MSC CRUISES RELAXES PROTOCOLS FOR U.S. GUESTS ABOARD SAILINGS DEPARTING FROM U.S. PORTS TO THE CARIBBEAN AND THE BAHAMAS

Fort Lauderdale, Fl. – August 29, 2022 – MSC Cruises, the world’s third largest and fastest-growing cruise brand, will update health and safety protocols for U.S. residents on cruises departing from U.S. ports to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. The cruise line will relax COVID-19 testing and vaccination requirements for U.S. residents on sailings beginning September 1, in line with public health guidelines in its home ports and destinations. While no longer required, MSC Cruises still recommends all U.S. residents be fully vaccinated and tested prior to sailing. Requirements for non-U.S. residents remain unchanged.

Updated guidelines for MSC Cruises’ sailings departing from U.S. ports to the Caribbean and the Bahamas on or after September 1 include:

U.S. Residents:

• Vaccination is recommended but no longer required.
• Pre-cruise testing is recommended, but not required for travelers who are fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated guests are still required to show proof of vaccination at embarkation.
• Unvaccinated guests are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test (NAAT or antigen) taken within 3 days of embarkation.
• Guests under the age of 2 are exempt from testing requirements.

Non-U.S. Residents:

• Full vaccination is required for guests 12 years and older.
• Regardless of vaccination status, guests 2 years and older must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test (NAAT or antigen) taken within 3 days of embarkation.
• Guests under the age of 2 are exempt from testing requirements.

All policies are subject to local destination requirements. MSC Cruises will continue to monitor these requirements carefully and will advise guests and Travel Advisors of any changes.

MSC Cruises will continue to monitor pandemic conditions and port requirements and recommends fully vaccinated guests receive booster doses when eligible, per CDC recommendations. More than 95 percent of MSC Cruises’ crew are fully vaccinated, and all crew are regularly tested.

Guests can book with confidence with MSC Cruises for safe and enjoyable cruising. Guests should refer to the website for the latest health and safety requirements at: USA Health and Safety Measures. Booked guests should also monitor all pre-cruise email communications for the latest information.

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About MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is the world’s third largest cruise brand as well as the leader in Europe, South America, the Gulf region, and Southern Africa, with more market share in addition to deployed capacity than any other player. It is also the fastest growing global cruise brand with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America, and the Far East markets.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises is one of the two brands that sit within the Cruise Division of MSC Group, the leading privately held Swiss-based shipping and logistics conglomerate with over 300 years of maritime heritage. MSC Cruises – the contemporary brand - has a modern fleet of 19 vessels combined with a sizeable future global investment portfolio of new vessels. The fleet is projected to grow to 23 cruise ships by 2025, with options for six more vessel orders in place through 2030.

MSC Cruises offers its guests an enriching, immersive and safe cruise experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage, where they can enjoy international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programs, and the very latest user-friendly technology on board. To learn more about MSC Cruises’ itineraries and experience on board its ships, click here.

The Company’s number one priority has always been the health and safety of its guests and crew, as well as the communities at the destinations its ships serve.  In August 2020, MSC Cruises implemented a new comprehensive and robust health and safety protocol to become the first major line to return to sea. To learn more about MSC Cruises’ health & safety protocol, click here.

MSC Cruises has long been committed to environmental stewardship, with a long-term goal to achieve net zero emissions for its operations by 2050. The Company is also a significant investor in next-generation environmental marine technologies, with the objective to support their accelerated development and availability industry-wide. To learn more about the Company’s environmental commitment, click here. 

Finally, to learn more about the MSC Foundation, MSC Group’s own vehicle to lead, focus and advance its conservation, humanitarian, and cultural commitments, click here.