After having restarted (already eight months ago) to sail the waters of the Mediterranean, the company MSC Cruises announces that on May 20 it will resume sailing also in the waters of the United Kingdom, offering the British a series of short and weekly cruises which, as far as the 7-night itineraries will also include protected shore excursions. Guests of all ages can get on board, both those who have already received the vaccine and those who are waiting to receive it.
Explains Gianni Onorato, Chief Executive Officer of MSC Cruises: “Thanks to the cruises that we have launched in a safe and responsible way since August last year in the Mediterranean, we have been able to acquire an important experience regarding our health and safety protocol, which today is taken as a model by the whole sector. This protocol, designed to be modified and updated according to the evolution of the pandemic ashore, has allowed us to welcome more than 50,000 guests on board in complete safety for cruises in Italy, Malta and Greece . This is a significant number of people who can testify to having experienced a holiday in total relaxation and full safety, both on board our ships and during our protected shore excursions. After the initial phase of departure in the Mediterranean, we wish to allow also to British passengers, among the greatest cruise enthusiasts, to be able to take advantage of our idea of a safe holiday ra and responsible. A decision that is in line with the plans of the United Kingdom, which in the second half of May provide for the resumption of domestic travel “.
All cruises, starting May 20, will depart from the new Southampton cruise terminal. MSC Cruises will soon announce details on other UK ports of embarkation. All guests will undergo an antigen test prior to boarding, and unvaccinated guests will be required to show a negative test result within 72 hours prior to boarding. Other pre-boarding and on-board measures will be applied to both guests and crew, in line with MSC Cruises’ health and safety protocol. The protocol was developed in 2020 thanks to the contribution of international health experts – including the “COVID-19 Blue-Ribbon Expert Group” of MSC Cruises – and in close collaboration with national and local authorities responsible for health, transport and safety throughout Europe.