Questions

• • Are there any travel restrictions under the new protocol, such as past medical history, current health status, age or nationality?

    All guests must be healthy and physically fit for travel. At the time of booking and before boarding, all guests will complete a health questionnaire and present this in-person at embarkation as well as undergo a contactless temperature check in the terminal. ​
    Depending on the screening results, guests may participate in a secondary review with medical professionals or be denied boarding and directed to our Customer Care Service.​
    Currently, there are no restrictions based on age or nationality. We are closely monitoring the global health situation, and in case of changes to current travel requirements, we will update our booking conditions and inform our guests with existing reservations in a timely fashion.​

  • Will future cruises be just for members of the same family or household? Will groups of friends be allowed on board as well?

    In line with regulations ashore, we can welcome groups of friends on board as well as families, travelling together as a “social bubble”. Guests are invited to confirm at the time of booking any family members or friends that they will be travelling with (if not included in the same reservation) so we can make seating dining arrangements once onboard. ​

• • Do guests need to provide any medical documents to show that they are COVID-19 negative at embarkation?

    All guests must complete a health questionnaire and report any symptoms of illness or potential exposure to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to embarkation. ​

  • What will happen if embarkation is denied to a guest for health reasons?

    If a guest presents symptoms of illness such as temperature higher than 37.5°C / 99.5°F or there are concerns with their health questionnaire, they will undertake a secondary screening, including in-depth interview, a second temperature measurement, a medical examination and, if necessary, a laboratory examination.​
    If a guest is then not considered fit to travel, they will be assisted in their next steps of a return home or will be potentially being treated in a local medical facility to ensure maximum support and care.​

  • What safety protocols will be implemented on transfers and shuttles?

    We are extending our enhanced health and hygiene measures to all MSC transfers, including:​
    - Cleaning and sanitisation of all vehicles before any new group of guests ​
    - Availability of hand sanitisation stations and disinfectant mats for footwear​
    - Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for all drivers​
    - Reduced number of guests with selected seats empty to ensure social distancing​

  • How are you cleaning and sanitising the guest cabins?

    According to our enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols, every guest cabin will be thoroughly cleaned on a daily basis, with special attention to 40 frequently-touched areas, such as door handles, power switches, control panels, remote controls, desks and bathroom surfaces.​
    Every cabin will be deep cleaned at the end of each cruise before the next guests arrive for their holiday.​

  • How often are you sanitising public areas?

    All public areas and public restrooms will be deep cleaned and sprayed with disinfectant each night, as well as regularly sanitised throughout the day.  For example, public toilets will be cleaned every 20 minutes, and all cleaning staff will wear appropriate PPE.​

  • What measures are you taking for the disembarkation process at the end of a cruise?

    To ensure that all guests are disembarked safely and efficiently, we are providing detailed, step-by-step information, allocated time slots and a complimentary face mask for their journey home. ​
    All luggage will be sanitised before departure and staff wearing appropriate protective equipment will direct guests to avoid congestions at the gangway.​
    Boarding for the next sailing will only commence once all guests have disembarked, avoiding any cross-over.​

• • What happens if there is a suspected case of COVID-19 on board?

    The preventative health and safety steps in the protocol are designed to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission on board. In the event that someone should fall sick, we have a fully equipped onboard 24/7 Medical Centre with highly qualified medical staff who are fully trained for COVID-19 treatment and who are supported by a 24/7 ashore medical team. ​
    In case of flu-like symptoms, guests should notify immediately the Medical Centre and free treatment will be provided. If the onboard medical team determines a suspected COVID-19 case, a comprehensive isolation procedure and response plan will be activated in close cooperation with the health authorities​.

  • Have you agreed with specific ports that they will welcome your ships that have positive cases on board for medical assistance ashore?

    Yes. As part of our comprehensive and enhanced health and safety protocol, we have a contingency response plan in place with all the relevant authorities in the ports where the ships will call. ​

  • Do you have certified COVID-19 tests on board your ships?

    We have COVID-19 testing equipment on board for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab testing and serological rapid testing for antibodies.

• • Will social distancing rules be applied onboard?

    We have redesigned activities, adapted our services and reduced venue capacity to ensure that our guests can easily adhere to current social distancing recommendations, both onboard and ashore. ​
    Guests will be reminded of social distancing guidelines at the time of booking and during their cruise through signage, public announcements, in-cabin TV and staff engagement.​

  • Will guests be required to wear a mask?

    Whenever social distancing cannot be met in public places such as in the lifts and the theatre, or when moving around the ship, guests will be asked to wear a face mask. Face masks do not need to be worn when seated in restaurants, bars and lounges, and when sitting on the sun deck. As with many of our health and safety measures, this is in line with those from ashore. Face masks will be available throughout the cruise either in the cabin or at points around the ship.  We also advise all guests to wear a face mask when travelling to and from the port and in the terminal, in compliance with local regulations.

• • How will the Main Dining experience change?

    Our main restaurants will continue to serve our guests with a wide array of inspiring dishes and high-quality cuisine. We are modifying the seating layout to enable safe physical distancing, and guests will have the same table and waiter throughout their cruise for extra peace of mind. ​
    We are elevating our strict food safety protocols by enhancing the cleaning and sanitising of all venues, providing appropriate protective equipment to all servers and increasing the number of hand sanitisation stations at all restaurants.​

    Face masks do not need to be worn by our guests when seated in the restaurants, but only when entering the venue.

  • Will Specialty Restaurants be open?

    Yes, our sought-after Specialty Restaurants will be open while operating at a reduced capacity to comply with the precautionary health and safety measures. Reservations are available at the time of booking to help guests secure spaces and save money compared to onboard prices.​

  • Will there be any changes to the bars and lounges?

    Our bars will be open and ready to serve our guests with their favourite cocktail or aperitif. To ensure we comply with the current social distancing recommendations, our staff will deliver drinks at the table and we will limit the capacity of each venue. Face masks do not need to be worn by our guests when seated in bars and lounges, but only when entering the venue.

• • Will guests still be able to enjoy the theatre shows and other activities?

    Guests will enjoy our onboard award-winning entertainment but with a few changes:​
     
    - We are reducing the capacity of the theatre to allow for empty seats between guests​
    - The entertainment programme will be extended so that all guests can enjoy our award-winning shows​
    - Shows and activities will be pre-booked to manage the number of participants​
    - Guests will be encouraged to wear a face mask when in the theatre ​

  • Will the Kids Club be open and what kind of kids’ activities will be available?

    Our Kids Club and family activities will welcome kids and parents in a healthy and safe environment while ensuring a fun and enjoyable experience.​
    New measures include reduced capacity, a streamlined registration process, contactless temperature check and hand sanitiser provided upon entry. We're adding new exciting activities and family game shows that will be available for booking up to one day in advance. Toys and water will be provided by our staff, while we'll keep out personal belongings as an additional safety measure.​

  • Will you still have Spa and Fitness services available to guests?

    All MSC Aurea Spa and Fitness facilities and services will be operated under our newly enhanced health and safety measures, including extended opening times, & reduced experiences / capacities where deemed necessary by local authorities.  For their health and comfort, guests will pre-book spa treatments, fitness sessions and thermal area visits by phone.

    
    Fitness machines and equipment, spa areas and treatment rooms will be thoroughly sanitised after each use as well as deep-cleaned and disinfected every night.
    All Spa staff have been trained on rigorous health and sanitation measures and will wear appropriate protective equipment.

  • Will guests be able to use the casino?

    The casino remains fully functional under the new protocol with added sanitation and social distancing measures in place, including frequent sanitising of chips, replacing playing cards on a regular basis and a reduced number of seats at gaming tables. ​

• • Will there be any restrictions to visit some ports?

    Guests will be able to go ashore independently according to local requirements which are continually monitored and subject to change. Guests who are travelling with unvaccinated children are also able to go ashore independently. For the best ashore experience, we recommend all guests explore destinations with the comfort, convenience, and safety of an MSC Cruises Shore Excursion, bookable pre-cruise and on board.

    
    

    MSC Cruises reserves the right not to admit on board any Guests who disembarked the ship on its own in breach of the above rules. When ashore, Guests are required to strictly adhere to the measures adopted by the tour guide and/or prescribed by the local Authorities.
    

    
    

    Cruises in the Mediterranean
    
    For cruises in the Mediterranean (prior to April 1, 2022) it will be possible to go ashore only by participating in one of MSC Shore Excursions to ensure the same high standards of health and safety ashore as on board.
    

    
    

    Starting from April 1, 2022 Guests will be able to go ashore independently according to local requirements which are continually monitored and subject to change. Guests who are travelling with unvaccinated children are also able to go ashore independently. For the best ashore experience, we recommend all guests explore destinations with the comfort, convenience, and safety of an MSC Cruises Shore Excursion, bookable pre-cruise and on board.
    

    
    

    Digital Covid Certificate/Green Pass regulations
    
    MSC Cruises offers a large variety of shore excursions. Some excursions are available only to Guests holding the EU Digital Covid Certificate/Green pass or, from extra Schengen countries Travelers, the equivalent COVID certificate, while other excursions are open to those not in its possession, guaranteeing in both cases the highest health and safety standards. More information about the tours are available here. Please note that Guests holding the EU Digital COVID Certificate/Green pass or the equivalent COVID certificate (for extra Schengen countries Travelers), travelling with children over 12 years who do not hold an EU Digital COVID Certificate/Green card or the equivalent COVID certificate (for extra Schengen countries Travelers), will be considered as Guests not holding the EU Digital COVID Certificate/Green pass or the equivalent COVID certificate (for extra Schengen countries Travelers), for excursions purposes: children will be requested to do the free covid test on board to participate to the excursion (or the booked excursion will need to be changed for another tour not requiring the green pass).
    
    The EU Digital COVID Certificate / Green Pass is a digital certificate with a QR code issued by countries in Europe to show the following:
    • The person has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, taken at least 14 days beforehand, using a vaccine recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA)
    • The person has recovered from COVID-19 within the last six months
    • Someone who has a negative result for a molecular or antigen test performed in the last 48 hours
    
    The copy of the EU Digital COVID Certificate/Green Pass or, from extra Schengen countries travelers the equivalent COVID certificate, (digital or paper format) and a personal ID or passport, must be shown during the tour at all required entry checks. This is a regulation coming from the local authorities and MSC Cruises is not responsible if access is denied at one of the venues on the selected tour.
    
    Every port of call offers also a variety of excursions that do not require the EU Digital COVID Certificate / Green Pass or, the equivalent COVID certificate (for extra Schengen countries travellers). Guests not in possession of a valid EU certificate can change excursion but availability is limited for some tours. Alternatively, Guests can contact the MSC Excursions office on board during the cruise: a free test will be arranged.