Sam34jolly

I went to Malta for a one week cruise this week. We were stamped in and out of Malta so I lost 8 days from my 90 days. In a few weeks we are sailing from Southampton to a few European destinations. We won't be stamped leaving the UK. But I've been told that when we arrive at the ports, we won't get our passports stamped as we are just day visitors. So I won't lose any days off my allowance. I'll provide confirmation after the cruise.

The most stupid of the covid rules was the one where we had to wear a mask on the flight home. TUI said that we didn't have to wear one, but as it was a P & O charter wearing one was compulsory. The cruise review form (which used to be placed in the cabin on the last night) seems to have also gone.

Our launderette on deck 5 was also open.

A laundry service was available. I seem to remember a notice offering it at £35. I always take a blue washing tablet with me for use in their laundry room.

I just returned from the Azura. These are the changes that you will find on board. Some have been mentioned before. There is no evening turn down service. So you can forget your chocolate on the pillar. There isn't a photographer on board. There isn't a captain's welcome party. You get a glass of fizz on the welcome party instead, but if you are on for two weeks you won't get another one. They don't supply you with any port maps or guidance any more. Sports equipment has to be prebooked on the day at their Sports Hub. You only get after dinner mints on formal nights. You have to wear a mask when travelling inside the ship, and in the Playhouse, and whilst dancing. You don't need one when you are eating and drinking. Someone mentioned about not being issued with flight details. We were given a flight time and received the seat numbers at checkin at the airport.

You don't bypass customs /border control. You have to get your passport stamped like every other visitor to Malta. You will also have to pick up your cases at the airport and drop them off (they got on the back of a truck and are taken to your cabin) when you board the coach to the ship.

I'd better just point out his was for my visit for Trieste. Other port authorities may be different.

Back from the cruise. We needed the Malta Passenger Locator Form, although the authorities didn't seem to want to check those who were on the cruise. So that was 2 hours work wasted. An Italian Locator Form on this cruise was not required as they have now decided that you not need one if you are visiting a intermediate port. So they will only be needed if the embarkment or disembarkment is from an Italian location.

I never thought about docking in Italy. Thanks

I'm flying into Malta on Thursday for a cruise on the Azura. The first page of the PLF asks how we will be travelling. Aircraft or cruise ship (other options are also there) So yes, I'm travelling by aircraft and yes I'm going on a ship. I'm unsure which one should be pressed. A friend of our on the cruise had their PLF filled in by a travel agents. They pressed cruise but I still think that it should have been aircraft and show the cruise as the temporary accommodation. Can anyone help?