health and safety measures
MSC Cruises is offering a safe and stress-free holiday option for you and your loved ones. Embarking on an MSC cruise ship is like entering in a safe bubble thanks to our stringent MSC Cruises Health & Safety Protocol.
Our priority is the health and safety of our guests and crew. The below measures are applicable to sailings in the upcoming months, including Summer 2021 departures in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. We are continuously assessing developments in response to the COVID-19 and will adapt the health and safety measures to maintain a safe bubble.
IMPORTANT COVID-19 INFORMATION/PRE-BOARDING MEASURES AND SCREENING - TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
We will deny boarding in case of:
• Symptoms such as fever (>37,5 C C / 99.5 F), cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle/body aches, fatigue, headache, sore throat and loss of taste/smell in the 14 days prior to embarkation
• Potential exposure to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID 19 in the 14 days prior to embarkation
• Temporary travel restrictions based on local circumstances. For example, certain countries may deny visas or prohibit entry based on travel history or nationality.
For MSC Grandiosa and MSC Seaside in the upcoming months, please note that all Guests will need to take an RT-PCR or antigen swab test prior to the ship’s departure: within 96 hours for Italian residents and within 48 hours for guests entering into Italian territory from abroad. The test results certificate must be printed in two copies and presented at the terminal in order to embark on the ship. The test is not required for passengers under 2 years old. To allow a safe return home to our Guests in compliance with national regulations, MSC Cruises has organized the possibility for its guests (on board MSC Grandiosa) to purchase and perform a molecular swab RT-PCR or an antigen test during their cruise (in Palermo). More information in the FAQ section.
*Includes anyone who has travelled to, from, or through the Schengen countries, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia in the past 14 days prior to the ship's departure.
We continue to work with relevant authorities to keep the above requirements up to date.
The MSC Cruises Health & Safety Protocol is developed with the Blue Ribbon Covid Expert Group
and MSC Grandiosa has obtained the Biosafe Ship additional class notation from RINA.
How we protect your health & safety
before, during and after your cruise
the ONBOARD EXPERIENCE
We are committed to preserving the uniqueness of the onboard experience whilst ensuring that your health and safety are protected. You will continue to enjoy unique experiences including award-winning shows, world-class dining, excursions, family activities, boutique shopping, beauty and fitness services, engaging events and much more. Onboard services are subject to changes based on local regulations or other restrictions, in the context of the COVID-19 situationfaq
We prepared a list of Frequent Asked Quesions (FAQ) to quickly get answers to you for the most common questions
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
- Are there any travel restrictions under the new protocol, such as current health status, past medical history or age
- - Are there any travel restrictions for certain nationalities or countries of residence that may prevent guests from being allowed on board our ships in the upcoming months?
For cruises until end of June 2021 we will initially only welcome guests who are residents in the 26 European ‘Schengen’ countries (Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland) and Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia.
For MSC Grandiosa and MSC Seaside cruises in the upcoming months, please note that all Guests will need to take an RT-PCR or antigen swab test prior to the ship’s departure: within 96 hours for Italian residents and within 48 hours for guests entering into Italian territory from abroad. The test results certificate must be printed in two copies and presented at the terminal in order to embark on the ship. The test is not required for passengers under 2 years old.
*Includes anyone who has travelled to, from, or through the Schengen countries, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia in the past 14 days prior to the ship's departure.
- What is the MSC Covid-19 Protection Plan?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic that the world is still facing , MSC will extend the MSC Covid-19 Protection plan to the whole Winter 20-21 season of MSC Grandiosa, MSC Seaside, and the Summer 2021 season. Effective immediately, before finalizing the reservation, it will be possible to add to the cruise the MSC COVID-19 Protection plan at the price of 25 euros per person for Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises, and 29 euros for Caribbean cruises.
- Are there any specific requirements for guests already vaccinated against COVID-19?
The accelerated rollout of vaccines worldwide is a gamechanger for the health of our guests. Following the guidance from the World Health Organization, being vaccinated does not mean that you cannot put at risk other people. Therefore, the current health and safety protocols are absolutely critical for the wellbeing of our guests, crew and the communities that visit our ships. We are prepared for the hybrid situation of safely sailing with vaccinated and unvaccinated guests thanks to our stringent Health & safety measures such as COVID-19 test for all guests before embarking, social distancing and wearing masks. The current measures will remain in place in the upcoming months.
We are continuously assessing developments in response to the COVID-19 and will adapt the health and safety measures as needed.
EMBARKATION / DISEMBARKATION
- Do guests need to provide any medical documents to show that they are COVID-19 negative at embarkation/disembarkation?
Before boarding, all guests must complete a health questionnaire and report any symptoms of illness or potential exposure to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to embarkation. All guests must undergo a contactless temperature check. All guests (as of 2 years old) will undertake a COVID-19 screening (antigen swab test) at the cruise terminal before boarding, to ensure they are healthy and fit to travel. Depending on the screening results, guests may participate in a secondary review with medical professionals or be denied boarding.
For MSC Grandiosa and MSC Seaside sailings in the upcoming months, please note that all Guests will need to take an RT-PCR or antigen swab test prior to the ship’s departure: within 96 hours for Italian residents and within 48 hours for guests entering into Italian territory from abroad. The test results certificate must be printed in two copies and presented at the terminal in order to embark on the ship. The test is not required for passengers under 2 years old.
*Includes anyone who has travelled to, from, or through the Schengen countries, Romania, Bulgaria and Croatia in the past 14 days prior to the ship's departure.
- Is it possible to get tested during the cruise to comply with regulations from my travel back home?
For MSC Grandiosa sailings in the upcoming months, to ensure the highest standards of health and safety and allow a safe return home to our Guests in compliance with national regulations, MSC Cruises has organized the possibility for its guests to purchase and perform a molecular swab RT-PCR or an antigen test during their cruise.
The molecular RT-PCR test will be analyzed by an authorized shoreside laboratory and will be charged 80 euros. The tests will be organized in Palermo (except in case of itinerary change) to comply with the 48h or 72h test validity to return to your country according to your national regulations. The antigenic test is always available for 25 euros. These tests do not substitute the complimentary covid tests performed on board to comply with our comprehensive health and safety protocol.
- What will happen if embarkation is denied to a guest for health reasons?
If a guest is then not considered fit to travel, they will be assisted in their next steps of a return home or will be potentially being treated in a local medical facility to ensure maximum support and care.
- What safety protocols will be implemented on transfers and shuttles?
We are extending our enhanced health and hygiene measures to all MSC transfers, including:
- Cleaning and sanitisation of all vehicles before any new group of guests
- Availability of hand sanitisation stations and disinfectant mats for footwear
- Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for all drivers
- Reduced number of guests with selected seats empty to ensure social distancing
- How are you cleaning and sanitising the guest cabins?
Every cabin will be deep cleaned at the end of each cruise before the next guests arrive for their holiday.
- How often are you sanitising public areas?
- What measures are you taking for the disembarkation process at the end of a cruise?
- How will the check-in take place?
ONBOARD MEDICAL SERVICES
- What happens if there is a suspected case of COVID-19 on board?
- Have you agreed with specific ports that they will welcome your ships that have positive cases on board for medical assistance ashore?
- Do you have certified COVID-19 tests on board your ships?
- How the health of anyone on board is monitored?
For MSC Grandiosa and MSC Seaside sailings in the upcoming months, all guests will undergo an additional swab test during the cruise whilst on board, on top of the existing pre-boarding COVID-19 testing. The test is mandatory.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
- Will social distancing rules be applied onboard?
DINE & DRINK
- How will the Main Dining experience change?
Face masks do not need to be worn by our guests when seated in the restaurants, but only when entering the venue.
- Will the self-service at buffet be available?
- Will there be any changes to the bars and lounges?
- How I can prebook my drinks or restaurants onboard?
- How I can get the restaurants and drinks menu at bars and restaurants?
ENTERTAINMENT, SERVICES & EXCURSIONS
- Will guests still be able to enjoy the theatre shows and other activities?
- We are reducing the capacity of the theatre to allow for empty seats between guests
- The entertainment programme will be extended so that all guests can enjoy our award-winning shows
- Shows and activities will be pre-booked to manage the number of participants
- Guests will be required to wear a face mask when in the theatre
- Will the Kids Club be open and what kind of kids’ activities will be available?
- Will you still have Spa and Fitness services available to guests?
For their health and comfort, guests will pre-book spa treatments, fitness sessions and thermal area visits by phone.
Fitness machines and equipment, spa areas and treatment rooms will be thoroughly sanitised after each use as well as deep-cleaned and disinfected every night.
All Spa staff have been trained on rigorous health and sanitation measures and will wear appropriate protective equipment.
Book Now your Spa packages!
*Depending on ship-class, the following experiences will be closed until further notice: Saunas, Steam Rooms, Heat Baths Whirlpools, Ice & Snow Experiences. Salt Relax Room, Harmonic Relax Rooms, Experience Showers, Heated Loungers will remain open to our guests.