MSC Cruises has announced a fleet-wide COVID-19 vaccination program for all crew members. The program has already started on Friday on the cruise ship MSC Bellissima with Captain Giuseppe Maresca and all crew members on the ship completing their vaccination, reports Cruise Industry News. Next to follow will be the crew on board MSC Virtuosa, which will be fully vaccinated ahead of the ship’s maiden voyage on May 20, cruising around the UK out of Southampton.

In this initial phase, MSC Cruises will prioritize crew vaccination on its 10 cruise ships set to sail this summer in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, and those scheduled to restart in the Caribbean as well as others that are preparing for their restart. 

MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato, said, “As our ships prepare to welcome more and more guests over the coming weeks and months, we are pleased to announce the start of a comprehensive plan of vaccinations for all of our crew. Our aim is of adding a further level of protection for both themselves and the guests they will welcome for their holidays as we lead the way in the industry’s restart this summer.

“Our health and safety protocol last year spearheaded a safe resumption of cruising in the global industry and our huge vaccination program for all of our crew further demonstrates our commitment to their wellbeing, of our guests and of the communities that our fleet of ships will visit in the months ahead.

“We focused and invested heavily in a health and safety protocol last year and worked relentlessly to engage and gain approval from a range of authorities to return to cruising safely and responsibly. Similarly, we have taken this approach to vaccinations for our crew – plan, prepare and perform.”