MSC Cruises Announces Protocol Changes For U.S.-Based Voyages
MSC Cruises has announced changes to its COVID protocols for voyages from the U.S. to the Caribbean and Bahamas.
Starting September 1st, the line will relax its testing and vaccination requirements for United States residents. Vaccines are no longer required, and pre-cruise testing is no longer required for fully vaccinated guests.
Unvaccinated passengers will need to show proof of a negative viral test taken within three days of embarkation.
Protocols remain unchanged for non-U.S. residents.
Currently, MSC has two ships in the Caribbean. MSC Divina is sailing from Port Canaveral, and MSC Seashore is based in Miami.
STORY: MSC Cruises Drops Vaccination Mandate For Voyages From The U.S.
Norwegian Cruise Line Likely Switching From Pepsi to Coke
There’s an indication that Norwegian Cruise Line may be switching from Pepsi Products to Coca-Cola later this year. The line jumped from Coke to Pepsi in 2009 and has been serving Pepsi products ever since.
The beverage package on the NCL website now reflects Cola products in the $9.95 per day soda package.
In late 2019, Carnival Cruise Line announced the switch that was just the opposite, going from Coke to Pepsi.
According to Beverage Digest, a good old Coca-Cola is the most consumed soda in the U.S., taking almost 18 percent of the country’s soda consumption.
Celebrity Eclipse Sail Away Delayed Due to Worker’s Strike
Celebrity Eclipse departed its homeport nearly 24 hours after the scheduled departure time due to a tugboat worker’s strike on Sunday.
The vessel was scheduled to depart Vancouver, Canada on Sunday evening for a seven-night cruise to Alaska. However, a fuel barge was alongside, and needed a tugboat to move it before Eclipse could set sail.
Because of the strike, no tugboat was available and the ship was effectively trapped at the dock through the night and into Monday morning.
Just after noon on Monday, tugboats arrived and the ship was able to set sail early Monday afternoon.