MSC Cruises' ship MSC Meraviglia completed a 3-day "test cruise" from PortMiami Florida visiting Nassau and MSC's private island Ocean Cay.
The voyage was conducted by the CDC agency (USA's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). MSC is seeking CDC's COS (Conditional Sailing Order) in order to start cruises with paying passengers from Miami - with first departure planned for August 2.
The successful completion of the simulated voyage is part of MSC's global plan to put over 50% of its fleet back at service by the end of summer 2021.
Guests participating in the test sailing adhered to MSC’s health and safety protocols including social distancing, mask-wearing indoors, enhanced sanitization, and more.
With the MSC test cruise completed, Meraviglia plans to resume operation from the United States on August 2, beginning with 3- and 4-night voyages to The Bahamas, all featuring Ocean Cay. The liner then expects to add 7-night cruises on September 18 to the Bahamas and Caribbean.
MSC Divina will be the line's second ship to return to sailing from the U.S. with 3-, 4- and 7-night itineraries beginning September 16 from Port Canaveral (Orlando) Florida. The east-central Florida homeport is new for MSC Cruises.