In light of the extraordinary circumstances the world is currently facing in connection with the COVID-19 virus, MSC Cruises has taken the difficult decision to temporary stop all its U.S.-based new cruise embarkations for 45 days until April 30.
As the COVID-19 situation is now a global pandemic, governments across the globe are continuously reviewing ashore public health and safety measures to protect local populations and limit the further spread of the virus. MSC Cruises’ decision aims to mirror and further support the effectiveness of such efforts.
“This is not a decision we took lightly but under the current circumstances, the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities ashore—including our employees and their families—must come first. As a family company with over 300 years of maritime tradition, we felt that this was the right decision to make,” says Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises, in a press statement.
The company has already also halted ship operations across all areas considered as high risk for the virus, in the Mediterranean, the Gulf, and Asia. Ships still in operations in South America and South Africa will also end their operations at the end of their current itineraries.
MSC Cruises is offering guests affected by today’s decision the opportunity to transfer 100 percent of the money paid for their cancelled vacation, plus an additional generous credit benefit to a future cruise of their choice at any point through the end of 2021. If not used by that date, guests will receive a full refund of the cruise fare.
For more information, visit msccruises.com.
For up-to-date information on the Coronavirus epidemic, check out Recommend’s microsite at recommend.com/coronavirus.
