A group of passengers from the MSC Grandiosa have been removed from the cruise ship after breaking the excursion protocol and separating from the group during the excursions.
On the MSC Grandiosa's first cruise after the coronavirus shutdown, protocols are being strictly followed. While other cruise lines are offering nonstop cruises, MSC Cruises has opted for port calls, but with conditions: passengers must book the company's excursions if they wish to go ashore, in order to maintain the "isolation bubble.".
On one of these excursions in Naples, a group of passengers repeatedly separated from the group, and according to eyewitnesses, they were repeatedly warned that they could not do so. Upon returning to the ship, their luggage had been unloaded, and they were unable to re-board. MSC Cruises has issued the following statement:
In line with our health and hygiene protocol, developed to ensure the health and well-being of our passengers, crew, and the communities we visit, we had to deny boarding to a family who left our shore excursion while visiting Naples. By leaving the shore excursion, this family broke the “social bubble” created for them and the other passengers and were therefore not permitted to return to the ship. These organized shore excursions allow MSC Cruises to maintain the same health and hygiene standards as onboard; for example, by ensuring that transfers are properly sanitized, that there is adequate space for social distancing, and that guides and drivers have also undergone health screening and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
