travel requirements for Egypt, Red Sea & Saudi Arabia cruises

Ancient rock-carved tombs in a desert landscape under a clear blue sky | MSC Cruises
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.

 

Last updated: 17th April 2023

 


MEASURES TO EMBARK 

Starting from February 12, 2023 all Guests (of any age) are no longer required to provide a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or pre-boarding test.

For embarkation or transit in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) all Saudi Arabian passport holders (age 12 and above) must be fully vaccinated according to the Covid-19 Saudi Arabian reulations.

All Crew members are required to be fully vaccinated and are regularly screened according to MSC Cruises Health & Safety protocol.

For more information visit our FAQ section.

 

Please click here to check the requirements for MSC Grand Voyages cruises.

OTHER TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there might be international travel restrictions depending on your cruise destination and your country of residence.


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.

Guests’ passports need to have a minimum of 6 months validity at the time of travel. A transit e- Visa is requested to enter the country by paying a fee. We are currently working with local authorities in order to eliminate or reduce such cost. Transit e-Visa request can be submitted only few days before the day of call. More information will follow as soon as possible.

Other requirements such as a COVID-19 test  a 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. For more information, it is recommended to check your country’s competent authorities official channels.

 

To verify all the required documents, passports and visas for your cruise, please click here.

As during a cruise, you may be exposed to specific COVID-19 risks that may not be usually covered by existing insurance policies, to ensure your peace of mind is strongly recommended – for all new reservations from 1 July 2022 onwards - for all guests to have in place an insurance policy that specifically covers them against COVID-19 related risks, such as cancellation, interruption, repatriation expenses, quarantine, medical assistance and related expenses, as well as hospitalization. If you have no insurance in place, please note that you might be exposed to additional costs that could not be covered by the Company.

The insurance should be in place to cover you and your family, from the confirmation of your booking until the end of the cruise, your cruise and flight or your Stay & Cruise package.

To fully protect you from the above risks, MSC offers a COVID Protection Plan - an insurance policy specifically designed for these COVID-19 risks - that can be added to the cruise whilst making the booking. The Covid Protection Plan is applicable to all departures on sales. Before finalizing the reservation, it will be possible to add to the cruise the MSC COVID-19 Protection plan at the price of 29€ per person.

Alternatively, you may travel with another insurance policy covering the above risks.


GOING ASHORE & TRAVELLING BACK HOME

Guests are 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.

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. For more information, it is recommended to check your country’s competent authorities official channels. 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.