Second MSC Cruises Ship Restarts Sailing in the Mediterranean

MSC Magnifica became the second MSC Cruises ship to restart sailing in the Mediterranean Sea prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The vessel departed from Genoa, Italy last week and is set to sail on a 10-night cruise with calls at Livorno, Messina, Piraeus, Katakolon, Valletta, and Civitavecchia before returning to Genoa.

MSC Magnifica joins its sister ship, MSC Grandiosa, as the second MSC ship to restart sailings. Grandiosa restarted cruising in August and has completed nine cruises so far.

Magnifica has implemented a comprehensive health and safety protocol to limit exposure to COVID-19 on-board. These measures have been endorsed by external medical experts and formally approved by the relevant national and regional authorities.

Measures include pre-boarding COVID-19 testing for passengers and crew, significantly reduced capacity, enhanced sanitation and cleaning measures throughout the vessel, managed social distancing, and more. Guests are requires to wear face masks in public areas and the ship has been equipped with technology to track and trace on board.

For now, the ship's capacity has been reduced to 70 per cent to ensure social distancing protocols can be guaranteed on board.

MSC Magnifica is currently only open to residents of Schengen countries. She will operate six Mediterranean cruises before the end of the year, including an eight-night Christmas voyage that will depart December 18 from Genoa.