EUROPE. MSC Cruises is preparing for a potential restart this summer in the Mediterranean, according to Head of Retail Adrian Pittaway.
“So, whilst awaiting the necessary final approvals, two MSC Cruises ships are making preparations to re-enter service for our guests – flagship MSC Grandiosa in the west Mediterranean and popular ship MSC Magnifica in the east Mediterranean,” Pittaway said in a note to business partners.
He said that MSC Cruises has been working closely with the different authorities in the countries where the company’s ships will call to develop a comprehensive protocol above the required level of many authorities.
“MSC Retailing on board our ships has enhanced the guest experience to be one that is safe, welcoming and fully adapted to the current situation,” he continued. “Through our restart, we will continue to focus on providing a memorable shopping experience to our guests with warm and friendly service, expert advice and the widest range of products on offer at the best prices.”
In line with the new standards in place across MSC ships, the travel retailer has significantly adapted its own processes to ensure an enhanced level of safety. “We have created best-in-class protocols from Duty Free World Council (DFWC) guidelines, retail specific advice from experts at Aspen Medical Consulting, safe product care guidelines from our brand partners, and suggestions from across our experienced retail, hotel and medical teams,” Pittaway said.
“From all of these inputs, we have developed a framework which we truly believe will be market-leading in the cruise retail sector. We will be using the new and innovative technology of our smart ships to ensure appropriate social distancing, deliver impactful digital communication and implement clear safety guidelines.
“In addition, we have re-invented our event programme, stock-handling processes and service experience, as well as enhancing our crew shopping facilities and product ranges. We will also ensure that as more of our fleet returns to service, our guests will continue to receive the same high standards of service and safety on board all our ships.”
The new measures — which include universal COVID-19 testing for all guests and crew, social-distancing and elevated cleaning protocols, protected ashore visits and the introduction of a COVID-19 Protection Plan — go beyond the regional and national guidelines. They have also been verified by independent maritime certification corporation RINA as meeting the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) standard.
Other measures include the use of guest-centric technology such as the MSC for Me App, which can be used by passengers to manage their onboard activities. Crew members will also be provided with complimentary MSC for Me wristbands to facilitate contactless payments and contact tracing onboard.
Pittaway said that after MSC returns its first two ships back into service, he and his team look forward to sharing their experiences with the wider travel retail and cruise retail community in order to help foster industry-wide best practice for new normal cruise retail operations.
As reported, MSC Cruises has set up a cross-functional task force comprised of in-house experts in medical services, public health, sanitation, hotel services, information technology and logistics to safely prepare for a return to service.
The company has also partnered with world-renowned medical consultancy agency Aspen Medical to form a ‘Blue Ribbon COVID Expert Group’ to further assist in the development and implementation of enhanced health and safety protocols onboard its fleet.
The MSC Cruises Blue Ribbon COVID Expert Group comprises of… • University of Thessaly School of Health Sciences Vice President Professor Christakis Hadjichristodoulou |
*MSC Cruises Head of Retail Adrian Pittaway is a speaker at the inaugural Moodie Davitt Virtual Travel Retail Expo from 12 to 16 October, Click here to register.
