EUROPE. In encouraging news for the cruise industry, MSC Cruises has announced new and updated sailings in the Mediterranean and across Europe for the coming summer. The itineraries involve ten of its best-known cruise ships, and all are planned to set sail with passengers on or before 1 August.
Each will observe the company’s health and safety protocol, a comprehensive set of measures to ensure passenger safety, which were introduced on 20 August last year. They were brought forward in response to the COVID-19 crisis, which brought the cruise industry to a standstill.
The ships earmarked to carry passengers in the West Mediterranean are MSC Seaside, MSC Seashore and MSC Grandiosa, which returned to sailing in January. The East Mediterranean ships are MSC Orchestra, MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica.
Meanwhile, MSC Virtuosa will undertake a UK domestic cruise itinerary, and MSC Seaview, MSC Preziosa and MSC Musica will set sail from Germany, subject to German ports reopening for passenger sailings.
MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato, CEO said: “Today we have clarity on which European destinations and ports will initially be open this summer and we have fully reflected this into a first set of new and updated itineraries for the upcoming season so that guests can book their holidays with us with confidence.
“The entire MSC Cruises team and I look forward to welcoming both returning and new guests on board one of our ships that will be at sea this summer and to provide them with a memorable, relaxing and, above all, safe holiday.
“Plus, I am confident that in the coming weeks we will be able to further enrich some of these itineraries as well as add more ships with new ones, as more ports and tourist destinations, in particular in Spain and France, become available to receive ships and visitors.”
In announcing its European programme, MSC Cruises also confirmed the cancellation of its Caribbean sailings from ports in the USA up to and including 30 June.
