Passengers aged 2 years and older who are not vaccinated must provide proof of a negative screening test (NAAT or antigen) for all departures from US ports within three days of boarding, and MSC recommends that these guests be tested within one day of departure. MSC still requires vaccination for guests 12 years and older, so most guests who sail without being vaccinated are children or have an MSC vaccination exemption. MSC Cruises is providing COVID-19 assistance at no additional cost to residents of the United States and Puerto Rico who are fully vaccinated. Children who have not reached the age required for vaccination based on the above data, regardless of their vaccination status, travel with fully vaccinated parents/guardians (with proof of vaccination) also from this support. For all those travelling to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Red Sea, the Caribbean and the Caribbean, mandatory vaccination against Covid-19 will no longer be necessary, although it remains highly recommended. In the same geographic areas, fully vaccinated citizens (two doses of the vaccine or one dose of Johnson & Johnson) no longer need to provide a negative swab result, but this is still recommended. However, for all passengers cruising in the United Arab Emirates or Qatar, a full vaccination against Covid-19 from the age of 16 remains mandatory. Also, for these cruises, the obligation to take a swab within 48 hours of embarkation (except for those coming from Doha) is no longer required, which is still recommended, while it is only mandatory for children under 16 years of age who do not have a full vaccination certificate. MSC Cruises has confirmed that it will no longer require vaccinations for passengers in South Africa during the upcoming 2022/23 cruise season. Children under 2 years of age are not required to meet vaccination or screening requirements. Effective September 1, MSC Cruises will change its vaccination and testing requirements for cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas departing from U.S.
ports so that vaccination is no longer mandatory for all passengers and testing is no longer required for fully vaccinated passengers arriving from the United States. Fully vaccinated U.S. residents do not need to be tested, but they must present proof of vaccination upon boarding. All guests must follow vaccination and testing protocols, which may vary depending on local requirements as well as general travel industry requirements to and from ports of embarkation. Depending on the age and vaccination status of the guests, different testing requirements apply. Award-winning wedding and honeymoon venues Saudi Arabia`s Red Sea Project: What You Need to Know If you test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of your cruise, you and your tour group will receive a full refund. The cruise line noted that these protocols would remain in place to ensure the health and well-being of all passengers and to meet entry requirements still in place in Namibia and Mozambique. All guests must meet the general requirements of the travel industry to and from ports of embarkation. In addition, travel requirements may vary depending on the destination. Please select your destination below. MSC Cruises lifts its COVID-19 testing requirement for departures from US cruise ports. Other airlines that have already stopped some testing include Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Royal Caribbean brands.
In a letter to customers, MSC Cruises said the move was a response to the pandemic`s development on land and the relaxation of government regulations. As of August 8, MSC will no longer require passengers on cruises of five nights or less departing from U.S. ports to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding. Instead, MSC only recommends customers get tested. In case of flu-like symptoms, you should immediately inform the medical center and you will be offered free treatment. If the medical team on board detects a suspected case of COVID-19, a full isolation process and response plan, including contact tracing, will be activated in close cooperation with health authorities. All policies are subject to local target requirements. To minimize congestion when boarding, guests will be assigned a specific arrival time that will be indicated on their cruise tickets. TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS: For U.S. and Puerto Rican residents departing for cruises departing from outside U.S. ports: For all new bookings from 1 July 2022, MSC Cruises strongly recommends that customers purchase travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage, whether from MSC Cruises or any other provider. You can purchase travel insurance within 24 hours of payment.
During your cruise, you may be exposed to certain COVID-19-related risks that may not be covered by existing insurance policies without COVID-19 coverage, such as cancellation, interruption, repatriation costs, quarantine, medical care and related expenses, and hospitalization. If you do not have insurance, you may be exposed to additional costs that may not be covered by the company. Insurance must be purchased to cover you and your travel group from the date of confirmation of your booking until the end of your cruise and your flight or Stay & Cruise package.