MSC CRUISES SETS SIGHTS ON SUSTAINABILITY WITH SUMMER SHORE EXCURSIONS

• More low-carbon tours in the Caribbean and Europe
• Hybrid and electric buses to shuttle guests in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Spain and Sweden
• More ‘Protectours’ to be available at up to 90 destinations

Geneva, Switzerland – May 9, 2022 – MSC Cruises’ collection of summer 2022 shore excursions will have its strongest ever focus on minimising the environmental impact of land-based experiences and supporting nature-positive activities.

More electric and hybrid shuttle buses will shuttle guests from ports to places of interest in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Spain and Sweden, with MSC Cruises aiming to further increase the utilization of green ground transportation in the future.

Low carbon footprint excursions will include 150 bicycle tours available in 21 countries – which are growing in popularity among the line’s guests – and more sustainable shore excursions called ‘Protectours’ that MSC Cruises first introduced in 2020 will be available.

Up to 70 percent of Protectours will have a low environmental impact thanks to an increase in the number of walking, hiking, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking excursions ashore, with many tours set to make a direct contribution to the environment by helping the protection of habitats and species.

MSC Cruises worked extensively in 2021 to provide tour operators with responsible and sustainable tourism training. ‘Protectours’ will be available at 20 ports when the summer of 2022 begins and will expand to up to 90 destinations by the season’s end.

Examples of ‘Protectours’ available include nature walking tours in the Bahamas; planting trees to replenish lost forests in the Greek island of Rhodes; collecting plastic waste from the beaches of the Adriatic Sea; making eco-friendly jewellery in Helsinki, Finland; urban farming and beekeeping in Rotterdam, The Netherlands; organic rooftop farming in Copenhagen, Denmark; and stone cleaning in Scotland.

Marialuisa Iaccarino, Head of Shore Excursions, MSC Cruises, said: “Travel and tourism has a very significant role to play in global decarbonisation and we need to demonstrate leadership by ensuring that we meet the expectation of travellers who are more aware and engaged in sustainability matters and the protection and enhancement of the natural environment.

“At MSC Cruises we are determined to prove that the industry is a positive and engaged player in driving sustainable tourism.”

MSC Cruises will offer nearly 1,400 shore excursions for summer 2022 – the line’s largest offering to date. The Caribbean will host 200 different excursions, along with Northern Europe’s 640 and the Mediterranean’s 550. Every MSC Cruises sailing is set to feature something for every type of vacationer, regardless of age and interests.

Guests who book any of MSC Cruises’ summer 2022 shore excursions will benefit from a price reduction of up to 20 percent if booked in advance. Pre-booking guarantees a space on the most popular tours and guarantees entry to some of the world’s most popular attractions, which may not have walk-up ticket availability the day of a visit.

MSC Cruises has also waived the ‘safe bubble’ shore excursions requirement it pioneered for the cruise industry in 2020 as part of its response to the pandemic ashore, so guests can make their own sightseeing arrangements subject to the regulations set by local authorities.

The Swiss-based line has a long-term goal to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions for its operations by 2050. This will be achieved by investing in and supporting the accelerated development and implementation of innovative, cutting-edge technologies to be deployed across the Company’s fleet of ships.

For more details about MSC Protectors, click here.

For more details about MSC Cruises’ shore excursions, click here.   

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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 Cruises 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.