Cruise ships to resume activities this weekend
The Brazilian Association of Cruise Ships (Clia) announced the resumption of the 2021/2022 cruise season in the country, starting next Saturday (Mar. 5). The season includes 19 itineraries and shall end on April 18. The 2022/23 season is expected to start in October this year.
Sea cruises had been suspended until February this year due to the report of cases of COVID-19 on board of several ships. According to Clia, about 1,100 people out of the 130,000 engers carried this season had tested positive. This number also includes crew .
The travel protocol will require, among other things, mandatory full vaccination cycle, and testing before boarding.
MSC - one of the companies operating in Brazil - reported that among the measures adopted, a full vaccination certificate for engers aged 12 and over, a negative COVID-19 test and a travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage are required. As part of its measures, the company regularly carries out on-board testing, offers 100% fresh air without recirculation, high hygiene measures, and requires the use of masks. The number of engers has also been reduced.
Costa Cruises, which also operates in the country, reported its Costa Fascinosa ship, where cases of COVID-19 had been recorded, shall no longer cruise along the Brazilian coast in 2022. Customers scheduled to board the ship as of Monday (Mar. 7) will be automatically relocated - at no additional cost, and with similar cabin conditions - on cruises aboard the Costa Diadema ship.
engers booked to travel from Brazil to Italy with Costa Fascinosa ship will also be re-accommodated in Costa Diadema ship.
