MSC Cruises has announced the health and safety protocols for the upcoming Brazilian cruise season. which will start with the MSC Preziosa on November 5, sailing from Santos. By the end of this year, two more MSC Cruises ships will arrive in Brazil, MSC Splendida, MSC Seaside. MSC cruise ships will sail with reduced guests capacity to 75%, fully vaccinated crew and guests age 12 or older.

“We are very happy and look forward to welcoming Brazilian guests on board our ships again, after 20 months, for their well-deserved vacation and to have special moments with their families and friends. It will be a very exciting time for us,” said Adrian Ursilli, general director of MSC Cruises in Brazil. "We have already resumed our operations in various parts of the world, more than a year ago, and we will bring this knowledge and experience to our travels in the country."

Before boarding guests need to show a digital certificate and proof of vaccination with an approved vaccine in Brazil or validated by WHO. All guests 2 years and older will need to have a negative RT-PCR test done within 72 hours or antigen test done within 24 hours prior to departure. All guests will be required to present a travel insurance policy with coverage for Covid-19. Screening of guests through a form containing information about the traveler's health conditions. The form must be completed by guests within 6 hours prior to boarding and delivered to the MSC Cruises team at the port terminal. Enhanced boarding procedure with digital check-in processes and staggered and pre-defined arrival times at the port to manage the flow of guests.

During the cruise additional health and safety measures will be implemented including:

• Use of face masks in public areas.
• Indoor spaces and public environments such as theater, lounges, casino, restaurants, kids clubs with reduced capacity.
• Redesigned onboard activities for smaller groups and with prior reservation.
• Meals and drinks in the restaurants, bars and lounges will be served to guests at their tables. The buffet restaurant will offer a new concept of service and a new flow of guests to ensure social distance. Instead of self-service, guests will select what they want and the food will be served on the plate and delivered to them to be taken to the table. For a contactless experience, guests will be able to access restaurant and bar menus on their personal mobile devices by scanning a QR code.
• Continuous monitoring with daily testing of 10% of passengers on board and 10% of the crew.
• Trained and equipped crew to service, support and guide guests on board.
• The entire crew will have the complete Covid-19 vaccination cycle and will be tested weekly.
• 100% fresh air without recirculation and even higher cleaning measures, supported by the use of hospital-grade disinfectant products.
• New Information Center, accessible by phone, that will allow guests to call Customer Service for information rather than having to go to the service desk in person.
• Independent disembarkation of guests at destinations, following the protocol defined and approved by each city in its local operational plan.
• Guests who opt for a shore excursion organized by MSC Cruises will have professional monitoring and supervision and will be followed by the same high standard of protocol applied on board.
• Improved medical facilities and services, with highly qualified and trained staff.
• Dedicated booths, in a restricted area, made available to allow the isolation of any suspected cases and close contacts.
• Contingency plan ready to be applied if a suspected case is identified, in close cooperation with health authorities.