MSC Magnifica departed from Genoa, Italy, yesterday and has become the second MSC Cruises ship to welcome passengers back on board since the cruise company resumed operations in August.
The ship has embarked on an incredible 10-night voyage of relaxation and discovery in the Western and Eastern Mediterranean, with planned stops in Livorno for Florence and Pisa, Messina in Sicily, Piraeus for Athens, Katakolon for Olympia, Valletta in Malta, and Civitavecchia for Rome, before returning to Genoa. MSC Magnifica will sail six extended Mediterranean cruises before the end of the year, including an 8-night Christmas voyage departing from Genoa on December 18.
This is the second ship to implement MSC Cruises' comprehensive health and hygiene protocol, developed by external medical experts and authorized by relevant national and regional authorities. These measures, designed to protect the well-being of our passengers, crew, and the communities we visit, were first implemented on MSC Grandiosa, the first ship to return to service and the company's flagship. It has already completed nine 7-night cruises and has successfully demonstrated the protocol's effectiveness. The measures include "social bubble" excursions so that passengers can also enjoy the destinations in each port of call.
MSC Cruises' health and hygiene protocol includes universal screening for both passengers and crew, including pre-boarding COVID-19 testing; enhanced sanitization and cleaning measures throughout the ship; social distancing; mandatory mask use in public areas; and onboard contact tracing technology. In this initial phase, the ship's capacity has also been reduced to 70% to ensure social distancing can be maintained onboard.
Passengers on MSC Magnifica Mediterranean cruises can safely visit fascinating destinations with MSC Cruises' enriched shore excursion program. Highlights include the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a tour of the historic city of Messina, an open-top bus tour of Malta, a visit to the site of the 8 AD Olympic Games in Greece, an excursion to Athens and its famous Acropolis, and a walking tour of the Eternal City. The excursions adhere to the same high standards of health and hygiene as those maintained on board, protecting not only passengers but also the communities in the ports of call.
With embarkation from four Italian ports on its 10-night cruise – Genoa, Livorno, Messina and Civitavecchia – this itinerary is accessible to any passenger residing in Schengen countries, who are the only ones who can book a cruise in this initial phase of operations.
MSC Magnifica is one of MSC Cruises' most popular mid-sized ships and offers a high ratio of balcony cabins, a large dining area with four restaurants and 11 bars, a pool with a retractable roof, a spectacular theater, a large-scale casino and a 4D cinema.
The current MSC Grandiosa sailing program is 7 nights with embarkation in the Italian ports of Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples and Palermo and also a stop in Valletta.
Passengers can book MSC Magnifica this autumn and winter and benefit from the price of COVID-19 protection insurance, free date changes up to 15 days before departure, and 3 excursions.
