MSC Cruises has followed Royal Caribbean Group and Carnival in relaxing its testing rules for short cruises.

For cruises from the US of five nights or less, fully vaccinated passengers won’t need to show proof of a negative COVID test from 8 August.

However, the cruise line still recommends guests do get tested before sailing.

Unvaccinated guests from the age of two must provide a negative NAAT or antigen test, taken with three days of departure from all US ports. All guests on cruises of six days or longer will also need to provide a NAAT or antigen test.

There has been no change in the policy that for all cruises from the US, all guests from the age of 12 must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.