travel information
Update on extension of fleet-wide halting
of operations through to 31 October
Update on extension of fleet-wide halting
of operations through to 31 October
We’re glad to announce that our two flagships, MSC Grandiosa and MSC Magnifica, will resume operations in the Mediterranean starting from 16 and 29 August 2020 respectively, offering guests from Schengen countries full-experience cruise holidays.
The two ships will be the first to implement a new operating protocol that has been designed to protect the health and safety of guests, crew as well as the local communities that the Company’s ships visit. For this reason, it meets and goes beyond guidelines provided by key international and regional regulatory and technical bodies, as well as regulations set forth by the governments in the countries in which MSC Cruises ships operate. Additionally, RINA, the independent maritime certification corporation, has verified that the protocol meets the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) Guidance, which incorporates additional health standards including those from the EU Healthy Gateways Joint Action. We have worked to encompass every aspect of the guest’s journey, from the moment of booking to embarkation, life on board and through to the return back home, whilst preserving the uniqueness of the guest experience.
For more information about our Health & Safety protocols, click here (link to H&S page).
For this initial phase of the restart of operations, the two MSC Cruises ships operating in the Mediterranean for the current summer season will initially welcome guests who are residents in Schengen countries only (Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland)
MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES – Announcement 6th August 2020
For all the other cruises in the Mediterranean and Caribbean we have extended our temporary halt of operations up to 31st October
For Asia cruises we have extended our temporary halt of operations up to 26th October
• Our compensation policy will apply to these cruises as well and our guests will receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) that can be used on any sailing departing on or before 31 December 2021.
• The Future Cruise Credit (FCC) vouchers related to these new cancellations will be communicated by the end of August
• To find out more on our compensation Policy, please click here.
Our new health and safety operating protocol has been designed on regional and national guidelines set forth amongst other by the EU Healthy Gateways, the European Union-funded Joint Action, and will also align with those issued by the European Maritime Safety Agency, EMSA.
In addition, we would like to inform that:
NORTHERN EUROPE CRUISES – Announcement 6th July 2020
We have extended our temporary halting of operations in Northern Europe through to the end of the current Summer 2020 season, affecting cruises scheduled to depart until 23 October, included.
• Our compensation policy will apply to these cruises as well and our guests will receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) that can be used on any sailing departing on or before 31 December 2021.
• To find out more on our compensation Policy, please click here.
CANADA & NEW ENGLAND, MSC MERAVIGLIA CRUISES - Announcement 24th June 2020
Due to the decision of the Government of Canada to prohibit cruise ships carrying more than 100 people from operating in Canadian waters until 31 October 2020, MSC Cruises made the difficult decision to cancel our three 10-night sailings on MSC Meraviglia from New York to Canada & New England as well as the two repositioning cruises from Northern Europe to New York and from New York to Miami.
• Our compensation policy will apply to these cruises as well and our guests will receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) that can be used on any sailing departing on or before 31 December 2021.
• To find out more on our compensation Policy, please click here.
In addition, if requested, MSC Cruises will guarantee for all existing bookings on cruises sailing until October 31st (not cancelled by MSC) the flexible Commercial Policy already in place. Guests will be able to reschedule their cruise to a future departure date through to 31 December 2021 of any ship and itinerary of the MSC Cruises fleet at no additional costs. To find out more on the Flexible Cruise Programme, please click here.
We are working tirelessly with all guests and travel agents to address the impact of this necessary decision to all bookings and we are genuinely sorry for the inconvenience that this will cause you.
