MSC Cruises to Resume Cruising in the U.S. This Summer
(Latest Update: June 17, 2021) MSC Cruises is the latest cruise line to officially announce that it will resume in the United States this summer. Starting in August, the line will sail two of its vessels from Florida ports. According to MSC Cruises, this restart follows the approval by the CDC of their Phase 2A Port Agreements for PortMiami and Port Canaveral, as well as an approval to conduct a simulation cruise, which will be held on MSC Meraviglia from PortMiami on July 17, 2021.
“After what has been a challenging period, we’re thrilled to say it’s finally time to cruise again. We are excited to be officially announcing our restart this summer from the U.S., and Florida in particular, as excitement is building for vacationers to get back to traveling and plan a much-deserved getaway,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises. “We want to thank our guests and partners, as well as Governor Ron DeSantis and the State of Florida, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Miami Dade County, PortMiami and Port Canaveral port officials. and the CDC for their strong support in bringing cruising back to the U.S. so we can get back to doing what we do best, providing our guests incredible and enriching vacations at sea.”
MSC Meraviglia will kick off the line’s restart on August 2, 2021, with 3- and 4-night cruises from PortMiami to the Bahamas, and will include a stop at the line’s new private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Starting September 18, 2021, MSC Meraviglia will add 7-night cruises from Miami to the Bahamas and Caribbean.
MSC Divina will resume cruising from Port Canaveral on September 16, 2021, offering 3-, 4- and 7-night cruise options from to the Bahamas and Caribbean, also stopping at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
MSC Cruises will welcome both vaccinated and non-vaccinated guests on these sailings. MSC has issued the following guidelines for vaccinated and non-vaccinated guests:
- MSC Meraviglia and MSC Divina will welcome guests who are both vaccinated and not fully vaccinated, with a multilayered approach in place for all guests.
- Guests who are not fully vaccinated will be required to purchase MSC Cruises’ Travel Insurance & COVID-19 Protection Services and will be subject to more stringent protocols on board. At the present, these include but are not limited to the required purchase of an MSC Cruises sponsored shore excursions in order to go ashore and required testing upon embarkation and while onboard.
- Additional health and safety measures include universal COVID-19 testing at embarkation for all guests, weekly testing of crew, physical distancing, mask-wearing, protected shore excursions for guests who are not fully vaccinated, and enhanced sanitation measures and personal hygiene recommendations, such as increased hand-washing and sanitizing stations.
- Fully vaccinated guests will receive MSC Cruises COVID-19 Reassurance protection at no charge, whereas guests who are not fully vaccinated will be required to purchase MSC Cruises Travel Insurance & COVID Protection Services insurance prior to the cruise.
- Guests are highly encouraged to be fully vaccinated prior to cruises with MSC Cruises; not fully vaccinated guests will need to undergo several additional requirements.
“With our vast experience cruising in Europe since August 2020 along with our industry-leading health and safety protocol, our guests can book with confidence knowing we are well prepared for a successful restart in the U.S.,” said Rubén Rodriguez, president of MSC Cruises USA. “To ensure the safest experience for our guests, we previously announced a fleet-wide vaccination program for all crew — thanks to the support of The State of Florida, local government and port officials, and our partners,— 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.”With this announcement, the line has canceled the following existing U.S.-based sailings: Cruises onboard MSC Divina from July 1, 2021 - September 15, 2021; Cruises onboard MSC Meraviglia from July 1, 2021 - September 17, 2021; Cruises onboard MSC Armonia from July 1, 2021 - October 24, 2021.
Bookings for these new sailings on MSC Meraviglia and MSC Divina are currently on sale.
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