A family of tourists has been kicked off the Malta-bound MSC Grandiosa after leaving their organised excursion to sightsee on their own, violating the ship's new anti-Covid regulations, the company has said.

The MSC Grandiosa, is due to arrive in Valletta on Friday morning - the first cruise ship to enter the port since March after the coronavirus shutdown.

It departed from Genoa on Sunday for a seven-day tour at 70 percent passenger capacity, part of a series of measures taken to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection on board.

The unnamed Italian family had disembarked at the port of Naples on an organised day trip to the nearby island of Capri, but then left the group and ventured forth on their own despite earlier admonitions not to, MSC said. 

The family was later refused entry back on the ship. 
"By departing from the organised shore excursion, this family broke from the safe 'social bubble' that MSC Cruises created for them to safely enjoy their visit ashore, and therefore could not be permitted to re-board the ship," it said in a statement.  

It is understood around 400 passengers have bought tickets for six separate guided excursions in Malta. There will not be any trips to Gozo nor the Blue Lagoon, in Comino. 

MSC is trying to avoid problems experienced by smaller cruise operator, Norway's Hurtigruten, earlier this month, when dozens of passengers and crew tested positive for COVID-19.

Health authorities fear passengers may have infected locals at ports up and down the Norwegian coast during day trips.  

MSC said its security protocol exceeds national and industry standards. It says it pre-screens sites to be visited to make sure social distancing can be maintained, sterilises vans and buses before trips, and ensures that tour guides and drivers are properly equipped with masks.

The global cruise industry, which is slowly trying to get back on its feet after all ships were grounded in March, has been criticised by health authorities for mishandling the epidemic in its early stages.