MSC Cruises has launched a special global discounted cruise fares programme applicable to the end of 2021, for all frontline and back office healthcare professionals globally.

The scheme is a way of thanking them for their ongoing contribution to flighting the global coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and letting them know they can enjoy a deserved holiday with their loved ones when they are ready.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises said: “As a family-owned company, we think it’s only right and proper to find a way to express our heartfelt ‘thank you’ to each and every healthcare professional around the world — as well as their families — for their selfless and tireless dedication, professionalism and bravery in tackling the current global pandemic.

“To all of them, NHS and private health care staff. Front line and back office workers, doctors, nurses, pharmacists those who work in research laboratories and in fact everyone who is a health worker, at all levels.

“Their work and dedication has also helped pave the way for our new health and safety operating protocol which was recently implemented successfully when our flagship MSC Grandiosa was the first ship from our fleet to return to welcome guests at sea in the West Mediterranean.”

HEALTH AND SAFETY OPERATING PROTOCOL

He added: “For the past five months, we have worked around the clock with highly qualified and internationally respected medical experts to draw up a comprehensive healthcare and safety operating protocol to protect the wellbeing of all passengers on board our ships as well as the communities we touch in the ports we call and the tourist destinations our guests visit.

“The backbone of our protocol is down to the new data, research into Covid-19 and improved understanding of the virus that worldwide healthcare professionals have established during the pandemic. We want to thank them for their selfless and tireless work.

“What better way to do that than on a cruise holiday together with their loved ones, who have also endured much to support them during the past months and continue to do so?

“We very much look forward to welcoming them on board whenever they are ready for a much-deserved holiday. We will also welcome their feedback to improve further our protocol as they will witness it first-hand while on board.”

The special ‘thank you’ discounted cruise fare programme for healthcare professionals and their immediate families will go on sale on Monday 31 August. It will be available on all MSC Cruises sailings of any duration through to the end of 2021. This includes all cruises departing up to 31 December 2021, when the booking is made by 30 April 2021.

These special per cabin fares will result in a discount up to or exceeding 50% off the regular rates and will be available to healthcare workers booking through travel agents and MSC Cruises contact centres from Monday 31 August.

Additionally, the programme will include a series of onboard activities to properly recognise and celebrate these special guests and their families.

MSC Cruises halted its operation due to the global pandemic in mid-March and resumed sailing on 16 August when MSC Grandiosa departed from the Italian port of Genoa for its first seven-night cruise. MSC Grandiosa will call Civitavecchia for Rome, Naples, Palermo in Sicily and Valletta in Malta, before returning to its homeport of Genoa.

The ship is now halfway through its next seven-night cruise along the same Western Mediterranean itinerary. All guests and crew members undergo a comprehensive medical screening before boarding, which includes universal testing as well as only protected ashore excursions at each port of call.

This latest acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication of frontline healthcare professionals during the crisis, follows the launch of several initiatives across the channel including Qatar Airways’ decision to give 100,000 free tickets to frontline healthcare workers in May.

Also in May, TRBusiness launched its own Duty Free Care for Carers campaign which invites industry stakeholders to join us on our mission to give back to health and medical professionals who risked their lives to save others. Interested parties can provide details of their offer on the dedicated Duty Free Care for Carers ‘Join the Campaign’ page.