panamapd

Disembarked 2 hours ago. The cruise was wonderful!

Re the tests. We ordered ours via Nph, similar to Randox. You do the tests yourself and it doesn't have to be observed. We did the tests at 4pm on Saturday as sail away was at that time Monday. Tests took 15mins and we got the results and certificates almost immediately.  We printed the result at our hotel in Barcelona. Embarkation was at 10am and we were on the ship by 10.20. There were no issues with our tests.

Be sure to pack something white and something tropical for the theme nights

Also if you are embarking outside of the UK and disembarking in Southampton there will be an immigration check. We were only told the night before to be at the venue at 7.15am. We got there at 7.10 to be confronted by a huge queue and only 2 immigration control officers. It took about 40 mins!

Hi - I asked this very question of MSC UK. 

We are embarking MSC Virtuosa on Monday from Barcelona.  We are British citizens and are all vaccinnated.

 This ship sails at 4pm.  We were told that we have to do our antigen test at 4pm tomorrow.  The test doesn't have to be observed but we do need to present a negative certificate.  (I got this all in writing and printed off should I be told something different when we arrive!).

Received an email today which states 

Well, we were told something different by MSC UK! 

We are UK citizens and are all vaccinated.  We were told that the antigen tests don't have to be observed.  They just have to be UK/EU approved.  We were told verbally.  I have since sent an email asking the same question so I have the proof in writing!  (We are embarking Virtuosa, in Barcelona, on Monday).

To the original poster, I don't know if you have sailed with NCL but I would argue that MSC is more akin to the Norwegian ships rather than the Oasis class.  If are are familiar with NCL they have an enclave called the Haven, on the MSC ships its the yatch club.

We have sailed with all three cruise lines, along with many others.  Now we don't mind the MSC ships but of late, have found ourselves sailing more with Celebrity, Princess and Cunard.  For us, we like the Solarium on the Oasis Class.  We also like the fact that we have the "run of the ship".  With the newer Princess ships they have the Sanctuary rather than the Solarium.  However, you can chose whether or not you want to pay a bit extra to patronise that area.  On MSC, there is no option, especially on the newer ships.  You have to pay a lot more to sail in the yatch to enjoy areas at the front/bow the ship that in most part are free to use on other lines.

Hi Bea - can't believe you have had it with MSC. We have been there more or less than the start! Actually I can believe it. MSC has changed too far off for us now. Usually we would have had a few cruises booked up for next year and beyond. However we are now booked with other lines. We have a couple of Magnificas booked for next year but it really won't take much for us to cancel those!!!

The good deals and good times we had Celebrity, P&O, Royal, Cunard and VIrgin(spectacular) really put a dim light on Msc. We really have no interest in their newer ships now. The non yacht experience now is too below par for us. As our son is now older, good deals are getting harder to come by. Frankly we would rather just pay the extra and sail with another line.

Hope you get the cabin you want! 

Hi all - has anyone got an update on the vaccination requirements for children?  Frustratingly, my son turns 12 before our cruise from Southampton in December!

According the the NHS website, children are only going to be offered one dose.  I have contacted MSC and no doubt will receive conflicting replies!

Thanks all.

ps - Hi Beamafar!!

Hi ConnieTact - we couldn't decide either so are doing boyh!!  Both sailings had a good price drop so may as well. Both childcare good i  their own way. For Anthem just going with m y 11yr old as I think he'll love it. Silhouette will be with hubby and son and think it won't have as much for children. It will be classy family trip, and mainly for chilling.

Extremely un appy!!  Still have not been able to upload my passport picture.  As for booking reservations - have given up.  Even with all your input, its too time consuming.

Hope everything will be great once onboard!

Re the PCR tests.  Will the result from a test we have to do, weekly, suffice?  It will be done on Tuesday 29th June 2021.

Also, hi Barbette165 -  I will be travelling solo as well.  I was hoping to take my 11yr old but they have Celeb have said not possible.  Don't know why.  Am assuming they have reached capacity for children. So hubby and he remain at home! 

Hopefully there will be solo meet ups onboard.

Hi 8420PR - I've just booked this via the USA!!!  I had originally booked for Genoa to Malaga but as this is sailing from the UK,  at least there will be one less flight and hopefully more chances of it sailing with UK passengers!

I usually book via a German website but they only had the 8 nighter.

Thanks!!

ps. Apologies for the font and typing, laptop gone crazy!

Hi all - re single supplements.  Virgin Voyages have played a blinder!! I have to travel alone for this voyage and thought it would be too expensive.  However, I was able to book a solo fare for £479 for the 3 night voyage.  I too thought I would not get any onboard spend, or it would be reduced.  But no.  Got the same $100 obc!  

I must have struck lucky as when I looked a couple of days ago, it is now £1079 for solo sailor!!

Re P&O - really good touch adding the obc!

Well, I'm not the only one who thinks its a good price.  The insides, on most dates, are sold out.

For those sailing on MSC.  I love MSC but unless you are in the yacht club (ship within a ship concept), there is about a 1/3 of the ship that "steerage class" will not be allowed to enter.  I believe there is access all areas on the Disney Magic.

Yes, Disney is pricey but so is Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, The Ritz, the Burj, Waldorf etc, etc!!

After the year we have had money is not an issue.  Creating memories with my family is my philosophy!!

Wowzer!!

Re Preziosa - sailing from Hamburg on 21 June 2021 - Fjords and Iceland.

Due to do Med from 22 September 2021

Hi all - just a quick reply re Disney.  Happened to go online at 8.00am and was able to book an inside cabin, for 2.  It came to £818 for both of us.  Sailing on 30th August 2021 for the 2 nighter.  Such a busy summer coming up now!!

Britannia

Virtuosa

Scarlet Lady and Disney!!

What has everyone else got booked?

rare occasions!

Hi - I just made a new booking.  The one for Magnifica in October, I just requested a full refund.

Also, totally agree about booking through a travel agency.  Its only on very occasions that I book direct with MSC.

Booking via a travel agency is:-

usually lot cheaper

lower deposit

final payment is usually one month before

Hi again, Stockjock.  That is so funny!  You may remember I had booked Magnifica for 12th May 2021 for 2 nights.  It was only last week that MSC Germany finally conceded that she wouldn't be sailing.  I finally got it cancelled.  I transferred it to October 2021 on Seaside, with 100 euros obc. We had originally had Magnifica booked for October but they have actually now cancelled that.  

When was your Magnifica November booked for? 

On the MSC website it is showing Magnifica Eastern Med until 3rd November 2021, there is then a gap until 29th December 2021 where she will then be Civi......... (Rome).

Agreed.  Good price for a Disney cruise.  We booked 30th August for 2 nights for £818.  We're happy with the price.  Really thought it would be around £1600!!

Such a busy few months coming up now!

We have Britannia (2 nights)

Virgin Voyages (3 nights)

MSC Virtuosa (3 nights) and now Disney!!

Hi - I'm on the 6th August sailing, for 3 nights, which sailing have you booked?  (The roll call is taking off slowly but surely!).

The information I received from the travel agency just states negative PCR test for those under 18.

Totally disagree Motownvoice (good name by the way!).

I have had a Cunard cruise and Anthem booked.  Back in Feb/Mar (?) of this year, they were both cancelled.  I have already received my refund from Cunard.  Anthem refund is pending.

I booked MSC Magnifica in March for May this year, via MSC Germany, fully expecting it to be cancelled.  (Was hoping for onboard spend or smooth transition to replacement Virtuosa)!.  MSC UK customers were told that this cruise would be cancelled.  However, as of today, this cruise is still showing on ALL of my portals - and they expect us to embark in 24 days!!

If there was a problem with the way all of us were logging in, how is it the Cunard and Royal are able to update me in a timely manner but MSC seem to be incapable of this?!

I am a fan of MSC and feel confident of sailing this year.  However, it is with the caveat that no flights are needed!

Stockjock - that is hilarious.  Changing your port of departure to Brazil!!

Don't forget a lot of us with be on multiple sailings.  I already have four booked!  

Hi Beamafar! On other threads they have posted about similar changes to their bookings.  NAR has appeared when they login to MSC.  When I typed in acronyms on a websearch there are 53 options as to what it may mean.  I personally think it means New Access Router!

By the way, I am still booked onto the MSC Magnifica sailing for 14th May 2021.  It was the 2 night sailing, which I booked via Germany.  MSC Germany are still insisting it will be sailing!! Final payment was yesterday but I haven't paid it.  I have just left it to the travel agency to sort it out - eventually!