MSC Cruises has become the latest line to confirm restart plans for sailing from the United States, with the first departures set for August. The announcement follows approval from the Centres For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) for MSC Cruise’s plans for port agreements for PortMiami and Port Canaveral

MSC Meraviglia will kick off MSC Cruises’ restart starting August 2nd, with three- and four-night cruises from Miami to the Bahamas and featuring MSC Cruises’ exclusive new private island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Then, starting September 18, MSC Meraviglia will add seven-night cruises from Miami to the Bahamas and Caribbean, including Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

MSC Divina will resume cruising from Orlando (Port Canaveral) on September 16th, offering three-, four- and seven-night cruise options from to the Bahamas and Caribbean, also including stops at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. MSC Cruises will reveal additional itinerary details for cruises on board MSC Meraviglia and MSC Divina in the coming week, as well as health and safety measures and guidelines for guests.

MSC has also confirmed the cancellation of existing United States-based sailings. The decision will affect the schedules of three ships- Cruises onboard MSC Divina from July 1 through to and including September 15, cruises onboard MSC Meraviglia from July 1 through to and including September 17 and cruises onboard MSC Armonia from July 1 through to and including October 24.

Gianni Onorato, Chief Executive, MSC Cruises said in a statement that with the vast experience of cruising in Europe since August last year along with industry-leading health and safety protocol, United States guests can book with confidence knowing the line is well prepared for a successful restart in that market.

He mentioned that the line previously announced a fleet-wide vaccination program for all crew to ensure the safest experience for our guests, and expects that the majority of guests booking a cruise this summer will plan to be vaccinated prior to sail. He said that the rapid distribution of vaccines in the United States has been a positive step toward helping vacationers get back to traveling, and the cruise line is encouraging guests to take advantage of the added layer of protection when resuming travel this summer.