MSC Cruises announces restart plans from U.S. in August
3 min read
NEWS + 7 PHOTOS: MSC Cruises announced its restart plans for cruising from U.S. ports beginning this August. The announcement follows CDC approval of the company’s Phase 2A Port Agreements for Port Miami and Port Canaveral as well as the provisional approval of its request to conduct a simulation cruise, to be held on MSC Meraviglia from Miami on July 17, 2021.
MSC Meraviglia will kick off MSC Cruises’ restart starting August 2, 2021, with 3- and 4-night cruises from Miami to the Bahamas and featuring MSC Cruises’ exclusive new private island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Then, starting September 18, 2021, MSC Meraviglia will add 7-night cruises from Miami to Bahamas and Caribbean, including Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
MSC Divina will resume cruising from Orlando (Port Canaveral) on September 16, 2021, offering 3-, 4- and 7-night cruise options from to Bahamas and Caribbean, also including stops at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
“With our vast experience cruising in Europe since August 2020 along with our industry-leading health and safety protocol, our U.S. guests can book with confidence knowing we are well prepared for a successful restart in that market,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises.
“To ensure the safest experience for our guests, we previously announced a fleet-wide vaccination program for all crew, and we expect that the majority of our guests booking a cruise this summer will plan to be vaccinated prior to sail. The rapid distribution of vaccines in the U.S. has been a positive step toward helping vacationers get back to traveling, and we encourage our guests to take advantage of this added layer of protection when resuming travel this summer.”
MSC Cruises will reveal additional itinerary details for cruises on board MSC Meraviglia and MSC Divina in the coming week, as well as health and safety measures and guidelines for guests. Cruises will welcome both vaccinated and non-vaccinated guests.
Those who are not vaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be subject to requirements such as additional testing, as well as restrictions, which will be announced at a later date. Details of the current health and safety protocol can be found on their website at http://www.msccruisesusa.com/health-and-safety.
MSC Cruises is also confirming the cancellation of existing U.S.-based sailings.
The decision will affect the schedules of three ships based in Florida: MSC Divina scheduled to sail from Port Canaveral, and MSC Meraviglia and MSC Armonia scheduled to sail from Port Miami, as follows:
Cruises onboard MSC Divina from July 1, 2021 through to and including September 15, 2021
Cruises onboard MSC Meraviglia from July 1, 2021 through to and including September 17, 2021
Cruises onboard MSC Armonia from July 1, 2021 through to and including October 24, 2021
MSC Cruises’ new itineraries from the U.S. on board MSC Meraviglia and MSC Divina will open for U.S. bookings on June 16, 2021.
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