Not everyone has been following the new health measures on the first MSC cruise since the start of the suspension in March.
Guests Break MSC Health Protocol Rules
MSC Cruises started to resume operations with its flagship MSC Grandiosa and the vessel departed Genoa, Italy, on August 16 with huge anticipation. However, with new health protocols in place, the cruise line has already needed to deal with some guests who broke the rules.
A family of four had left their arranged shore excursion when the MSC vessel was making a call in Naples, Italy, on Tuesday. The guests apparently had not kept with their approved MSC tour and had gone to explore the city by themselves.
Cruise Hive reached out to MSC Cruises and we received the following statement:
In line with our health and safety protocol, developed to ensure health and wellbeing of our guests, crew and the communities we visit, we had to deny re-embarkation to a family who broke from their shore excursion yesterday while visiting Naples, Italy.
By departing from the organized shore excursion, this family broke from the “social bubble” created for them and all other guests, and therefore could not be permitted to re-board the ship.
These organized shore excursions allow MSC Cruises to uphold the same high standard of health and safety as on board, for instance ensuring that transfers are properly sanitized and that there is adequate space for social distancing, and tour guides and drivers also undergo health screening and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
We all understand the excitement of exploring on our own but in the interest of health and safety, MSC has adopted a temporary policy this is not allowed. The guests must stay with the tour and in that bubble to keep the risk of COVID-19 as low as possible. The approved tours by the cruise line ensure both passengers and crew members are safe by using proper sanitation methods and social distancing practices.
Related: First MSC Ship Restarts Cruises Since Start of Suspension
When the guests returned to the MSC Grandiosa they were denied to board because of breaking the protocols. In the new MSC health measures it says:
Guests wishing to go ashore can only do so by participating in one of our MSC Shore Excursions to ensure the same high standards of health and safety ashore as on board. Excursions will be included in the cruise fare according to the experience booked (except for “cruise only” fare). Guests will be able to book additional MSC Cruises excursions.
The cruise line does have strict protocols in place and has worked with health experts and authorities to make sure guests and crew remain safe at all times during the cruise vacation. Cruise Hive has previously reported about the new health measures in place which you can read here.
Also Read: How to Social Distance Effectively on a Cruise?
This is going to be a concern moving forward when more cruise ships begin to resume service. MSC made the right decision in denying the family back on board and no doubt some guests in the future might try something similar. Hopefully, guests will know they can’t get away with this sort of thing when cruises do eventually resume around the world.
Photo Credit: Riccardo Arata / Shutterstock.com
