MSC Cruises to implement next-generation air sanitisation system

Posted on 27 October, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Welcomes their New Ship: MSC Seashore | Cruise1st Blog

MSC Cruises will be the first cruise line in the world to install a new advanced air sanitization system onboard its ships.

The new technology sanitization system, known as Safe Air, will improve the quality and cleanliness of onboard air for all passengers and crew.

The Safe Air system will be fitted on MSC Seashore, which is currently undergoing construction at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard.

The first in MSC Cruises’ Seaside Eco class of ships, MSC Seashore is due to be delivered in July 2021.

Safe Air is just the latest in a string of new health and safety measures being implemented by MSC Cruises, following the Covid-19 pandemic and the temporary suspension of cruising.The Safe Air system based on the technology of UV-C lamps which are type C ultraviolet rays applied in combination with the ship’s air conditioning system.

Airflow is radiated at the source with a short wavelength light that hits organic particles and prevents the circulation of air pollutants such as viruses, bacteria, and mould.

The system was developed by the Fincantieri’s designers and technicians and the virology laboratory of the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, a leading global research institute headquartered in Trieste, Italy.

While MSC Seashore isn’t due to launch until 2021, the cruise line is implementing a host of other strict health and safety procedures in the meantime.

Since partially resuming operations on 16 August on MSC Grandiosa, MSC has been following procedures like universal health screening before boarding, temperature checks, health questionnaires, Covid-19 antigen swab tests, and the wearing of face masks.

Other aspects of the protocol include enhanced sanitization and cleaning, a social bubble for shore excursions, testing of the crew, enhanced medical facilities, and daily health monitoring.

Costa Releases More Details on Restart

Posted on 21 August, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Costa Cruises restart plan includes two new itineraries for Italian guests only, sailing to only Italian ports. Guests will only be allowed off the ship on organized shore excursions from Costa.

From September 6 to September 27, the Costa Deliziosa will depart every Sunday from Trieste, with calls in Bari and Brindisi in Puglia, Corigliano-Rossano in Calabria, Siracusa and Catania in Sicily.

On September 19, the Costa Diadema will leave from Genoa and call at Civitavecchia/Rome, Naples, Palermo, Cagliari and La Spezia.

“With the aim to allow guests to better enjoy their holidays while respecting the safety of guests, crew and local communities, the company has developed the Costa Safety Protocol for its fleet,” the company announced. “The Costa Safety protocol is a comprehensive set of measures and procedures in response to the COVID-19 situation, relating to all aspects of the cruise experience, both onboard and ashore. Supported by a panel of independent scientific experts in Public Health, the Costa Safety Protocol is consistent with the health protocols defined by the Italian Government and European (EU Healthy Gateways) authorities. The protocol will be constantly updated based on the evolution of the scenario and medical knowledge.”

Flooding closes Venice to cruise ships

Posted on 20 November, 2019 by Spacejunkie2

Near-record flooding has temporarily closed Venice to cruise passengers.

Cruises that had been scheduled to stop in Venice have been rerouted to Trieste or Ravenna, CLIA Europe spokesman Martyn Griffiths said.

Tides six feet above normal have left many parts of Venice underwater, beached water taxis and boats along the quays, and damaged many tourism businesses and sites.

Cruise calls were rerouted at the request of the operators of the cruise terminal in Venice, Griffiths said. The terminal is open and being used as a transfer point for passengers if needed. For the moment, it is also being used as a shelter for Venice residents displaced by the flooding.

No ships are expected to call in Venice before Nov. 21, Griffiths said.