28 August 2020: NHS heroes will be able to save up to 50% on cruise fares with a special global discounted programme dedicated to all front-line and back office healthcare professionals and their families.
As a special “thank you” to all healthcare heroes around the world for their ongoing selfless and tireless contribution in fighting the global pandemic, family-run MSC Cruises announced on 26 August 2020 that this exclusive offer is applicable on voyages to the end of 2021, so that when NHS staff are ready, they can enjoy a much-deserved holiday with their loved ones.
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 to 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.
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 and we want to thank them for their selfless and tireless work.
And 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. And 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, and 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 in connection with 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 7-night cruise with calls to Civitavecchia for Rome, Naples, Palermo in Sicily and Valletta in Malta, before returning to her homeport of Genoa. The ship is now halfway through her next 7-night cruise along the same Western Mediterranean itinerary.
To ensure the well-being of everyone in a post-COVID-19 world, all guests and crew members must go through comprehensive medical screening before boarding the ship, which includes universal testing for all guests and crew as well as only protected ashore excursions at each port of call.
If you’re a healthcare professional, please call us to find out more about the discounted cruise fare program.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Eligibility:
NHS and private health workers, front line and back office workers, Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, those who work in research laboratories.
Valid proof of service has to be provided at the time of the booking:
Copy of the ID card, certificate or other official identification. Proof of service has to be brought also at embarkation.
Promo details:
• Booking validity: the offer is valid for all new bookings made from 31/08/2020 till 30/04/2021; the offer is not retroactive;
• The offer is valid for all cruises departing up to 31 December 2021 (WOR cruise excluded) and it is subject to availability at the time of booking;
• The offer is available for all markets with the exception of GR and MA Restart programme open only to Schengen residents;
• Discount is per cabin and applicable to the cruise portion only;
• Discount can be cumulated to the promo rates and MSC Club discount, it cannot be combined with brochure promo targets and group rates;
• The discount is valid also for Future Cruise Credit Voucher holders only in case the new booking is made within 31/08/2020 – 30/04/2021; it is not applicable for bookings already made;
• The Health worker has to be part of the reservation, otherwise the discount may not be applied;
• If two or more cabins are booked, the discount will be applied only to the cabin the Health worker occupies;
• The same Health worker may book even more that one cruise, but he/she needs to be personally travelling;
• In case of single cabins, standard single supplement will apply;
• Standard terms and conditions will apply unless special conditions are granted at the moment of the reservation (i.e. new flexible commercial policy).
