Family kicked off first Mediterranean cruise after violating new health protocols
A family traveling on the first major cruise ship to resume sailings in the Mediterranean since the coronavirus shutdown began has been kicked off the vessel after violating new health protocols.
The unnamed passengers on the MSC Cruises flagship MSC Grandiosa were on a cruise ship-sponsored shore excursion on Tuesday in Naples, Italy, when they separated from the group to explore the city on their own, according to the line.
Under the line's new coronavirus-related health and safety rules, passengers are not allowed to get off in ports unless they on an official, MSC Cruises-organized shore excursion with a guide, and they must be accompanied at all times. They are not allowed to stray from the group.
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The rule is designed to limit the amount of interaction that passengers have with locals in port towns, which MSC Cruises believes will help keep passengers from bringing COVID-19 back on board ships after port visits. The rule also is designed to protect port town residents from the risk of passengers spreading the illness while touring.
"In line with our health and safety protocol, developed to ensure health and wellbeing of our guests, crew and the communities we visit, we had to deny re-embarkation to a family who broke from their shore excursion yesterday," MSC Cruises said in a statement sent to The Points Guy. "By departing from the organized shore excursion, this family broke from the “social bubble” created for them and all other guests, and therefore could not be permitted to re-board the ship."
MSC Cruises noted that the buses used for tours are sanitized, and tour guides and drivers undergo health screenings and wear personal protective equipment. The tours also are designed for social distancing, the line said.
Once a passenger departs from that protective "bubble," it's impossible to know if they have been in contact with someone who is positive for COVID-19, the line has suggested.
Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles
MSC Grandiosa departed Genoa, Italy, on Sunday, becoming the first cruise ship to sail out of Italy since March. The 4,842-passenger vessel, which is sailing at a significantly reduced capacity to allow for social distancing, is on a seven-night voyage to Civitavecchia (the port for Rome), Naples and Palermo in Italy; and Valletta, Malta.
A second MSC Cruises ship, the 2,550-passenger MSC Magnifica, will resume cruises in the Mediterranean on Aug. 29 with seven-night sailings out of Bari and Trieste, Italy, to the Greek ports of Corfu, Katakolon and Piraeus (the port for Athens).
MSC Cruises is the first major cruise line to resume sailings in the Mediterranean since the coronavirus shutdown began. The trips are starting after Italy announced earlier this month that it would allow cruises to resume out of Italian ports.
Italy has been recording fewer than 500 new coronavirus cases on most days for several months, down from more than 5,000 a day earlier this year.
Cruising also has resumed in a small way in other parts of the world in the past two months, but most major cruise lines around the world remain completely shut down for now.
The no-touring-on-your-own restriction at MSC Cruises is one of several measures the line is implementing to ensure COVID-19 doesn’t spread during voyages.
The line also is requiring passengers to undergo a COVID-19 swab test at their embarkation port on the day of embarkation and daily temperature checks while on board. Passengers who test positive for COVID-19 at embarkation or show symptoms of the illness will be denied boarding.
Related: More cruise lines are eyeing preboarding COVID tests
MSC Cruises said that five passengers initially tested positive for COVID-19 when boarding MSC Grandiosa on Sunday. But a subsequent secondary test using a type of testing that is considered to be more accurate came back negative for all five of the passengers, and they were allowed to board.
Additional resources for cruisers during the coronavirus outbreak:
- When will cruising resume? A line-by-line guide
- Why you shouldn't expect bargain-basement cruise deals anytime soon
- How to cancel or postpone a cruise due to coronavirus
- Expecting a refund for a canceled cruise? Here's how long it will take
- Some of the year's hottest new ships could be delayed
- Stream these 13 movies, television shows to get your cruise ship fix
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.