MSC Cruises has suspended sailings by MSC Magnifica in the Mediterranean following new Covid travel curbs in the source markets of France and Germany.
The temporary suspension will affect sailings from November 8 until December 18.
France and Germany are two key source markets for the ship’s 10-night cruises calling in Italy, Greece and Malta.
The line cited “the prevailing pandemic situation in France and Germany with significant travel restrictions affecting guests from these markets”.
MSC Cruises has also been forced to cancel its 2021 world cruise by MSC Magnifica “in connection with the health situation ashore and in particular the continued unavailability of the majority of ports along the proposed itinerary”.
However, flagship MSC Grandiosa will continue and extend its current seven-night western Med sailings from Italy until March 27, 2021.
MSC Grandiosa operate with new measures under the company’s health and safety operating protocols, including:
· Additional onboard testing for all passengers mid-way through the cruise in addition to existing pre-boarding universal testing
· Increased testing of all crew during their time on board from twice-a-month to weekly
· Increased frequency of onboard sanitation, in particular of public areas and high touch points
· Tightening of the definition of close contact for tracing purposes, reducing the time that individuals are in contact from 15 minutes to 10 minutes
MSC Magnifica resumes sailing on December 18 with a one-off eight-night Christmas cruise before returning to its 10-night itinerary until the end of April.