MSC Cruises offers a wide-ranging program this winter, with a selection of different ships and itineraries so passengers can choose their dream vacation with the confidence that MSC Cruises' industry-leading protocol is working, safeguarding the health of all travelers. Introduced in August 2020, the protocol has protected the health of tens of thousands of passengers during their vacations aboard one of MSC Cruises' ships. This winter, MSC Cruises has worked with the authorities in all the regions and countries where the ships will operate to ensure that its protocol meets and exceeds the required health and safety measures.
For the winter season, MSC Cruises will require passengers to provide relevant documentation upon embarkation, in accordance with travel requirements, such as a vaccination certificate, a negative COVID-19 test result, and proof of COVID-19 insurance. A full vaccination certificate is required for passengers aged 12 and over, and must have been obtained at least 14 days prior to the cruise departure, with vaccines approved and accepted by the authorities in the respective regions. Passengers aged two to 11, inclusive, must present a negative RT-PCR test result.
Many of the destinations where MSC Cruises ships will call require passengers to have COVID-19 insurance, so MSC Cruises will require it as a mandatory condition for all passengers. The insurance must cover risks related to COVID-19, including cancellation, interruption, repatriation expenses, quarantine, medical assistance and related expenses, as well as hospitalization; it is also important that this includes coverage in the event of being a close contact.
Passengers who are fully vaccinated may disembark independently, subject to the requirements of the countries they will be visiting. Passengers who are not fully vaccinated or who have children in their travel group must book a protected excursion through MSC Cruises.
To ensure a safe return home at the end of the cruise and in accordance with various national regulations, passengers may purchase and undergo an RT-PCR or antigen test during their cruise if required to return to their home country. This service is booked and paid for onboard and arranged through the Medical Center.
Given that the situation is dynamic and subject to change by different countries, it is important for passengers to carefully review the regulations at the time of booking and at the time of travel, according to their country of origin and destination, as well as consult with their airline.
MSC Cruises' health and hygiene protocol includes measures such as a high level of sanitation on board, the use of masks in indoor public areas or where physical distancing cannot be implemented, a fully equipped medical center, a contingency response plan agreed upon in collaboration with authorities on land, as well as other key measures to protect the health and safety of passengers, crew and communities visiting the ship.
SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS FOR THE REGIONS WHERE MSC CRUISES WILL OPERATE
Mediterranean
- As with the summer program, both vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers from Schengen countries will be able to book these cruises. To board, these passengers must have a negative antigen or RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure, have completed their vaccination schedule, or have recovered from COVID-19 within the last 6 months.
- Passengers from outside the Schengen area will also be able to book these cruises and must be fully vaccinated, in addition to providing a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure from the cruise.
- Passengers will only be allowed to go ashore when they book an MSC Cruises excursion, and some excursions will require an official COVID certificate (e.g., the EU Digital COVID Certificate) to access certain tourist sites such as museums or churches.
Northern Europe
- All passengers aged 12 and over must be fully vaccinated, and passengers aged 2 to 11 years will need to present a negative RT-PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the cruise.
- Passengers from outside the Schengen area will also be able to book these cruises and will need to be fully vaccinated, in addition to presenting a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure from the cruise.
Red Sea / Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates
- All passengers aged 12 and over must be fully vaccinated and present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure. Passengers aged 2 to 11 must present proof of a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure.
- For MSC Bellissima cruises in the Red Sea, a visa is required to enter Saudi Arabia, and passengers who purchase an MSC flight and cruise package will have a Saudi Arabian visa valued at €30 per person included in the total cost.
- Passengers must register their vaccination status with the Saudi Arabian authorities before arriving in the country.
Caribbean: Cruises from Miami and Port Canaveral
- All passengers aged 12 and older must be fully vaccinated. U.S. residents must provide a negative antigen test or RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure, while non-U.S. residents need a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure. All passengers aged 2 to 11 must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure.
Southern Caribbean
- All passengers aged 12 and over must be fully vaccinated and must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure. All passengers aged 2 to 11 must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure.
Grand Voyages
- All passengers aged 12 and over must be fully vaccinated and present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure from the cruise, and passengers aged 2 to 11 must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure from the cruise.
Measures and requirements for cruises in South America and South Africa will be confirmed soon.
