Speaking at a press conference in Italy, MSC Cruises’ CEO Gianni Onorato announced the full details of the line’s comprehensive health and safety protocol developed to support the restart of cruise operations in the Mediterranean and specifically designed to protect the health and safety of the crew, passengers, and local communities that MSC Cruises' ships will call at.
The company has been working closely with the authorities in the countries where the MSC ships will call, in order to develop a comprehensive protocol. A task force, with the input and support of external medical experts, created a robust protocol with brand new MSC-specific operating procedures going beyond the regional and national guidelines and set a new standard.
The independent maritime certification corporation RINA verified that the protocol meets the EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency) Guidance, which incorporates additional health standards such as those from the EU Healthy Gateways Joint Action.
Currently, MSC Cruises is preparing for a potential restart of sailings this summer in the Mediterranean, which in terms of the current development of the pandemic and its tourist attractions, is where the line’s guests would want cruise ships to be deployed.
Whilst awaiting the final approvals, a couple of MSC Cruises ships are now making preparations - MSC Magnifica and flagship MSC Grandiosa.
MSC Grandiosa will sail on 7-night voyages in the Western Mediterranean while MSC Magnifica will offer East Mediterranean cruises. The departure dates will be determined in accordance with the relevant authorities' guidelines. The planned itineraries include Malta and Greece where the authorities have not only reopened cruise ports but have approved the health and safety protocols to support the restart of operations.