Easter cruises? Yes, both from Italy and abroad

It seems that this time what happened last Christmas will not happen, when shortly before the departures (with the agencies that had already removed the tickets) the Dpcm of 3 December 2020 decreed the stop in Italy for all cruises, from 21 December until to the following 6 January. Thus – also on the basis of forecasts that at the date of writing of this article give for granted the possibility of embarking for Easter – the thematic portal Ticketcrociere returned, after his unlucky baptism last year, to propose his workhorse of the “only green area cruise», In an Italy completely covered in orange and red.

The conditions, it was said, in this second spring conditioned by Covid-19 seem more favorable than those of a few months ago. Also because article 53 of the Dpcm of 2 March 2021 allows boarding from the Italian red areas, also by virtue of the strict protocols implemented, validated by the Technical Scientific Committee, which recently received approval from the new Minister of Tourism Massimo Garavaglia. Good news, which is added to that of a few days ago, when the Ministry of the Interior responded positively to the request made by Astoi Confindustria Viaggi on the possibility of holidays abroad starting from a red zone. At this time it is therefore allowed to travel for tourism reasons to the countries included in list C of the Dpcm 2 March (including France, Austria, Greece, Iceland and Norway).

Returning from the land to the sea, what are the active routes and the procedures to be followed to enjoy an Easter cruise? To date, MSC cruises remains the only major company to have a ship operating in Italian ports – the MSC Grandiosa, which follows the Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples, Cagliari, Valletta section. Given the current wave of infections and the widespread red areas, unlike the last cruises, the Neapolitan company will ask guests for a double copy certificate certifying thenegative outcome to a Covid-19 swab antigenic or molecular carried out within 96 hours of boarding (the tampon is not required for children under two years of age). Contacted, the company replied that this is a measure that will be eliminated when conditions on the ground permit.

On the other hand, the rigorous procedures at the terminals and on board the ship have not changed, which have allowed MSC Grandiosa to continue plowing the waters of the Mediterranean in recent months: quick pre-boarding buffer and further mid cruise buffer, in addition to the numerous safety measures on board, including continuous temperature measurement, contact tracking system using smart bracelets worn by people on board, “bubble” excursions organized exclusively by the company, on-board distancing thanks to a significant reduction in guests, new ways to access restaurants and use the buffet and improved health service.

Considering that the competitor Costa Crociere it will restart from May (the company has issued a note to communicate that the first available departure of Costa Smeralda will be that of May 1st, on short or weekly itineraries along the Savona, La Spezia, Civitavecchia, Naples, Messina and Cagliari route), the only alternative for an Easter on board starting from Italy is a river cruise on the carrier CroisiEuropea. Departure scheduled for 27 from Mantua, for six nights on board the MS Michelangelo. Itinerary: Mantua, Rovinj, Porto Viro, Chioggia, Venice.

It is also possible, on the basis of current provisions, to embark April 3 from Athens with Celestyal Crystal (Celestyal Cruises), for one cruise between Greece (Athens, Rhodes, Heraklion, Santorini, Milos, Mikonos) and Turkey (Kusadasi).

All routes available on Ticketcrociere.it.