health and hygiene measures are supported by industry-leading passenger technology to facilitate a contactless experience and provide passengers with important and relevant information when they need it.
For passengers on board both ships, the MSC for Me app will support and facilitate the new health and hygiene measures. The app can be used to book services, manage daily onboard activities, and access information.
In addition, on board MSC Grandiosa, all passengers and crew members will receive a free MSC for Me wristband, which will facilitate contactless transactions throughout the ship, as well as contact and proximity tracking.
A new information service, accessible by phone, will allow passengers to call Reception before going in person.
An enriched onboard experience
Passengers will continue to enjoy magnificent experiences that are fundamental to an MSC Cruises holiday, including award-winning theater shows, world-class dining, family activities, boutique shopping, exciting events and much more, but with some changes and adaptations to ensure their health and safety are protected.
- Onboard activities and entertainment have been redesigned to accommodate smaller groups, and passengers will need to book in advance. A wide range of activities will be available throughout the cruise, including themed events, fun games, talent shows, exercise, dancing, and more.
- children's activities and family games will be available daily. New spaces on board will be reserved for children and teenagers, as youth areas will operate at reduced capacity. Parents with a scheduled excursion can still leave their children with the entertainment team by booking one day in advance. Lunch and dinner with the entertainment team will take place alongside popular children's activities such as MasterChef At Sea Juniors, MSC Dance Crew, the family game show Cabin 12006 and its web series, and the LEGO Experience.
- MSC Cruises will continue to offer a wide variety of live entertainment throughout the ship, with some adjustments to capacity. For example, as the theater's capacity will be reduced to ensure responsible social distancing, the entertainment program will be adapted so that all our passengers can enjoy a wide variety of award-winning shows.
- Restaurants , bars, and lounges will allow for social distancing, and all meals and beverages will be served to passengers at their tables. In the main dining room, breakfast, lunch, and dinner times will be assigned to manage passenger flow. The buffet restaurant will offer a new service concept and a new passenger flow system to ensure social distancing. Instead of self-service, passengers will select their desired items, and the food will be plated and handed to them to take to their tables, ensuring the highest health and hygiene standards are followed. For a contactless experience, passengers can access restaurant and bar menus from their personal mobile devices by scanning a QR code.
For more information on MSC Cruises' health and hygiene measures, as well as the passenger experience, please visit the following link: https://www.msccruceros.es/es-es/Medidas-Salud-Higiene.aspx
MSC Cruises Blue-Ribbon COVID Expert Group
The MSC Cruises Blue-Ribbon COVID expert group brings together the following highly qualified and internationally respected experts in the fields of medicine, public health and/or related scientific disciplines:
- Professor Christakis Hadjichristodoulou, Professor of Hygiene and Epidemiology at the Faculty of Medicine, as well as Vice President of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Thessaly, Greece;
- Professor Stephan J. Harbarth, Epidemiologist, Infectious Disease Specialist and Head of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG) and the Faculty of Medicine;
- Dr. Ian Norton, an emergency medicine specialist with postgraduate degrees in Surgery, International Health and Tropical Medicine, is currently the managing director of Respond Global, formerly head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Medical Team Initiative program until January 2020.
