As things stand, MSC Cruises will be the first cruise line to begin domestic sailings around the UK. At least 12 other lines have announced plans to also offer staycations at sea for British customers this summer, but most are starting at the end of June or early July.
In line with healthy and safety protocols, MSC Cruises’ new flagship Virtuosa will sail with just 1,000 passengers for its month and then at 80% of its 6,000-passenger capacity for the rest of the summer, the line’s UK & Ireland boss has revealed.
This reduction is to keep in line with the current UK restrictions and from June 21st, when restrictions are hoping to be lifted, the cruise liner will operate at 80% capacity.
MSC Cruises Managing Director, Antonio Paradiso has said, “we will always have some sort of cap in place because, as part of our health and safety protocols, we have a dedicated section of the ship should there ever be a Covid outbreak or a problem on board.”
MSC Cruises have been testing their protocol since August last year with more than 50,000 guests remaining safe and happy.
“So we feel rather confident in our health and safety protocol and we’re looking forward to replicating the success we’ve had in the Med in Southampton.”
