cruiseguyinorl

1 hour ago, shipgeeks said:

She is scheduled in US from November 1, and then repositioning to Med in early March.  We had hoped to sail on her in December and January, but I get the feeling we're going to be disappointed.

Word inside is that the Armonia won't be coming back. However, there is talk of a ship taking her place. Magnifica anyone? 🤫 But as with all things MSC, it remains to be seen.

Bret

1 hour ago, PyrHeaven said:

I was referring to exactly what cruiseguyinorl stated below, since it's possible to test positive for the infection up to 90 days after you've recovered. I do think it's rare, but possible. @cruiseguyinorl - please let us know what MSC has to say. I'm genuinely curious. Thank you!! 

I received this from MSC Operations today:

Unfortunately this is not negotiable, everyone must bring a negative test with them to the pier taken no more than 2 days prior to sailing. There are certain regulations we must follow and this is one.

So no, "documentation of recovery" will not be accepted. You must have a negative test.

Bret

40 minutes ago, kelikea said:

Is MSC going to explicitly follow these CDC guidelines or are they going to still require a negative Covid test for us?

I should have answer in the next few days.

Bret

13 hours ago, PyrHeaven said:

Does MSC have any sort of policy on place if you were to test positive for Covid-19 after having the virus?

The CDC has a policy in place recommending no testing for 3 months after a positive test. Am currently waiting for confirmation for a client that MSC will accept the "documentation of recovery" mentioned below and is found here: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-3/coronavirus-cruise-ship
 

There is no such thing approved for SARS-Cov-2 as a non-rapid antigen test. Your MSC people are ill informed. Well, scared to tell you something wrong since the word rapid isn't on the script anymore. So yes, the rapid antigen test you get is fine.

They passed the simulated voyage with CDC. No idea why website hasn't updated.

Please don't hold me to this, but inside rumors have said the Armonia will not be returning to US sailings. We will only have the Seashore, Meraviglia and the Divina. Again, no official confirmation of this but I would suggest alternate plans be on standby.

Bret

So long Ocean Cay... 😧

These are the cabins I always pick. Particularly the end one next to the staircase. Occasionally you will find a crew member but not a regular thing. Also, @Susan in Maine, if you are on the Divina, make sure you pick a cabin on deck 10 or 11. Those balconies are much larger than the other decks.

Bret

Just got news about this. Not so horrible for Miami sailings where you can jump in a taxi and get to the pier. But they just stranded a significant number of my clients sailing out of Port Canaveral on the Divina. With the port an hour away from the Orlando Airport, the taxi thing doesn't really work. And yes, I know there are private companies that do transfers. It just becomes very inconvenient for those already with booked cruiseline transfers (which they will be canceling) as now money has to be refunded and we know how long that can take with MSC.

By the way, in case anyone wonders, they are saying the reason for this is transfers aren't able to be socially distanced. I tried pointing out that the folks coming in on a plane definitely would not be socially distanced before getting on a bus, so does it really matter? I have taken the concern as high as a Director level so far. We will see if anything comes of it. Also, just for clarification, this only affects the Divina through October 30th and the Meraviglia through mid-November.

1 hour ago, Até said:

Could you ask if MSC has any details about these insurance policies, rather than just this general overview link?  There should be an actual policy available.  I can't understand how MSC can be selling these insurance policies without providing any specifics.  I attached a copy of the old policy details below, this type of information is what I'm looking for.

@Até I provided a different document on this other thread.

1 hour ago, Até said:

I've been trying to find the specifics on these insurance policies for a while now, the quickie coverage summary on the MSC site is totally inadequate.  I can't see how MSC can be charging people for the policy and not providing the actual policy terms.

Maybe this will help? Still just a summary, not the full policy, but a bit more detailed.

Insurance_final.pdf

1 hour ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Our TA told us this morning that 2 of her vaccinated passengers sailing on MSC went and got their own test prior to going to the port and found out they were positive. MSC wanted them to come to the port to be tested again. Her clients, wisely, refused to jeopardized other passengers, filled out the health questionnaire and provided the cruise line with positive  test result and was issued a FCC.

Per cruise line policy, they should have been issued a refund if they had wanted it assuming this was a Caribbean/Bahamas cruise. The cruise line may have wanted to give their own test which is why the FCC.

Sailings on or before October 31, 2021 will be provided MSC Cruises COVID-19 Reassurance at no extra charge (with required proof of vaccination) as it relates to COVID-19 protection services.

Full coverage is here: https://www.msccruisesusa.com/-/media/usa/documents/insurance_final.pdf

1 hour ago, phissy said:

For those cruising the Caribbean with port stop in Bahamas , The country is now requiring Covid 19 test for everyone wanting to enter the country. effective August 6.
Wonder if Covid Rapid test MSC administers at embarkation would suffice?

Not quite correct. This requirement does not apply to cruises originating in the US with a port stop. See below:

Guests on cruises that originate in and return to The Bahamas must apply for a Bahamas Travel Health Visa and comply with the following:

Vaccinated persons must provide a negative PCR test OR rapid antigen test taken no more than five days before the date of arrival to The Bahamas. Unvaccinated persons must obtain a negative PCR test taken no more than five days before the date of arrival to The Bahamas.

Those guests on a cruise that originated in the United States do not need to comply with the above but instead must comply with the rules laid out by the cruise lines, as the Bahamian government has approved these. Those going on a cruise or traveling to the Bahamas after August 6 but already have a Bahamas Travel Health Visa do not need to worry, as the requirements will be waived in this case.

Bret

I don't really consider them balconies. Lol. More like "take a step out and get some fresh air" cabins. They are the only aft cabins that are Bella though. So if you are looking for the upgraded view versus the balcony use, they are great. I wonder if anyone remembers when the Divina first came out and the water from the infinity pool above spilled onto those balconies. 😲 They finally stopped completely  filling up that pool so that doesn't occur anymore.

Bret

Per MSC Cruises Marine Operations as of a month ago, I was advised they will be using Terminal 10. Of course with all things MSC, things Most Surely Change.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cruise+Terminal+10/@28.4113036,-80.6289368,19z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0xd94ae98f8346c10a

Maybe this will help:

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/-/media/usa/documents/insurance_final.pdf

22 hours ago, codeyell0 said:

Better how?  a whole floor moved? 

Even though it is a lower deck, they were moved to Deck 5 Bella Oceanview. The OV cabins on Deck 5 are some of the largest cabins onboard the Divina other than suites. Deck 8 OV are extremely small. And there only about 28 of them. Clients that were in balconies on that deck were not moved.

I had numerous guests removed from the Bella Oceanview Deck 8 cabins on the Divina. Didn't inquire further as the reassigned cabins were better.

@amygutman As long as it lists you as Done, you are. As one who has sailed on MSC at least 15 times (mostly on the Divina), I can tell you they will retake your picture at the pier whether you have uploaded it or not. Don't stress over it. I do see that the website for web check-in is down at the moment, so I guess things could be different when it comes back. I've always said that MSC stand for Most Surely Changes.

Bret

The latest information can be found here, https://www.msccruisesusa.com/health-and-safety-measures/caribbean-cruises which is where I'm guessing you saw the mask requirement. Things could change so keep an eye on it. The information has changed several times already since they first posted this page several weeks ago.

Bret

Yes, the Meraviglia departed yesterday at 6 PM on her test cruise with employees and family volunteers. Today she visited Ocean Cay.

Bret

A small sale starts tomorrow. Balconies for an inside cabin price. But...only on the Meraviglia sailings 8/2 - 9/13. I guess though a balcony on a 3 night starting at $179 isn't bad.

Bret

On 6/11/2021 at 7:14 AM, dexddd said:

Do they use a particular pier in Port Canaveral and is it same with a YC tent and room?

The plan as of a few months ago was to use Terminal #10. Didn't ask about the YC.

Bret

On 5/7/2021 at 5:06 PM, Até said:

When using Terminal F MSC has a nice, separated YC waiting area but I'm not sure about what they use/d for the Terminal G departures.  I'm pretty sure the 2022 MSC Terminals AA/AAA, or whatever it will be called, will have special YC areas.  Anyone heard an update on completion date?

Per MSC Cruises USA Operations, it has been postponed until sometime in 2023. But as with all things MSC, that could change at any time.

Bret