The container shipping company MSC Group's subsidiary MSC Cruises confirmed its winter 2021 season in Brazil after the green light from local health authority Anvisa for the resumption of cruises in the country following a 20-month pause due to the COVID crisis.
3 of MSC's largest ships are deployed in Brazil (homeported in Santos-Sao Paulo) for winter 2021-22 (November-March) - Preziosa, Splendida, Seaside. This will be the first-ever season of MSC Seaside in the country.
MSC's return to Brazil is further evidence of the phased restart that saw the cruise company lead the industry’s resumption in August 2020 in the Mediterranean. It also aligns with the long-established leadership of the line in the country that will see the extension of the continued MSC deployment into the winter season with the reopening of a major market.
The Cruise Division of MSC Group welcomed the decision by the government of South Africa that cruise ships will be able to operate in winter 2021 in line with national health protocols after the cruise industry’s shutdown in 2020 as a result of the global health crisis.
MSC is now waiting for the additional specific guidelines of the government for the resumption of cruises for South Africans and it will soon reconfirm the schedule of voyages planned for the 2021-2022 season.
MSC has 12 liners operating across the world with plans for up to 15 to be operational for the 2021 winter season.