The MSC Grandiosa was the first MSC ship to cast off on a cruise post-COVID-19, taking on passengers at the port of Genoa on Sunday (August 16).
A press release from MSC says passengers arrived at the cruise terminal according to allocated time slots and followed the new universal screening procedures in accordance with the company’s own health and safety protocols. These include a temperature check, a medical review of a health questionnaire and an antigen COVID-19 swab test for every guest prior to boarding.
After completing these steps and having received the results of the test while in the terminal, guests who were fit to travel then embarked according to the procedures, which include sanitisation of hand and hold luggage.
Guests received a complimentary ‘MSC for Me’ wristband, providing them with a contactless option for opening their cabin door and making payments. The wristbands will also facilitate proximity and contact tracing if needed.
The initial phase of the restart will see two MSC Cruises ships operating in the Mediterranean. The second vessel is the MSC Magnifica which will sail in the Eastern Mediterranean, receiving only guests who are residents of Schengen countries for the current summer season.
