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MSC Cruises upgrades health and safety protocols ahead of Mediterranean cruises

MSC Cruises has launched two new Mediterranean itineraries and upgraded their health and safety protocols.

Two new ships, MSC Grandiosa and MSC Magnifica, will offer seven-night cruises in the West Mediterranean and East Mediterranean respectively. The itineraries have been designed to reduce the need for public transport or flights, with safe and accessible ports. For the initial phase, the ships will only welcome guests residing in Schengen countries. For clients based in the UK and Ireland, the cruise line can advise travel agents on their options.

Health and safety protocols include: universal COVID-19 testing for all guests and crew prior to embarkation, protected ashore visits at each destination only with an MSC Cruises excursion. As well as the use of hospital-grade disinfectant products, the sanitation of the air on board will be carried out with UV-C light technology, and all spaces will be used to a maximum 70% capacity. Face masks will be provided to guests in the cabin daily and will be available around the ship.

A group of COVID-19 experts will make sure there is every possible facility on board to test, evaluate and treat suspected COVID-19 patients. Guests and crew will have their temperature checked daily and a contingency response plan will be activated, if a suspected case is identified. There will be an isolation cabin for suspected cases and close contacts.

Digital check-in processes during embarkation, with designated timeslots to manage the guest flow, has been planned, along with the COVID-19 swab test, a temperature check and an in-person check, with a health questionnaire, before boarding. Those travelling from countries categorised as high risk will be required to take a molecular RT-PCR test, within 72 hours of joining the ship.

The MSC for Me app will help guests book services and manage their daily activities on board. Every MSC Grandiosa guest and crew member will be provided with a complimentary MSC for Me wristband, which facilitates contactless transactions around the ship, as well as provides contact and proximity tracing. A new Information Centre, accessible by telephone, will allow guests to call guest services for information, rather than visit the desk in person.

MSC Cruise guests will have reserved seats at shore excursions, with properly sanitised transfers, tour guides and drivers wearing PPE, and pre-screened venues and sites. The onboard and indoors entertainment venues will be active, including theatre, dining, family activities, boutique shopping, games, talent shows, fitness and dance, with some changes and adaptations. These have been redesigned to enable smaller group sizes. New spaces on board will be reserved for children and teenagers, as the youth areas will operate at a reduced capacity. Parents on excursion can still leave children with the youth staff by making a reservation one day in advance. Lunch and dinner with the youth staff will still take place along with popular kids? activities such as MasterChef At Sea Juniors, MSC Dance Crew, Cabin 12006 family game show and web series and the LEGO experience.

Restaurants, bars and lounges will allow for social distancing and all meals and drinks will be served to guests at their table. Self-service facilities will be replaced by a system where guests tell staff their food choices and the meals will be plated and handed to them, to take back to their tables. Guests will be able to access restaurant and bar menus on mobile phones by scanning a QR code.

For more information on MSC Cruises? health and safety measures visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSnKA5veZKw&feature=youtu.be



Travel Bulletin

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