Malta’s Cruise Industry on Edge as France Locks Down 1,700 on Ship

Imagine, for a moment, being one of the 1,700 passengers and crew aboard the Costa Fascinosa, anchored off the French Riviera. The sun is setting, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, but the mood on board is far from picturesque. You’ve just heard the news: a 90-year-old passenger has died from COVID-19, and now, you’re all confined to your cabins, awaiting test results. This is not a scene from a Hollywood thriller, but a reality playing out right now, with implications that reach our very own Maltese shores.

Malta’s Cruise Industry: A Sinking Feeling

Malta’s cruise industry is no stranger to the global pandemic’s impact. In 2019, we welcomed over 1.5 million cruise passengers, contributing significantly to our economy. But this year, the story is vastly different. The Costa Fascinosa, for instance, was supposed to make a stop in Valletta this week, but those plans are now in jeopardy. The Grand Harbour, typically bustling with activity, is eerily quiet, a stark reminder of the industry’s precarious state.

Local cruise operator, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has been vocal about the challenges faced. Their ships, including the MSC Grandiosa, have been turned away from ports across Europe due to fears of COVID-19 outbreaks. The company has since suspended all cruises until further notice, leaving Maltese businesses that rely on the industry high and dry.

Testing Times: The Race for a Vaccine

As the world watches and waits, the race for a COVID-19 vaccine intensifies. Malta, with its strategic location and strong healthcare system, is set to play a significant role in distributing any successful vaccine. Our very own University of Malta is involved in clinical trials for a potential vaccine, giving us hope that we might soon see the end of this pandemic.

But until then, the cruise industry, and indeed the world, is left in limbo. The Costa Fascinosa incident serves as a stark reminder that we’re not out of the woods yet. It’s a harsh reality check for Malta, where the cruise industry contributes around €100 million to our GDP annually.

: A New Normal for Cruising

So, what does the future hold for Malta’s cruise industry? It’s a question on everyone’s minds, from Valletta’s port workers to the local businesses that rely on cruise passenger spending. The answer, it seems, lies in a new normal for cruising. Strict health protocols, including mandatory testing and social distancing, are likely to become the norm. Some cruise lines are already implementing these measures, with MSC Cruises announcing plans to resume sailings in the Mediterranean this August, with enhanced health and safety protocols.

In the meantime, the Costa Fascinosa remains anchored off the French coast, a floating microcosm of the world’s collective anxiety. The passengers and crew, like the rest of us, are left to wait and wonder. But one thing is clear: the cruise industry, and indeed the world, is eager to set sail towards a post-pandemic future.

“We’ve weathered storms before,” says Joe Borg, a veteran cruise industry worker in Valletta. “This one might be bigger, but we’ll navigate it, just like we always do.”