MSC Cruises Health & Safety Protocols

Your health and safety will always be MSC Cruises' top priority. In addition to the already rigorous attention to hygiene onboard all ships, MSC Cruises is taking additional steps to protect guests and crew to ensure that you are able to cruise with confidence on your next cruise vacation.

MSC is working together with leading international experts in the fields of Medicine, Public Health and related scientific disciplines to develop and validate health and safety measures. New operating procedures are designed to meet and exceed guidelines provided by national and international health authorities and will continue to be monitored in order to adapt them if required.

MSC Cruises' Pre-Cruise Health & Safety

Carefully selected itineraries
MSC constantly monitors the global health situation and stands prepared to modify itineraries when needed. MSC Cruises will call only in ports that local authorities and health organizations have cleared as safe and in full compliance with all local port and health authorities' regulations.

Travel Requirements
MSC Cruises will deny boarding in case of:

• Symptoms such as: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle/body aches, fatigue, headache, sore throat and loss of taste/smell in the 14 days prior to embarkation
• Potential exposure to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to embarkation
• Temporary travel restrictions based on local circumstances. For example, certain countries may deny visas or prohibit entry based on travel history or nationality.

MSC Cruises' Embarkation Health & Safety

Health screening
To ensure a safe and healthy environment on board, all guests will undergo comprehensive health and COVID-19 screenings before embarkation:

• Health questionnaire (provided with your cruise ticket)
• Touchless temperature check
• COVID-19 compatible signs or symptoms

Depending on the screening results, guests may participate in a secondary review (including in-depth interview, a second temperature measurement, a medical examination and if necessary, a laboratory examination) or be denied boarding.

Terminal and guest protocol
MSC Cruises has redesigned the embarkation process with assigned arrival times indicated in the cruise ticket to minimize contact and enable responsible social distancing.

• The terminal and gangway areas will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized according to the same high standards as onboard
• You will be asked to wear a face mask during embarkation and while in the terminal in compliance with local regulations
• All luggage will be sanitized prior to boarding
• Embarking and disembarking guests will use different walking paths.

MSC Cruises' Onboard Health & Safety

Elevated standards of sanitation and cleanliness
MSC Cruises has taken cleanliness and sanitation measures to the next level by implementing the highest standards of health and hygiene across the fleet:

• Increased cleaning and disinfection frequency, introducing new cleaning methods and the use of hospital-grade disinfectant products
• Key venues and public spaces are sanitized frequently, with a focus on high-traffic areas and deep disinfection every night through electrostatic spray technology
• Staterooms are meticulously cleaned on a daily basis, with careful attention to high-touch surfaces and additional deep cleaning at the end of each cruise
• All recreational and sporting equipment, fitness machines, sunbeds, outdoor furniture, toys, games and Kids Club equipment are sanitized after each use

One of the best ways to stay healthy is to keep your hands clean. Regular hand washing is recommended as well as the use of hand sanitizer before any activity and before entering venues. For your convenience, the availability of hand sanitizer dispensers around the ship has been increased.

Fresh air supply
100% external fresh air is supplied to all staterooms and public areas, with no re-circulation between staterooms or within the ship. Highly effective UV-C light technology will sanitixe the air, killing 99.97% of all microbes.

Enhanced medical services with highly qualified staff
All MSC Cruises' ships are equipped with state-of-the-art medical services and an increased number of qualified medical staff onboard, supported by dedicated 24/7 ashore Medical Team.

• Ships have a fully equipped Medical Center including COVID-19 testing equipment and ventilators
• Continuous monitoring of the health of guests and crew with contact-less temperature checks during the cruise; in case of flu-like symptoms, guests should immediately notify the Medical Center and free treatment will be provided
• Medical staff is trained to deal with COVID-19 with a response plan in place in cooperation with local authorities
• Comprehensive medical protocol to deal with suspected cases and dedicated isolation zones with separate air supply

Responsible social distancing
Redesigned activities, adapted services and reduced venue capacity ensure guests and crew can easily adhere to current social distancing guidelines. Whenever social distancing cannot be met in public places such as in the lifts, you will be asked to wear a face mask.

Well-trained, well-equipped and healthy crew
For the health of all guests and crew, MSC Cruises ensures that all crew members are fully trained and follow strict health and safety preventive measures:

• Crew members undergo extensive screening and medical checks including COVID-19 testing prior to embarking in addition to daily health monitoring and temperature checks
• Crew members follow proper hand-washing practices and wear protective equipment such as face masks and gloves.

Restaurants and bars
Adapted service and seating layouts allow for social distancing, and all meals and drinks will be served at your table. Self-service at the buffet restaurant will be temporarily unavailable, and the food will be plated and served by the crew. For a contact-less experience, you can access restaurant and bar menus from your personal mobile device by conveniently scanning a QR code.

Entertainment and activities
MSC is introducing newly designed onboard activities and entertainment for smaller group sizes. A wide array of activities including shows, entertainment and the Kids Club will be available by reservation at no extra charge. As the capacity of the theater will be reduced to ensure responsible social distancing, the entertainment schedule will be extended so you can still enjoy a great variety of award-winning shows.

Outdoor areas and pools
All open decks will be accessible and pools, whirlpools and the Aquapark will be available with a reduced occupancy for social distancing. Sunbeds will be separated in clusters, sanitized after every use and deeper sanitation will take place every night.