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5 large cruise ships will have resumed operations in the Mediterranean by October 19th as MSC and Costa continue to set standard for the entire cruising industry.
While the U.S. cruising sits idle after the CDC extended its no sail order, cruising in the Mediterranean is moving full steam ahead.
As of October 19th, MSC Cruises will have 2 ships back in operation, the MSC Grandiosa and the MSC Magnifica.
Starting on October 10th, Costa Cruises will become the first cruise line to have 3 large ships back in operation when the Costa Smeralda resumes operations joining the Costa Deliziosa and the Costa Diadema who have already completed their first successful cruises.
MSC Adds Second Ship After Successful Relaunch
After the successful relaunch of the MSC Grandiosa completing 5 cruises without a single reported case of COVID-19, MSC Cruises will add the MSC Magnifica beginning on October 19th in the Mediterranean.
At this time the MSC cruises in the Med are only open to guests who are residents in Schengen countries only.
How MSC Cruises Has Kept Its Ships COVID-19 Free
MSC has very strict health and safety protocols that has allowed the cruise line to successfully resume its operations including COVID-19 testing, protected shore excursions, onboard sanitation and health screenings.
Cruise Ship COVID-19 Requirements For MSC Cruises Passengers:
- Guests coming from high risk countries will be required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR swab test performed no more than 72 hours before arriving at the ship.
- All guests will be tested for COVID-19 using a PCR swab test at the terminal before boarding the ship.
(High risk countries that have proof of a negative test will be tested again.)
- Guests will have temperature checked before entering the terminal.
- Guest will fill out a health questionnaire.
- All shore excursions are protected and controlled with passengers not allowed to go on their own.
- Daily temperature checks
- Guests are encouraged to use face masks in all social areas of the ship.
- Social distancing protocols.
- All guests that go ashore in Malta or Greece will have another PCR swab test performed before disembarking back in Italy.
Costa Cruises Adds Third Ship After Successful Relaunch
Costa Cruises which was the first cruise line to have two large cruise ships resume operations is now adding a third.
The Costa Smeralda will join the Costa Deliziosa and the Costa Diadema back at sea.
The Costa Smeralda will operate five cruises that are scheduled from October 10 to November 7 with port stops in Savona (homeport), La Spezia, Cagliari, Naples, Messina and Tarquinia.
On Nov. 14, the Costa Smeralda is scheduled to resume a 7 day sailing itinerary in Italy, France and Spain, departing from Savona.
How Costa Cruises Has Kept Its Ships COVID-19 Free
Costa Cruises health and safety protocols are almost identical to MSC with the exception of face masks. On MSC guest should use face masks in public areas. On Costa, guests must use face masks in all public areas.
Cruise Ship COVID-19 Requirements For Costa Cruises Passengers:
- Guests coming from high risk countries will be required to present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR swab test performed no more than 72 hours before arriving at the ship.
- All guests will be tested for COVID-19 using a PCR swab test at the terminal before boarding the ship.
(High risk countries that have proof of a negative test will be tested again.)
- Guests will have temperature checked before entering the terminal.
- Guest will fill out a health questionnaire 72 hours online before arrival
- All shore excursions are protected and controlled with passengers not allowed to go on their own.
- Daily temperature checks
- Face masks are mandatory in all public areas on the ship.
- social distancing protocols.
“To make you experience an unforgettable holiday in complete serenity, our health and safety team and a group of independent scientific experts have developed the Costa Safety Protocol. Furthermore, we are the first cruise company to have obtained the Biosafety Trust Certification from Rina and we carefully follow the safety instructions of the Cruise Lines International Association,” stated on their official company website.
Cruising appears to be safely moving full steam ahead in the Mediterranean regardless of a second wave of COVID-19, while leaving the U.S. cruise industry far behind in its wake.
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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories