Entire MSC Cruises fleet back in operation

MSC Cruises’ entire fleet of 19 ships is now back in operation after MSC Musica started its summer season from Monfalcone in Italy.

MSC Musica’s seven-night round-trip voyage will call into ports such as Katakolon, Crete and Santorini, all Greece, as well as Bari, Italy.

Following the cruise industry’s global shutdown in March 2020, MSC Grandiosa became the first ship of any major cruise line to return to sea in August 2020.

In addition to bringing ships back into service, the line has also launched MSC Virtuosa, which is based in Southampton, and MSC Seashore during the pandemic.

It will welcome two more ships, MSC Seascape and MSC World Europa, at the end of 2022.

UK and Ireland managing director Antonio Paradiso said it had been a “challenge” getting the full fleet operational again but that he was “proud” the line had managed to do it.

He said: “We are so proud to see our entire fleet back at sea. It has been a challenge given the pandemic ashore.

“But our industry-leading health and safety protocol has put us in a position of strength and confidence whereby all of our vessels are now at sea to give our travel agent partners and their customers what they want; relaxing, enjoyable and, above all else, safe cruise holidays.

“We were the first major line to return to international cruising back in summer 2020 as health and safety is absolutely paramount for all of us at MSC Cruises.”