MSC Cruises, which organizes Mediterranean cruises including ports in Italy, Spain, France, and Malta on their itinerary, is the first to allow the boarding of Romanian citizens, and this will happen starting November 1, 2020, representatives of the Aerotravel travel agency stated in a press release.
The cruise segment was the most affected in tourism in the context of the pandemic, as these were completely closed for several months.
MSC Cruises resumed cruises on August 16, 2020, for passengers from the Schengen area, while Costa Cruises will restart cruises on September 6, 2020.
Initially, for safety reasons, Costa Cruises will only board Italian citizens, and the ships will anchor only in ports on the Italian Peninsula, with plans to progressively expand operations later.
River cruise companies A-Rosa and Lüftner resumed operations this summer, with itineraries on the Danube, Rhine, Douro, Main, Rhône, and Seine. A river cruise has rates starting from 775 euros/person and includes 5 nights of accommodation on board the ship with full board. Romanian passengers can board starting October 29.
Before restarting cruise operations, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, A-Rosa, and Lüftner implemented enhanced health safety measures to protect passengers, crew, and the local communities the ships visit.
Before boarding, MSC Cruises passengers will have their body temperature checked, then complete a health questionnaire and undergo a COVID-19 test. Individuals testing positive or showing symptoms will not be allowed to board. Passengers from high-risk countries must present a mandatory negative RT-PCR molecular test result, performed 72 hours before boarding. The entire ship crew will be tested for COVID-19 before boarding and regularly during their contract period.
The frequency of cleaning and disinfecting the ship will be increased, with an emphasis on high-traffic areas. In places where social distancing is not possible (elevators, etc.), passengers will have to wear a mask. New masks will be left in each passenger’s cabin daily. Costa Cruises mandates the wearing of protective masks on board, and Lüftner places disinfectant gel dispensers in the main areas of the ship. A-Rosa passengers also have this obligation, except when dining or present in open spaces. The air conditioning is clean, being processed by individual units.
At MSC Cruises, physical distancing will be achieved by reducing the number of passengers to a maximum of 70% of the ship’s capacity, so that each passenger has approximately 10 m². Activities will be modified to address smaller groups, and event halls will operate at reduced capacity.
Costa Cruises has also reduced the number of passengers who can board and has remodeled common areas to allow for distancing.
On board Lüftner and A-Rosa, a distance of 1.5 m from other people is respected, and markings have been made to easily follow this rule.
Medical services on board MSC Cruises are provided by qualified personnel who have the necessary equipment for testing, evaluating, and treating COVID-19 suspects. Passengers suspected of COVID-19 and their contacts will be isolated in special cabins.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can Romanian tourists board MSC Cruises ships?Romanian tourists can board MSC Cruises ships starting November 1, 2020, according to the announcement by Aerotravel agency.
What tests are required for boarding a cruise?Passengers from high-risk areas must present a negative RT-PCR test taken 72 hours prior, and all passengers will undergo testing upon boarding.
How is social distancing ensured on board the ships?Ship capacity is reduced to 70%, activities are adapted for smaller groups, and in common areas where distancing is not possible, masks are mandatory.