After eight weeks of uneventful cruising on their Italy/ Malta route for Schengen Zone passenger only, the crew aboard MSC Grandiosa had their first real test of their responses to a positive COVID test today. A female crew member tested positive during routine checks and was immediately isolated. Her second test proved negative as apparently were all the tests carried out on her close contacts as identified by the track and trace system on board. 
For more on the protocols in place read our previous Blog

However, following its own protocols, MSC reported to Maltese authorities on the way into Valletta that there was a potential Covid case onboard. The decision was taken not to allow passengers ashore pending a definitive test by a Genoa based lab although Malta allowed the ship to dock for a ‘technical visit. Grandiosa has now set sail for her home port of Genoa where the crew member will receive the more technical land lab tests. Whatever the outcome of those tests it seems pretty good news that MSC are following procedures and those procedures are working well so far! 

MSC released some statistics this week that showed some extraordinary levels of sanitation and safety that I really don’t think are being matched anywhere ashore… for example all restrooms cleaned and sanitised three times an hour and every lift is cleaned using hospital grade disinfectant twice an hour! Apparently guests are estimated to have sanitised their hands more than 352,000 times in one cruise circuit! Pretty impressive stuff.

Personally I would rather be on board than in a plane or a hotel and as soon as the British Government change their travel advice so that we can join the ship I will be on my way!!

See you there???

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Happy portExploring!

 Love 

Cathy 

xx

#MSCCruises  #WeStandWithMSC