Cruise & Ferry Review - Autumn/Winter 2021

1 8 MARKETWATCH Cruising returns to regions around the world C ruise lines have started to resume operations in regions around the world with new health and safety protocols in place now that countries have begun to reopen for international arrivals. In the Mediterranean, MSC Cruises was the first cruise line to begin sailing international cruises again in summer 2020, with MSC Grandiosa departing from Genoa on 15 August. The ship sailed with reduced occupancy and a range of new health protocols, stopping in the Italian ports of Civitavecchia, Naples and Palermo, along with the capital of Malta, Valletta. The cruise line now has seven ships back in service, with the most recent addition being MSC Seaview on 3 July 2021 from Kiel, Germany. “During 2020 we achieved a huge amount, and MSC Cruises rose to the challenges posed by the pandemic,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises. “We got all our guests and crew home safely early on, and we were then the first to launch our industry leading health and safety operating protocol that has redefined cruising and made it one of the safest options for a holiday now, and in the future.” As cruise operations begin to resume following the pandemic, CFR highlights the sailings that pioneered the restart