MSC holds out hope for UK passengers as the second ship sets sail

A second MSC Cruises ship has resumed service after Covid forced a pause in operations for much of the year.
MSC Magnifica follows MSC Grandiosa, which is on its ninth voyage, as the second ship to implement MSC Cruises’ comprehensive health and safety protocols.
MSC Magnifica departed Genoa on a 10-night Mediterranean cruise with calls at the ports of Livorno for visits to Florence and Pisa, Messina in Sicily, Piraeus for Athens, Katakolon for Olympia, Valletta in Malta, and Civitavecchia for Rome, before returning to Genoa. 
MSC Cruises UK managing director Antonio Paradiso said that the line was ready to welcome back British passengers when government guidance is relaxed.
He said: “MSC Cruises are ready to welcome British and Irish residents when the FCDO guidance changes.
“We are working closely with Clia and the relevant authorities to enable British and Irish guests to be welcome back on board our ships when the time is right.”

MSC Cruises obtains additional safety stamp

MSC Magnifica in the Forth of Firth Edinburgh.

MSC Cruises has obtained a further stamp of approval for its ability to reduce the risk of infection on board its flagship.

MSC Grandiosa, currently operating in the Mediterranean, has been awarded the Biosafe Ship additional class notation assigned by the classification society RINA.

RINA had previously verified that MSC Cruises’ health and safety protocols met European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Joint Guidance, which incorporates additional health standards including those from the EU Healthy Gateways Joint Action, allowing it to restart sailings in August.

The Biosafe Ship is an additional goal-based and voluntary notation that certifies that the ship is equipped with systems, components and has a layout and operational procedures that reduce infection risk.

Grandiosa is on her eighth consecutive weekly cruise serving guests from the Schengen area, with UK guests currently unable to board. Its other ship, MSC Magnifica, is scheduled to resume sailing on October 19.

New procedures on both ships include universal Covid-19 testing for all guests and crew prior to embarkation, protected “social bubble” shore visits at each destination and the introduction of a Covid Protection Plan of insurance.

MSC pushes summer 2021 ex-UK sailings with an all-inclusive offer

 MSC Magnifica

MSC Magnifica photo credit to Dave Jones

Summer 2021 ex-UK sailings are included in a new all-inclusive promotion launched by MSC Cruises.

The early booking promotion sees a premium drinks package included as part of the price on more than 1,000 departures between April and November 2021 from multiple embarkation ports across the world.

The initiative, which covers bookings made until December 2, includes all 22 MSC Magnifica sailings from Southampton on the ship’s second full ex-UK season as well as the Caribbean and Mediterranean fly-cruises.

UK and Ireland managing director Antonio Paradiso said: “After receiving feedback from our agents, as well as loyal customers, and taking into consideration the market landscape we’ve decided now is the right time to launch our latest promotion.

“We are seeing a definite appetite for booking holidays for 2021, however the feedback from the market has been that it has to be the right product at the right price.

“Our all-inclusive promotion is always incredibly popular, however now more than ever it’s important for guests to know that everything is taken care of.

“The all-inclusive price includes service charge and a premium drinks package so there really is nothing additional guests need to worry about.

“We understand the need from consumers to have a product that is great value, easy to understand and flexible which is why we think this promotion, combined with our stress-free cruising programme allowing flexible booking terms is the right promotion to stimulate bookings.”

He added: “We think this promotion provides a great opportunity for agents who we know are receiving enquiries from guests interested in a cruise to convert that initial interest into bookings, and ultimately to get their customers a great deal.”

Sailings from Southampton lead-in at £319 per person for a two-night mini-cruise.

A seven-night cruise on one of the flagship MSC Grandiosa starts at  £644pp.