MSC Grandiosa, the flagship of MSC Cruises, departed yesterday afternoon from the port of Genoa, Italy, as planned, to resume its 7-night Mediterranean cruises after a brief pause in operations during the holiday period. The ship had to suspend its voyages due to the approval of an Italian decree restricting movement within the country.
MSC Grandiosa welcomed its first passengers back in August 2020, and the feedback from over 30,000 passengers who have sailed since then has been overwhelmingly positive, with many opting to extend their time on board by one or more weeks. The company's pioneering health and hygiene protocol has helped set the industry standard, making a cruise with MSC Cruises one of the safest vacation options.
The protocol, which is unique in the tourism industry and has been approved by national authorities in Italy, Greece, and Malta, has served as a basis for informing and supporting cruise restart plans in other parts of the world. Before boarding, all passengers undergo a series of health checks, including COVID-19 testing for all passengers and crew, as part of the health and hygiene protocol designed by MSC Cruises with the support of international experts and approved by the relevant authorities in the countries visited by the company's ships currently at sea or about to depart. The health and hygiene measures also include a response plan (in the event of a positive case on board) that could be activated in collaboration with the authorities.
MSC Cruises' health and hygiene protocol has been designed to respond to the evolving situation on land, and since November of last year, additional measures have been implemented, including mid-cruise testing for all passengers and weekly testing for all crew members, as well as enhanced hygiene and cleaning protocols. Everyone on board observes social distancing and wears a mask in public areas, and passenger technology has been leveraged to facilitate contact tracing on board. To maintain a safe bubble on the ship, passengers are only permitted to go ashore on a protected excursion, ensuring they are protected by the same measures as on board, even while on land.
The company's flagship, MSC Grandiosa, was launched in November 2019 and offers a wide range of experiences for passengers. The iconic Mediterranean-style interior gallery is the ship's central hub, featuring a stunning LED screen on the ceiling that changes the scenery every hour of the day and night. Passengers can enjoy a diverse selection of international cuisine, including five specialty restaurants, and for those seeking a more exclusive experience, there's the MSC Yacht Club – the yacht within the ship – which offers a host of amenities such as a private pool, an exclusive lounge and restaurant, and 24-hour butler service. While on board, passengers can relax and enjoy a variety of activities, all conducted under strict health and hygiene protocols, ensuring a memorable experience.
