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COVID-19 as well as unvaccinated guests but will amend its position subject to the requirements of either the South African government or any of the other countries that the MSC Orchestra is set to visit during the season. To date, the SA government has not mandated passengers be fully vaccinated before a cruise holiday nor have other countries in MSC Orchestra’s Southern Africa itineraries. MSC Cruises, however,
Following government approval, MSC Cruises is to resume sailing from 6 December in Durban.
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SC Orchestra, a popular ship for South African holidaymakers, will homeport in Durban and Cape Town for the local 2021/22 season and offer two, three, four and seven-night voyages up to 11 May 2022. The vessel has recently undergone a major refurbishment programme and replaces the MSC Musica that was originally earmarked for South Africa in the upcoming cruise season. MSC Orchestra will welcome guests on a total of 41 local cruises from Durban and Cape Town, providing South African cruisers with a wide choice of options to suit their holiday needs. Highlights include Pomene Bay in Mozambique, a marine safari experience complete with its own beach club, Portuguese Island, and other destinations in Southern Africa. MSC Cruises plans to implement stringent health and safety measures onboard the Orchestra and all destinations that the ship will call. These measures are based on an industry-leading protocol it introduced in August 2020 for the wellbeing of passengers, crew and the destinations served by its vessels.
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| THE AFROPOLITAN | ISSUE 2, 2021
According to Ross Volk, Managing Director at MSC Cruises South Africa, they are waiting for South African authorities to issue specifics of their health and safety guidelines, which can be built into MSC’s health protocols. “We are delighted to have received approval from government that cruising can proceed. I believe our return to sailing will provide a welcome boost to the South African economy in terms of direct and indirect employment, as well as offer safe and relaxing cruise holidays. “We have worked co-operatively since last year with all of the relevant authorities, ports and destinations to demonstrate that our new health and safety protocols can ensure the wellbeing of guests, crew and the communities that MSC Orchestra will visit during the season. We now look forward to receiving details of the health and safety guidelines that will allow us to finalise our protocols for the start of our sailing programme,” he said.
VACCINATION
MSC Cruises plans to welcome onboard guests who have been vaccinated against
own safety and that of other passengers, the ship’s crew and communities in the destinations that the MSC Orchestra will visit. All passengers – vaccinated or not – will be required to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their cruise departure and provide proof of a negative result in order to board. Unvaccinated guests over the age of 18 years will additionally have to undergo an antigen lateral flow test at the embarkation port costing R300 per person. All guests will be required to have an insurance policy to cover COVID-19 related issues, such as cancellation, interruption, repatriation, quarantine and medical assistance, and related expenses. Guests can choose MSC Cruises’ new Hollard COVID-19 Protection Plan that will provide coverage before, during and after their cruise. In collaboration with Hollard Insurance, the plan covers cancellation charges as well as medical and related transport expenses. Guests are advised to go over MSC’s terms and conditions for more information about the Protection Plan. In order to comply with the local social distancing regulations, guest embarkation flow will be managed by assigning guests a specific arrival time, which will be indicated on their cruise tickets. No guest will be allowed to enter the terminal until their time slot. MSC Orchestra is equipped with a 24/7 medical centre. Additional health and safety measures include extended sanitation onboard and the wearing of face masks in indoor public areas or where social distancing cannot be guaranteed. A
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MSC CRUISES RESUMES SAILING IN SOUTH AFRICA
strongly urges its guests to be fully vaccinated before their voyage for their
