Cruise Line Adds Mid-Cruise Testing for Passengers

MSC Cruises has introduced several operational changes to cruises that are currently sailing in the Mediterranean. The changes include pausing service for a month while another vessel will see additional health measures and mid-cruise COVID-19 testing.

Due to the introduction of significant restrictions of movement in Europe, in particular in France and Germany, the cruise line is temporarily suspending further sailings of MSC Magnifica until December 18, 2020.

MSC Grandiosa will continue and extend her current sailings in the Western Mediterranean through to March 2021. MSC will add the following additional health and safety measures on top of the existing comprehensive protocol:

· Additional onboard testing for all guests mid-way through their cruise

· Increased testing of all crew to weekly

· Increased frequency of onboard sanitation in public areas and high touch points

· Tightening of the definition of close contact for tracing purposes from 15 minutes to 10 minutes

The MSC Cruises health and safety protocol was designed to be able to adapt to the evolution of the pandemic to ensure the best protection possible for guests, crew and the communities the ships visit.

In connection with the new health protocols and the continued unavailability of the majority of ports along the proposed itinerary, MSC Cruises has been forced to cancel its 2021 World Cruise. Guests will be contacted with rescheduling options.

MSC resumed sailing on August 16. The MSC Grandiosa was the first ship to restart sailing since operations were suspended at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.