MSC Cruises has announced an update to its health and safety protocols for United States residents on voyages departing from US ports to the Caribbean and Bahamas. Beginning September 1, the line will relax its COVID-19 testing and vaccination protocols for US residents. Protocols remain unchanged for non-US residents. Here are the details:
US Residents:
A Coast Guard aircrew evacuated a crew member from the cruise ship MSC Seaside while the vessel was sailing 30 miles from Capo Teulada, Italy.
According to reports, an Indian sailor needed urgent medical attention on land, and the captain alerted the Port Authority in Cagliari requesting an emergency medical evacuation.
MSC Sesacape, the newest, and most technologically advanced cruise ship in MSC Cruises fleet, has successfully completed the first intensive navigation tests and is ready to take on the role of flagship. She is the fourth unit of the Seaside class and the second Seaside Evo built in Italy by Fincantieri shipyards.
MSC Cruises has announced some changes for the winter 2022-2023 cruise season. MSC Virtuosa will replace MSC Preziosa in Hamburg and take over cruises to Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre and Southampton.
Sailing starts on Sundays at the Steinwerder Cruise Center in Hamburg. Meanwhile, MSC Virtuosa will sail the metropolitan route in direct competition with AIDAprima.
Effective August 8, MSC Cruises will have a revised health protocol for sailings departing from US ports. This update is based on changes in the health and safety requirements of the US National Health Service (CDC). MSC Cruises currently has two ships based in the USA: the MSC Seashore in Miami and the MSC Divina in Port Canaveral.
MSC Sinfonia crew are once again allowed shore leave in ports the ship is visiting. In an announcement posted on the crew board the ship commander, Captain Massimiliano Rossi informed its crew about the lifting of the restriction:
Shortly after the entire MSC Cruises fleet celebrated its return to the sea, the reintroduction of the popular gala night was announced today. From special dining experiences and special shows to photo shoots and parties, guests of all ages can look forward to the return of the most extravagant night of the cruise.
MSC Cruises and the French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlanticue celebrated two milestones over the weekend for the first two MSC liquefied natural gas vessels. MSC World Europe has completed its first set of tests at sea, which included testing engine performance, as well as assessing maneuverability, fuel consumption, safety systems, speed and stopping distance.
MSC Sinfonia crew members are facing restrictions after the number of positive Covid-19 cases among the ship’s employees has increased. The ship has implemented additional health and safety protocols on board in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus after last week's swab results overreached 4% of the crew members that tested positive for Covid. Some privileges have been immediately revoked till the number of positive csses will be reduced.
A crew member, together with about 40 shipboard employees who tested positive aboard MSC Meraviglia, reports that they have been transferred to a Covid hotel in Genoa, Italy. The crew member said that MSC Cruises has restored the policy to disembark crew towards land facilities in order to contain the number of positive cases on board within limits that can be acceptable by different port health authorities.
