Cruise ships have been a significant part of the coronavirus epidemic after multiple ships were the site of infections and quarantine.
One of South Africa’s most popular cruise companies, MSC, has halted all operations as a result of the pandemic. One MSC cruise liner which docked in Durban in March recorded cases of the virus and those on board had to be tested and quarantined.
As with multiple industries, it is not clear when exactly it will be safe to once again commence cruises.
MSC Cruises has said, however that in the interest of guest and employee safety, they have only scheduled to begin cruises on 29 May 2020.
‘This is not a decision we took lightly but under the current circumstances, the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities ashore – including our employees and their families – must come first. As a family company with over 300 years of maritime tradition, we felt that this was the right decision to make,’ said Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Executive Chairman.
‘We look forward to welcoming our guests on board again soon in the spirit of #AWorldOfDiscovery,’ Vago added.
Image: MSC Cruise SA/ Twitter
