MSC Cruises has announced that it will restart its sailing operations in Spain, with the MSC Grandiosa heading to Barcelona from June 26, departing on Saturday. From July 30, Valencia will be an additional port of call.
Previously, the cruise line announced that its ships will resume itineraries to Germany, France and the Baltic region, in addition to the current and confirmed Western Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean and UK itineraries for summer 2021. Barcelona is also an important international tourist hub with a leading airport where international tourists can now fly in and join the cruise directly.
The resumption of service is in full compliance with local Spanish regulations and will follow MSC Cruises’ industry-leading health and safety protocols, which have protected tens of thousands of guests, crew members and local communities since MSC Cruises first introduced them on MSC Grandiosa in August 2020.
MSC Grandiosa Seven-night cruises to the Western Mediterranean, with stops at Genoa, Civitavecchia/Rome, Naples, Palermo, Valletta, Malta and now Barcelona, Spain, departing on Saturdays from Italian ports and Barcelona. MSC Grandiosa Valencia will be added to the itinerary on Friday, and the line will offer seven-night itineraries from July 31, calling at Barcelona, Genoa, La Spezia to Florence and Pisa, Civitavecchia/Rome and Valencia.
Mediterranean coast Also sailing in the Mediterranean, from May 20th, the new MSC Virtuosa Operates cruises around the British Isles for UK residents. Mediterranean Seaview Hotel The Baltic Sea route will be restarted from Germany on July 3.
US cruise resumption
MSC Cruises also announced plans to restart cruises from U.S. ports beginning in August of this year after the CDC approved the company’s Phase 2A port protocols for the Ports of Miami and Canaveral and tentatively approved the company’s request for simulated cruises to take place in August 2020. MSC Meraviglia Departs July 17, 2021 from PortMiami.
MSC Meraviglia MSC Cruises will resume operations on August 2, 2021, with 3- and 4-night cruises from Miami to the Bahamas that will take you to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, an exclusive new private island destination for MSC Cruises. Then, from September 18, 2021, MSC Meraviglia A 7-night cruise will be added from Miami to the Bahamas and Caribbean, including the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. MSC Divine Comedy Sailing will resume on September 16, 2021 from Orlando (Port Canaveral), offering 3-, 4- and 7-night sailing options from the Bahamas and the Caribbean, which also include a stop at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Sanctuary.
Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, said: “With our extensive experience cruising in Europe since August 2020 and industry-leading health and safety protocols in place, our U.S. guests can book with confidence, knowing we are fully prepared for a successful restart in this market. To ensure the safest experience for our guests, we previously announced a fleet-wide vaccination program for all crew members, and we expect that the majority of guests booked to cruise this summer will plan to be vaccinated prior to sailing. The rapid distribution of vaccines in the U.S. is a positive step in helping vacationers resume travel, and we encourage our guests to take advantage of this added measure of protection when they resume travel this summer.”
MSC Cruises to announce more onboard cruise itinerary details MSC Meraviglia and MSC Divine Comedy MSC Cruises will release health and safety measures and guest guidance in the coming week. The cruise will welcome both vaccinated and unvaccinated guests. Guests who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status cannot be verified will be subject to additional testing requirements and restrictions that will be announced later. For more information on our current health and safety protocols, please visit the MSC Cruises website www.msccruises.co.uk/health-and-safety-measures
MSC Cruises also confirmed today the cancellation of existing US itineraries. The decision will affect three cruise ships based in Florida: MSC Divine Comedy The plan is to sail from Port Canaveral. MSC Meraviglia and MSC Harmony The plans to sail from the Port of Miami are as follows:
On a cruise ship MSC Divine Comedy July 1, 2021 – September 15, 2021
On a cruise ship MSC Meraviglia July 1, 2021 – September 17, 2021
On a cruise ship MSC Harmony July 1, 2021 – October 24, 2021
MSC Cruises’ new itineraries from the United States MSC Meraviglia and Mediterranean Divine Comedy U.S. pre-orders will officially open on Wednesday, June 16, 2021.
MSC Cruises to build new cruise terminal in Barcelona
MSC Cruises has received final approval from the Port of Barcelona’s Board of Directors to build and operate a dedicated cruise terminal. The multi-year concession will provide for the construction of an innovative 11,670 square meter terminal, which MSC Cruises will operate and manage for 31 years. The project is expected to cost €33 million, funded by MSC Cruises. Construction work on the new terminal will begin shortly and is expected to be operational in 2024.
The new terminal will be equipped with shore power facilities and prepared for LNG bunkering operations, which will also enable MSC Cruises to deploy more of its new generation of environmentally friendly ships in Barcelona. This includes MSC Cruises’ first LNG-powered cruise ship, MSC World Europa, which is currently under construction and expected to enter service in 2022.
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