In anticipation of its winter 2021-2022 cruise season, MSC Cruises has announced its updated health and safety protocols for passengers.
The line has worked with the authorities in all regions and countries where it sails to ensure that these measures meet and exceed all relevant requirements.
Here’s an overview of the requirements for each region where MSC will be sailing this winter:
In this article:
All passengers ages 12 and older need to be fully vaccinated. U.S. residents must provide proof of a negative antigen or PCR test taken within 48 hours of their cruise departure. Non-U.S. residents need to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the cruise departure.
All guests ages 2 to 11 will need to provide proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their cruise departure.
Southern Caribbean
All passengers 12 and older need to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of embarkation. Kids ages 2 to 11 must provide the same negative test from within the same time frame.
Mediterranean
Vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers from Schengen countries will be able to take Mediterranean cruises with MSC.
Unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated passengers will need to present a negative antigen or PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure, OR be fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 within the last six months.
Non-Schengen guests will also be able to book these cruises, but only if they are fully vaccinated and able to provide a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of the cruise departure.
Guests can only go ashore on an excursion booked through MSC, and some excursions will require an official COVID certificate to access some venues, such as museums or churches.
Northern Europe
All passengers 12 and older need to be fully vaccinated, while those ages 2 to 11 will need to provide proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours of embarkation.
Non-Schengen guests will also be able to book these cruises, and must be fully vaccinated and provide a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the cruise departure.
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Red Sea/Saudi Arabia & UAE
All passengers 12 and older must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the cruise departure. Kids ages 2 to 11 will need to provide proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of embarkation.
For MSC Bellissima voyages in the Red Sea, a visa is required for entry into Saudi Arabia and passengers who purchase a MSC Fly & Cruise package will have a visa for Saudi Arabia valued at 30 euros per person included in the overall cost.
Guests must register their vaccination status with Saudi Arabian authorities prior to arriving in the country.
Grand Voyages
All passengers 12 and older need to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their cruise departure. Kids 2 to 11 will need to provide proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of embarkation.
Other Information
Many destinations that MSC ships visit require passengers to have a COVID-19 insurance policy. Because of this, MSC will require that this is mandatory for all passengers. The insurance needs to cover against COVID-19 related risks such as cancellation, interruption, repatriation expenses, quarantine, medical assistance and related expenses, and hospitalization.
Passengers who are fully vaccinated can go ashore on their own according to the requirements of the countries they visit (except in the Mediterranean). Those who aren’t fully vaccinated or have kids in their traveling party can only go ashore on an MSC Cruises excursion.
Onboard, masks are required in indoor public areas.
Requirements for South America and South Africa will be announced soon.
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