Cruising is on the rebound in Europe. But the Cayman Islands have extended their border closure until October 1. A rather mixed bag for my Future of Travel report for August 10.
Cayman Islands Extends Border Closing
The Cayman Islands Government has announced that having continually monitored the rate of infection in other countries, particularly in the United States where the pandemic is still widespread, Cabinet has taken the decision to extend the Islands border closure for an additional 30 days, until 1st October 2020, at which time a further decision will be made.
During this time, repatriation flights by Cayman Airways will continue to operate on an ad hoc basis and the air bridge between the UK and the Cayman Islands will also remain open, as this provides a vitally important link between the two countries.
The Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa on Grand Cayman. JIM BYERS PHOTO
A tough decision for folks in the tourism business, but I can’t say I blame the government for the decision.
Cruising Rebound in Europe
MSC Cruises announced today that flagship MSC Grandiosa and MSC Magnifica will resume operations in the Mediterranean starting from August 16 and 29, respectively, offering guests full-experience cruise holidays with the opportunity to discover five different destinations during a seven-night cruise. The two ships will be the first to implement a new comprehensive health and safety protocol that has been approved by the relevant national authorities from the countries that the ships will call along their East and West Mediterranean itineraries this summer.
Gene Sloan of The Points Guy says that Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte late Friday relaxed coronavirus-related restrictions on cruise ship operations in Italy, effective Aug. 15.
The move will allow Europe’s two biggest cruise lines, MSC and Costa Cruises, to resume limited sailings out of Italy in the coming weeks, he said.
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman commented, “During the pause in our operations we focused on developing a comprehensive operating protocol that builds upon already stringent health and safety measures that have long been in place on board our ships. We have worked closely with the relevant EU-level, national health and other authorities from the countries that MSC Grandiosa and MSC Magnifica will call along their Mediterranean itineraries to develop a comprehensive set of procedures designed to protect the health and safety of all passengers on board our ships as well as ashore to ensure that local communities feel comfortable welcoming our guests.
“The new procedures include universal COVID-19 testing for all guests and crew prior to embarkation, protected ashore visits at each destination only with an MSC Cruises excursion as an added level of protection for our guests and the introduction of a COVID-19 Protection Plan for further peace of mind for our guests. With all of these measures in place, we aim to offer our guests the safest possible holiday.”
MSC Grandiosa, the Company’s flagship, will offer seven-night cruises in the Western Mediterranean calling at the Italian ports of Genoa, Civitavecchia/Rome, Naples, Palermo and Valetta. MSC Magnifica will offer seven-night cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean departing from the Italian ports of Bari and Trieste, calling at the Greek ports of Corfu, Katakolon and Piraeus.
The Eternal City of Rome. JIM BYERS PHOTO
MSC Cruises’ new operating protocol has been designed to protect the health and safety of guests, crew as well as the local communities that the Company’s ships visit. For this reason, it meets and goes beyond guidelines provided by key international and regional regulatory and technical bodies, as well as regulations set forth by the governments in the countries in which MSC Cruises ships operate. Additionally, RINA, the independent maritime certification corporation, has verified that the protocol meets the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) Guidance, which incorporates additional health standards including those from the EU Healthy Gateways Joint Action. MSC Cruises has worked to encompass every aspect of the guest’s journey from the moment of booking to embarkation, life on board and through to the return back home, whilst preserving the uniqueness of the guest experience.
MSC officials said that, for this initial phase of the restart of operations, the two MSC Cruises ships operating in the Mediterranean for the current summer season will initially only welcome guests who are residents in Schengen countries, meaning most of Europe but not Canadians or Americans. Additionally, their itineraries have been designed according to the accessibility of the ports, reducing where possible, the need for guests to use public transport or flights and have been planned in conjunction with the authorities.
MSC Cruises has today cancelled all other cruises in the Mediterranean from August 16 through to and including October 31. Guests who are resident in Schengen countries, and subject to any restrictions imposed by the Italian authorities, booked on any MSC Cruises itinerary until October 31 can transfer their booking to either MSC Grandiosa or MSC Magnifica, receiving up to three complimentary shore excursions, depending on the category they book; alternatively, they will be offered a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) that they can use on any ship with any itinerary in the MSC Cruises fleet sailing through to December 2021. Also, any other guests who are resident in Schengen countries, and subject to any restrictions imposed by the Italian authorities, who already have an FCC voucher from previous cancelled cruises can also use their voucher on these two ships taking advantage of up to three complimentary shore excursions.
For non-Schengen residents, they will automatically be eligible for an FCC plus that can be used to transfer any such bookings at no cost, to any ship with any itinerary in the MSC Cruises fleet sailing through to December 2021.
MSC Cruises also announced the cancellation of all U.S cruise departures up to and including October 31 and this is in line with the announcement that CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) members will voluntarily extend the suspension of cruise operations to this date. CLIA stated that “This proactive action further demonstrates the cruise industry’s commitment to public health and willingness to voluntarily suspend operations in the interest of public health and safety, as has occurred twice prior.” MSC Cruises will restart operations in the U.S only when the time is right, following approval by the CDC and other relevant authorities across the region in observance of their requirements and guidelines.
Finally, MSC Cruises also cancelled the Far East cruises from September 10 through to and including October 26.
Guests booked through MSC Cruises Canada on Mediterranean sailings between August 16 and October 31, Caribbean sailings between October 1 and October 31 and impacted Far East cruises through October 26, will receive a 125% Future Cruise Credit of the original cruise fare to be used on a sailing on or before December 31, 2021. Guests booked through a Canadian tour operator should contact them directly as their terms may vary.
