MSC Cruises has updated its travel requirements for the upcoming winter season. The cruise line will now require all guests to be fully vaccinted or provide a negative test result and have a COVID-19 insurance policy.
For the upcoming winter season MSC Cruises has worked with the authorities in all of the regions and countries in which the ships will operate to ensure its health and safety protocol meets and exceeds the required health and safety measures.
As a result MSC Cruises will require guests to provide relevant documentation at embarkation in line with the travel requirements such as a negative test result, proof of vaccination and COVID insurance documentation.
Where proof of vaccination is required, this applies to guests aged 12 years and above with a complete set of vaccine shots received more than 14 days before the start of the cruise, with one of the approved vaccinations accepted by the authorities in the different regions. For guests aged from two years to 11 years inclusive proof of a negative RT-PCR test will be needed.
Many of the destinations that MSC Cruises ships will call require guests to have a COVID-19 insurance policy. As such MSC Cruises will require this as a mandatory requirement for all guests. The insurance needs to cover against COVID-19 related risks, i.e. cancellation, interruption, repatriation expenses, quarantine, medical assistance and related expenses, as well as hospitalization and it is important that this includes coverage in the case of being a close contact.
Fully vaccinated guests will be able to go ashore independently according to the requirements of the countries they will visit. Guests who are not fully vaccinated, or who have children in their travelling party, will need to go ashore with an MSC Cruises protected shore excursion.
To enable guests to return home in compliance with the various national regulations, it will be possible to purchase and perform an RT-PCR or an antigen test during the cruise if this is required for them to return to their home country. This service is booked and paid for on board and is organised through the Medical Centre.
Overview of requirements for regions where MSC Cruises will operate
Mediterranean
Vaccinated and not-fully vaccinated guests from Schengen countries will either need to have a negative antigen or RT-PCR test taken with 48 hours of departure or be fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19 within the last 6 months.
Non-Schengen guests will need to be fully vaccinated as well as providing a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of their cruise departure.
Guests can only go ashore when participating in an MSC Shore Excursion and some excursions will require an official COVID certificate (e.g. EU Digital COVID certificate) to access some tourist venues such a museums or churches.
Northern Europe
All guests 12 years and above need to be fully vaccinated and guests aged from 2 years to 11 years old will need need to provide proof of a negative RT-PCR test or antigen taken within 48 hours of their cruise departure.
Non-Schengen guests will need to be fully vaccinated as well as providing a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of their cruise departure.
Red Sea/Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates
All guests 12 years and above need to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of their cruise departure. Guests aged from 2 years to 11 years old will need need to provide proof of a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of their cruise departure.
For MSC Bellissima cruises in the Red Sea, a visa is required for entry into Saudi Arabia and Guests who purchase an MSC fly & cruise package will have a visa for Saudi Arabia valued at €30 per person included in the overall cost. Guests need to register their vaccination status with the authorities from Saudi Arabia prior to arriving in the country.
Caribbean – cruises out of Miami and Port Canaveral
All guests 12 years and above need to be fully vaccinated. All guests will need to provide proof of a negative antigen or RT-PCR test. For residents of the U.S. the antigen or RT-PCR test needs to be taken within 48 hours of their cruise departure. Non-residents of the U.S will need to take the antigen or RT-PCR test within 72 hours of their cruise departure. All guests aged from 2 to 11 years will need to provide proof of a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of their cruise departure.
Southern Caribbean
All guests 12 years and above need to be fully vaccinated and will need to provide proof of a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of their cruise departure. All guests aged from 2 to 11 years will need to provide proof of a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of their cruise departure.
Grand Voyages
All guests 12 years and above need to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of an RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of their cruise departure and guests aged from 2 to 11 years will need to provide proof of a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of their cruise departure.
Full details can be found on the website of MSC Cruises.