Levanah

I agree that the lack of tenders on this class of ship is a significant design shortfall. In addition, itineraries include Isafjordur when being able to port is doubtful.

Looking forward to Southampton to Reykjavik on May 12 on the Prima. Last I communicated with the Isafjordur tourism office a a few weeks ago, they say the dredging project in the port should be ready for the 2024 season, but no firm promises. I am hoping we are able to port in Isafjordur and that it doesn’t turn out to be a sea day. Anyone have any information on the dredging port project? Seems odd that the ship did not build with boats that can both tender and serve as lifeboats. I can’t wait to see how the sea walk works in Geiranger!

I emailed the tourism office for Westfiords about the status of the dredging in the Isafjordur port and received a prompt reply this week. They are currently still working on the dredging and apparently the contractors doing the work have promised they will be ready for the coming cruise season. We will be on the Prima scheduled to port there on May 21. I am prepared to be disappointed but this is the most hopeful news I’ve heard for quite a while about this project. Fingers crossed - we may actually make it this year.

I have received a prompt reply from the westfjords tourism office. The dredging project is not yet finished but the authorities apparently have promised that it will be finished for the upcoming cruise season. My contact says it does look “very promising”. While nothing is certain yet, this is the best news I’ve seen in awhile for this port. Fingers crossed!

Edinburgher, thank you! I’ve been thinking of emailing the office and will do so. By the way, we LOVE Edinburgh and have visited three times. Our last visit to Scotland (which included time in the Orkneys) ended with a very memorable Sunday roast in Newtown not far from where the ship was docked. My own heritage is a mix of Scots/Welsh/English and I am always drawn to visit the UK. Take care…

Does anyone know of the status of the port construction at the Isafjordur port? The Norwegian Prima is scheduled to call at port on May 21. The last progress I heard was sometime in January when apparently more dredging was needed to accommodate larger ships like the Prima. Thanks!

Thanks, dbenson and Bird! Really looking forward to our sail away out of Athens on the Jade on September 18. After several busy days in Athens pre cruise, it will nice to board and chill for lunch in the MDR.

We usually enjoy early breakfast in the main dining room on disembarkation day, but I am wondering if it will be open. It looks as if the main dining room no longer opens on EMBARKATION day which is a disappointment. We may be headed to the Garden Cafe on the day we leave the ship.

Since we are departing on the Jade on 18 September, we are watching all related news very carefully. I have checked the reopen Europa website several times and find it confusing. It appears to reference an earlier time when NO cruises were allowed. It just looks like sloppy wording to me. Regardless of what it says, we are following NCL’s rules. The only different news I see as of yesterday is that there is no longer a statement regarding a required in person proctored test to board as opposed to a proctored online test such as Emed. We are planning according to the most stringent requirements, anyway. Will bring the Emed tests and also schedule the hotel-arranged doc to do the test in our room. Time will tell closer to sail date. The whole thing, indeed, is maddening.

I am pretty good finding technical and/or obscure stuff online, but I have been unable to find clear, detailed information related to requirements for Greece on a government or tourism website. I’ve searched several times. Apparently Emed testing is not accepted, so we will be looking for the closest pharmacy to our hotel in Athens for an antigen test while we are there ahead of the September 18 Jade embarkation. I keep hoping these protocol are relaxed before we leave, but not counting on it.

Hi Thera, Hey neighbor, yes we are on the Jade. We will be in Athens for 6 days prior to the cruise, so plenty of time to get tested. Will probably get a test on Saturday since we are on a day trip to Delphi on Friday. I’m not concerned about finding a test, but it’s a little anxiety producing for the flight and days before embarkation trying to avoid COVID. We came back from Amsterdam in April (disembarked from the Dawn)and I was positive when I got home but it was probably from two very crowded museums in Amsterdam. Thankfully, it was fairly minor. Can’t wait to board the Jade!

NCL

We are embarking at Piraeus on September 18 and were planning to use EMed video proctored tests (Binax Now) two days prior in Athens. We have previously used the EMed product and it has been excellent in terms of ease of use in a hotel room and prompt documentation provided. My understanding is that this proctored product is not allowed in Piraeus even though video proctored. We plan to find a test at a pharmacy in Athens which apparently is very easy to find.