MSC Cruises will offer 50% discounts to healthcare professionals to thank them for their “ongoing contribution to fight the global pandemic”.
Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman, said: “As a family-owned company we think it’s only right and proper to find a way to express our heartfelt ‘thank you’ to each and every healthcare professional around the world – as well as their families – for their selfless and tireless dedication, professionalism and bravery in tackling the current global pandemic.
“To all of them, NHS and private health care staff. Front-line and back-office workers, doctors, nurses, pharmacists those who work in research laboratories, and in fact everyone who is a health worker, at all levels.
“Their work and dedication have also helped to pave the way for our new health and safety operating protocol which was recently implemented successfully when our flagship MSC Grandiosa was the first ship from our fleet to return to welcome guests at sea in the west Mediterranean.”
He said the cruise line has worked with medical experts “around the clock” for the past five months to draw up a healthcare protocol for its ships, ports and destinations.
“The backbone of our protocol is down to the new data, research into Covid-19 and improved understanding of the virus that worldwide healthcare professionals have established during the pandemic and we want to thank them for their selfless and tireless work,” he added.
“We very much look forward to welcoming them on board whenever they are ready for a much-deserved holiday. And we will also welcome their feedback to improve further our protocol as they will witness it first hand while on board.”
The ‘thank you’ discounted cruise fare programme for healthcare professionals and their immediate families will go on sale on Monday (August 31) and will be available on all MSC Cruises sailings through to the end of 2021.
The special fares will be available to healthcare workers booking through travel agents and MSC Cruises contact centres.
MSC Cruises resumed sailing on August 16 when MSC Grandiosa (pictured) departed from the Italian port of Genoa for a seven-night Mediterranean cruise.