MSC Cruises has taken precautionary public health measures due to the outbreak of Coronavirus across China and the world.
New MSC Cruises Health Measures
The cruise line has decided to increase measures across its fleet due to the continuing spread of the deadly Coronavirus in China and the world. MSC first implemented actions to protect against the virus on January 24 but now with the virus not slowing down the cruise line has increased measures fleetwide.
All guests are required to fill out a questionnaire before embarkation with specific details regarding travel to China. Anyone who has visited mainland China in the past 30 days before the cruise is being denied access to the ship. This is also the case for most major cruise lines right now and Carnival Cruise Line just announced something similar right here.
New Mandatory non-touch thermal scans are being conducted to guests and crew before embarkation if showing any symptoms of the Coronavirus including fever, chills, cough or difficulty in breathing. They will also be denied to embark on the cruise ship.
Every vessel will undergo deep sanitation and guests who have symptoms during the cruise will be confined to their cabin along with others they have been in contact with including crew members.
MSC Cruises is closely monitoring the developments of the Coronavirus not just in China but through other regions that have been infected too especially where MSC ships call to. The cruise line has been following advice from official health authorities.
Additionally, MSC has canceled the next three 4-night and 5-night sailings from Shanghai on the MSC Splendida departing Feb 1, 5 and 9. The cruise ship will which is currently based in Asia will reposition to Singapore to start her 27-night Grand Voyage to the Middle East and Europe for the February 14 scheduled departure.
Gianni Onorato, CEO, MSC Cruises, said:
“The decision to reposition the ship from Shanghai to Singapore has been taken in the best interests of the safety and well-being for our passengers and crew, as was the decision to cancel our next three scheduled sailings from China.
“Many major airlines have either cancelled or reduced their flight frequency to China and the Grand Voyage, a maritime tradition whereby a ship moves from one part of the world to another for a new sailing season, was entirely booked with guests flying from abroad to enjoy the experience of a unique itinerary.
“In light of Singapore becoming a new embarkation port we have had to cancel calls to Naha, Japan and Hong Kong but it has also created an opportunity to update and enrich the Grand Voyage’s itinerary with four additional new ports; Langkawi, Penang and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, plus Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to create a new, one-of-a kind memorable cruise.”
Also Read: Royal Caribbean Cancels Another Sailing Due to Coronavirus
At the moment the deadly Coronavirus which first started from the city of Wuhan in the Chinese province of Hubei has infected over 9,700 people with 213 dead. Cruise Hive will continue to keep readers updated on the latest developments impacting the cruise industry.
