All guests must comply with general travel industry requirements to and from ports of embarkation.

VACCINE REQUIREMENTS: 

All guests are strongly encouraged but not required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Guests are considered “fully vaccinated” when:

• They have received at least two doses of a vaccine - except in the case of a single dose of Johnson & Johnson - including those not considered up-to-date by EMA standards.

• They have received one dose of the vaccine and have recovered from COVID-19.

Guests will be required to show an EU Covid Digital certificate or the equivalent of a valid vaccine certificate. A booster dose of a vaccine is not required but strongly recommended. If recovered from COVID-19, guests must provide a QR code or alternatively validating documentation or an antibody test with proven infection.

• For fully vaccinated guests, testing is recommended (within 72 hours of embarkation before boarding) but not required (with proof of vaccination), per our vaccination requirements.

• All guests over 5 years old who are unvaccinated or do not have proof of a vaccine certificate, must show proof of a lab-administered negative COVID-19 viral test (RT-PCR or antigen) taken within 48 hours of embarkation before boarding. Children under 5 years of age are not required to submit a negative test.

• A rapid antigen self-test is not valid for travel purposes.

• The original test results certificate and vaccination certificate must be presented at the terminal (paper or electronic format) and must be in one of the following languages: English, Italian, German, French or Spanish. COVID-19 test certificate must contain the guest’s personal data (verifiable with the other travel documents), date of the test, identification/contact details of the center that performed the analysis, technique used, and negative test result.

• All crew members are required to be fully vaccinated and are regularly tested according to MSC Cruises’ health and safety protocols.

Additional Travel Requirements for Israel:

• All guests who embark in Israel, must complete an entry statement within 48 hours before the ship’s departure. The declaration should be filled as an exit statement before departing https://corona.health.gov.il/en/flights/.
  

• All guests transiting within Israel, must complete and an entry statement before departing Kusadasi https://corona.health.gov.il/en/flights/

The original test results certificate or vaccination or recovery certificate must be presented at the terminal (paper or electronic format) and must be in one of the following languages: English, Italian, German, French or Spanish. The COVID-19 test certificate must contain the guest’s personal data (verifiable with the other travel documents), date of the test, identification / contact details of the center that performed the analysis, technique used, and negative test result. 

TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS:

For all new reservations, beginning July 1, 2022, MSC Cruises strongly encourages but does not require guests to purchase travel insurance with COVID-19 protection either through MSC Cruises or another provider.  Guests can purchase travel insurance within 24 hours of making their final payment.

During your cruise, you may be exposed to specific COVID-19 risks that may not be covered by existing insurance policies without COVID-19 protection such as cancellation, interruption, repatriation expenses, quarantine, medical assistance, and related expenses, as well as hospitalization.  If you have no insurance in place, you may be exposed to additional costs that may not be covered by the company.

The insurance should be purchased to cover you and your traveling party from the confirmation date of your booking through the end of your cruise and flight or your Stay & Cruise package.  

• The wearing of masks is highly recommended.  In certain circumstances, this recommendation might be due to a mandatory requirement by applicable health authorities’ regulations of a country or port of call visited.  When ashore, guests must also follow any local regulations regarding mask usage.  These protocols are subject to change. 
• If you become symptomatic during your cruise, you will be required to take an RT-PCR test on board (covered by MSC Cruises).

• To go ashore or to disembark in Belgium, guests traveling from a country outside the Schengen Area or European Union that is not included in the “white list” as per Belgium authorities, are required to complete the BEL PLF and submit online prior to arrival to the cruise. Guests staying onboard the ship in Zeebrugge DO NOT need to complete the BEL PLF.
• All guests must comply with general travel industry requirements to and from ports of embarkation.
  
• In addition, a PASSENGER LOCATOR FORM (PLF) may still be necessary for national or international mobility requirement: it’s every guest’s responsibility to verify this requirement before departure. For more information, it is recommended to check your country’s official requirements.

SHORE EXCURSIONS:

Guests can go ashore independently according to local requirements which are continually monitored and subject to change. Guests who are traveling with unvaccinated children are also able to go ashore independently. 

For the best ashore experience, we recommend all guests explore destinations with the comfort, convenience, and safety of an MSC Cruises Shore Excursion, which is bookable pre-cruise and on board. 

Visit our Shore Excursion  FAQ section for more information.