MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys received attestation from RINA for their application of diversity and inclusion ISO standards, becoming the first cruise lines to do so.
In a press release, MSC explained that the two brands received attestation for their application of the international guidelines ISO 30415:2021 – Human Resources Management – Diversity and Inclusion following an independent third-party assessment by RINA.
The certification recognizes the steps MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys have taken to apply these principles across the organization.
It was formally presented to the company on October 27, 2026, onboard the MSC Grandiosa in La Spezia, in the presence of Magali Bertolucci, vice president – people development, diversity, inclusion & wellbeing, cruise division of MSC Group, and Emanuele Castagno, RINA’s executive vice president certification.
“At MSC Cruises, diversity is part of who we are. Every day, people with unique cultures, backgrounds, abilities and experiences work together on our ships and in our offices. For us, inclusion means valuing these differences and creating a workplace where everyone feels part of the team and can be at their best,” said Bertolucci.
“We are really proud to be the first cruise line to receive this certification from RINA. It recognizes the work we have already done on diversity and inclusion, while giving us an independent perspective on where we can improve. Above all, it encourages us to keep building on this work and do more for our people.”
The process began in 2023 with a gap analysis and culminated in 2026 with the award of the attestation.
RINA conducted its assessment across several MSC and Explora offices and ships to verify their alignment with the guidelines, which presented a particular challenge given their global operations and the wide range of stakeholders involved, according to the press release.
Castagno added that the two brands have demonstrated a clear vision and a strong commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion, translating these values into tangible action.
The efforts span a range of initiatives involving teams across the company and external stakeholders, including the Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Committee, which brings together external experts and internal colleagues to regularly review progress and recommend next steps.
Furthermore, the companies also exchanged good practices and learnings from their experience.
New HR policies and processes have also been introduced to foster inclusion throughout the employee journey, from recruitment and career development to the end of employment.
