MSC Cruises has become the first international cruise operator to get certified for health and safety protocols in Japan, and plans to restart operations in April 2021.
It received safety certification for the Biosafety Management System from Japan’s maritime classification society ClassNK.
The line is now able to open sales in December for local residents for cruises homeporting in Japan.
"We are extremely pleased to have received this certification and are now confident that we will be able to restart our Japan operation serving the local market by April 2021," said Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO.
MSC Bellissima will be deployed to Japan and homeport in Yokohama.
It plans to sail six to nine-night cruises in April, May and June 2021.
"It is great news that MSC Cruises has received this certificate of approval. The Port of Yokohama is committed to cooperate accordingly for the restart of international cruises in spring 2021," said Hiroya Nakano, Director-General of City of Yokohama’s Port and Harbor Bureau.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
