Cruise line cuts rates for health workers

The world’s largest family owned cruise liner, MSC Cruises, has announced special discounted cruise fares for healthcare workers.

The firm said in a press release that the global programme that will run till end of next year was a way of saying “thank you” for the workers' ongoing fight against the pandemic.

The special per cabin fares will result in a discount of up to or exceeding 50 per cent off the regular rates and will be available to healthcare workers for booking from travel agents and MSC Cruises contact centres.

MSC has employed close to 500 Kenyan seafarers to work aboard its fleet of cruise ships that ply the world's oceans.

MSC Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said as a family-owned company, they have deemed it fit to find a way to express their gratitude to healthcare professionals around the world for their selfless and tireless dedication and bravery in tackling the pandemic.

He added that their work and dedication had also helped to pave the way for MSC's new health and safety operating protocol.

“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 well-being 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,’’ Mr Vago said.