It’s every guest’s responsibility to verify the travel requirements before the cruise departure. MSC Cruises has worked with the authorities in all of the regions and countries in which the ships operate to ensure its protocol meets and exceed the required health and safety measures. The below details are subject to change. 

Before booking your cruise, please check HERE if you are allowed to embark according to your country of residence. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there might be international travel restrictions depending on your cruise destination and your country of residence.

The below requirements are valid for current and following sailings (health and safety measures are subject to change and will adapt according to the evolution of the pandemic).

Please note that all Guests over 12 years old will need to follow one of these requirements to be allowed on board.   

• Be fully vaccinated AND provide a certificate of a negative RT-PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours before embarkation. Guests must bring the valid negative test certificate with them to the terminal. If you embark on your cruise at 15:00 on a Saturday, you should take your COVID-19 test on the Thursday as of 15:00. 

• Have recovered from COVID-19 within the last 180 days and have a verification certificate or QR Code confirming as such AND provide a certificate of a negative RT-PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours before embarkation. If you embark on your cruise at 15:00 on a Saturday, you should take your COVID-19 test on the Thursday as of 15:00. 

Guests 2-11 years of age must present a negative RT-PCR or antigen test taken within 48 hours before embarkation. Guests must bring the valid negative test certificate with them to the terminal. There are no testing or vaccination requirements for guests under 2 years of age. 

Guests are considered fully vaccinated if:  

Within the last 9 months and 14 or more days prior to departure they have completed two set of vaccines in accordance with local regulations including Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax.  (all Guests 12 years or older vaccinated with “Janssen” (Johnson & Johnson) are now required mandatory a second shot 14 days prior ship’s departure in order to be considered as “fully vaccinated”). A “mix-and-match” combination of the above list of vaccines is also accepted. If more than 9 months (270 days) have passed since receiving the two set of vaccine shots, a booster vaccine will be required to embark with the exception of guests ages 12-17. Starting from 14th of May, a booster dose is not mandatory for guests between the ages of 12 and 17 years old. Guests ages 12-17 are considered fully vaccinated if they have completed the primary vaccination cycle - 2 DOSES OF VACCINE (in accordance with local regulations). 

Guests who have received the full set of vaccines and have either received a booster shot or recovered from Covid-19 are considered fully vaccinated and their certificate is considered valid without an expiration date.

Guests who recovered from Covid-19 with one shot of vaccine are considered as fully vaccinated (it will be necessary to provide a QR or alternative validation documentation). The vaccination certificate must be valid for the duration of the entire cruise. 

To note: Antigen self-test is not accepted for embarkation.

Additional Requirements for Germany

**Two doses of a non European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved vaccine plus an European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved booster (including Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax) will be accepted for embarkation only if Guests provide a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate or equivalent or an antigen test taken 24 hours prior arrival in Germany. 

Additional Requirements for Southampton (UK) 

All Guests (2 years old and over) embarking on MSC Virtuosa, need to provide a certificate of a negative Antigen/Lateral Flow Test or RT-PCR test taken within the 2 days before the day of embarkation. Antigen self-tests are accepted as long as they’re accompanied by an official certificate/email (some of the suppliers that are accepted: Randox, Expresstest, Collinsons, ect.). NHS certificates not accepted..

Additional Requirements for Guests embarking and in transit in Lisbon (Portugal) 

**Two doses of a non European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved vaccine plus an European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved booster (including Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax) will be accepted for embarkation only if Guests provide a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate or equivalent or an antigen test taken 24 hours prior arrival Lisbon.

The original test and vaccination certificate must be presented at the terminal (paper or electronic format) and must be in one of the following languages: English, Italian, German, French or Spanish. The COVID 19 test certificate must contain: guest’s personal data (verifiable with the other travel documents), date of the test, identification / contact details of the centre that performed the analysis, technique used and negative test result.

Before booking your cruise, please check HERE if you are allowed to embark according to your country of residence. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there might be international travel restrictions depending on your cruise destination and your country of residence.

A COVID-19 test or Passenger locator form (PLF) may still be necessary for national or international mobility requirement: it’s every guest’s responsibility to verify this requirement before departure. 

The wearing of face masks is highly recommended. In certain circumstances this recommendation might be due to a mandatory requirement in accordance with applicable health authorities regulations of a country or port of call visited. When ashore, guests must also follow any local regulations regarding face mask usage. These protocols are subject to change.

Additional Requirements for Germany 

For Guests embarking or in transit in a German port: 

Two doses of a non European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved vaccine plus an European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved booster (including Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax) will be accepted for embarkation only if Guests provide a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate or equivalent or an antigen test taken 24 hours prior arrival in Germany. 

Additional Requirements for Southampton (UK) 

All Guests (2 years old and over) embarking on MSC Virtuosa, need to provide a certificate of a negative Antigen/Lateral Flow Test or RT-PCR test taken within the 2 days before the day of embarkation. Antigen self-tests are accepted as long as they’re accompanied by an official certificate/email (some of the suppliers that are accepted: Randox, Expresstest, Collinsons, ect.). NHS certificates not accepted. 

Additional Requirements for Guests embarking and in transit in Lisbon (Portugal) 

- Two doses of a non European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved vaccine plus an European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved booster (including Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax) will be accepted for embarkation only if Guests provide a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate or equivalent or an antigen test taken 24 hours prior arrival in Lisbon. 

Additional Requirements for Guests going ashore or disembarking in Belgium.

To go ashore or to disembark in Belgium: guests travelling from a country outside the Schengen Area or European Union that is not is not included in the “white list” as per Belgium authorities are required to complete the BEL PLF and submit online prior to arrival to the cruise. (guests staying onboard the ship in Zeebrugge DO NOT need to complete the BEL PLF)

Belgium: https://www.info-coronavirus.be/​ Additional information to fill in your Belgian e-PLF:​​ 

- Identification of the vessel: MSC Magnifica

​- Residential address: Street: MSC Magnifica, Number: 9387085, Box (=Pier number): 702, Zip/postal code: 8380, City: Zeebrügge

To ensure peace of mind, MSC Cruises requires all guests to have a specific and mandatory Covid-19 insurance policy to embark, covering against COVID-19 related risks, i.e cancellation, interruption, repatriation expenses, quarantine, medical assistance and related expenses, as well as hospitalization. Before finalizing a reservation, it is possible to add to the cruise on this website the MSC COVID-19 Protection plan to all departures on sales from 2021-2022 Winter season onwards. A proof of the specific COVID-19 coverage insurance policy - which must be in one of the following languages English, Italian, German, French or Spanish - must be presented at embarkation or boarding will be denied.

• A printed copy of the embarkation form (available in your cruise ticket)
• A printed copy of the mandatory health questionnaire duly completed and signed within 6 hours prior to the embarkation (available in your cruise ticket)
• The original test results certificate and vaccination certificate (paper or electronic format)must indicate that complete vaccination / booster has taken place within the last 9 months.
• A proof of COVID-19 insurance clearly showing the COVID-19 risks coverage
• A valid identity document

• Symptoms i.e fever (>37.5 C / 99.5 F), cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle/body aches, fatigue, headache, sore throat and loss of taste/smell in the 14 days prior to embarkation
• Potential exposure to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID 19 in the 14 days prior to embarkation
• Temporary travel restrictions based on local circumstances. For example, certain countries may deny visas or prohibit entry based on travel history or nationality.
• Failure to provide the proof of the mandatory COVID-19 insurance policy (which must be in one of the following languages: English, Italian, German, French or Spanish)

A COVID-19 test or Passenger locator form (PLF) may still be necessary for national or international mobility requirement: it’s every guest’s responsibility to verify this requirement before departure. 

Starting from April 1, 2022 Guests will be able to go ashore independently according to local requirements which are continually monitored and subject to change. Guests who are travelling with unvaccinated children are also able to go ashore independently. For the best ashore experience, we recommend all guests explore destinations with the comfort, convenience, and safety of an MSC Cruises Shore Excursion, bookable pre-cruise and on board. More information in the FAQ section.

Additional Requirements for Germany

Two doses of a non European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved vaccine plus an European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved booster (including Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax) will be accepted for embarkation only if Guests provide a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate or equivalent or an antigen test taken 24 hours prior arrival in Germany. 

Additional Requirements for Southampton (UK) 

All Guests (2 years old and over) embarking on MSC Virtuosa, need to provide a certificate of a negative Antigen/Lateral Flow Test or RT-PCR test taken within the 2 days before the day of embarkation. Antigen self-tests are accepted as long as they’re accompanied by an official certificate/email (some of the suppliers that are accepted: Randox, Expresstest, Collinsons, ect.). NHS certificates not accepted. 

Additional Requirements for Guests going ashore in Lisbon (Portugal) 

- Two doses of a non European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved vaccine plus an European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved booster (including Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax) will be accepted to go ashore only if Guests provide a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate or equivalent or an antigen test taken 24 hours prior arrival in Lisbon.

To go ashore or to disembark in Belgium: guests travelling from a country outside the Schengen Area or European Union that is not is not included in the “white list” as per Belgium authorities are required to complete the BEL PLF and submit online prior to arrival to the cruise. (guests staying onboard the ship in Zeebrugge DO NOT need to complete the BEL PLF)

For more information, it is recommended to check your country’s competent authorities official channels and the following websites:​

• Belgium: https://www.info-coronavirus.be/​ Additional information to fill in your Belgian e-PLF:​
  -Identification of the vessel: MSC Magnifica​
  -Residential address: Street: MSC Magnifica, Number: 9387085, Box (=Pier number): 702, Zip/postal code: 8380, City: Zeebrügge​

French residents returning from Green List Countries are not required to show a negative RT-PCR or Antigent test within 48hours prior to arrival. If a test is required by the airline this can be performed on board. French residents returning from orange list countries are required to show a negative 48hours test.  

It is the responsibility of each Guest to ensure they are in compliance with any local regulations related to COVID-19 testing when returning to their final post cruise destination.