Another setback for holidaymakers after MSC Cruises announced on Friday, December 10 that it has voluntarily suspended all its domestic sailings in South Africa with immediate effect until January 8.
According to the luxury cruise line, the temporary suspension was dictated by the cruise line’s industry-leading health and safety protocol in connection with the most recent sike in COVID-19 infections in the country.
Managing Director, MSC Cruises South Africa, Ross Volk said in a statement that they have made this voluntary decision in an abundance of caution towards guests, their crew and the communities that MSC Orchestra was scheduled to visit in the coming weeks.
“This is what our health and safety protocol is designed to do, in accordance with the evolution of the pandemic ashore and to ensure the utmost protection to our guests and crew.
“In light of the most recent evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic across South Africa, we have been in consultation with the government’s Department of Health which is working hard to understand the most up-to-date data of the virus and as health and safety is our number one priority our protocol clearly called for a temporary suspension of our forthcoming sailings with immediate effect,” Volk said.
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He said they will now wait for any additional guidance from the South African government for its citizens so that they can reflect on any new measures into their health and safety protocol.
“We understand that our decision will be very disappointing to those guests that will have their voyages cancelled but I hope that they will understand that it was made with their wellbeing in mind, as the health and safety of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our number one priority,” Volk reiterated.
In the meantime, the decision will also lead to the cancellation of all sailings of MSC Orchestra from the port of Durban and all booked guests will receive a voucher for a voyage later in the season at their convenience or a refund. MSC Orchestra will resume her cruise sailings on January 9.
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Picture: MSC Cruises