MSC anti body

20 hours ago, hamrag said:

Absolutely, and as a UK resident the rules MSC have imposed seem fair to me. I speak as one who, under current rules for Schengen territories, may not be able to board the cruise we have booked for November.

 

The UK Government has given the middle finger to Europe for years, and for some reason believe we are still a world power.....nope, we have given Europe cause to ignore our constant whingeing! 

Interesting comments, however, European Maritime Law requires Shipping Companies operating in European Ports, including MSC, to act and operate in accord with European Law.....NOT MAKE UP their own rules....Are MSC doing so? the short answer is NO. They are making up the rules in breach of a whole raft of Laws. European Law dictates that Residents of EU members are allowed free movement and travel when in possession of a EU Covid Vaccination Certificate. NO Member state has introduced ANY additional requirements.....what gives MSC that right? Are they a higher authority than a State ? 

MSC have revamped the itinery for the Virtuosa and are now calling to CAdiz insted of Casablanca because of Safety Concerns...but a Moroccan citizen can jon the cruise in Barcelona after 30 September without a PCR test...absolutely amazing logic

1 hour ago, doconner said:

I'm in a confusing situation.  I'm a US/UK Dual Citizen, and have booked the cruise through the a US travel agent, even though I'm currently residing in the UK.  I'm booked on a cruise out of Rome in mid October.  

Current rules seem to say that US passengers need either PCR or anti-gen test, but UK passengers are only allowed PCR tests.    

Not only is an antigen test cheaper, but I can pay for a walk in test on Wednesday night that give a time frame sufficient for flight to Italy on Thursday and boarding ship on Friday.  Since PCR tests are send away, I don't think I could trust the timing of having a single test cover both arrival to Italy and boarding the ship.  

I'm wondering if the fact that I booked through the US site, and can provide a US address, means I could manage with an antigen test.

They have made such a dogs dinner of this who would know. Presently, the PCR test requirement appears to be only on the Irish and British web sites and it is therefore based on RESIDENCE. 

8 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

As the UK has left the EU, their citizens no longer enjoy the rights and protections that the EU affords its members.

Of course, put in post for example only. But they are flying in the face of EU law in relation to requirement being applied only to Irish residents while residents of other EU nations have their EU Covid Cert respected and accepted in line with the underlying principles which allows free movement and travel. Worse still they will probably get away with it. I wonder would Ryanair get away with requiring Germans to have a PCR test before boarding a plane. I can only imagine the out cry, unfortunetly in Ireland we tend to take crap on the chin. 

12 hours ago, Babaduck said:

 

Missing the point.

EU consumer laws provides the following key rights:

1. You have the right to truthful advertising
2. You have the right to have faulty goods repaired or replaced
3. You have the right to contracts without unfair clauses
4. You have the right to return most goods purchased online within 14 days
5. You have the right to access goods and services on the same terms as local customers
6. You have the right to free assistance from European Consumer Centres for problems with a trader based within the EU/EEA

How does the new requiremnt safeguard public Health? 

Observation :  the ship has 100 vaccinated passengers, 10 Irish, 10 British and 80 made up of German, French, Spanish and Italians. Where does the highest risk lie ? 20% tested or 80% untested! The policy is not proportionate and could not be viewed as necessary to protect public health unless the majority of passengers booked on the ships are Irish and British. I would have no objection to it if it applied to ALL passengers. 

In addition, if a Member state, where the Cruise is calling to collect and drop off passengers,  has not restricted the Travel rights of EU Vac Cert holders and chosen not to impose additional requirements (PCR tests in the preceeding 72 hours) how can such action be justified by a commercial company.

MSC are riding rough shod over the rights of Covid Vaccine Certificate holders simply because they reside in Ireland or GB. 

I found the new requirements for Irish and British residents arbitrary and unjust and therefore contacted GROW-YOUR-EUROPE-ADVICE@ec.europa.eu which is a consumers affairs Division of the EU Commission, highlighting the * and PCR test required by Irish and British residents"

Their response is posted as received below - 

"EU law on the EU Digital COVID Certificate (Regulation (EU) 2021/953) covers the use of the certificate to facilitate travel within the Union during the COVID-19 pandemic. It does not prescribe or prohibit other uses for the certificate. The EU Digital COVID Certificate serves as proof of vaccination, testing and recovery, which can be used across EU Member States, and the EEA countries Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, as well as Switzerland. When travelling, every EU Digital COVID Certificate holder will have the same rights as citizens of the visited Member State who were vaccinated, tested or recovered from COVID-19. Member States may not impose additional restrictions to free movement, unless they are necessary and proportionate for the purpose of safeguarding public health.

In your case, it appears that the restriction is not being imposed by a Member State. Rather, it is being imposed by the cruise company. We recommend that you refer this matter to the European Consumer Centre in Ireland for assistance in ensuring that your rights as the holder of an EU digital covid certificate are respected - https://www.eccireland.ie/consumers-rights/complaints/cross-border-complaint/ "

Posted for the benefit of affected MSC cruise passengers.
 

On 9/17/2021 at 1:54 PM, Beamafar said:

 

EXTRACT FROM MSC GERMANY 21?09/2021. NOTE ONLY ONE DOC REQUIRED

NOTE : IMPORTANT COVID-19 INFORMATION / PRE-EMBARKATION MEASURES AND HEALTH CHECK-IN - TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS Please note that for all cruises in the coming months, one of the following documents must be presented before embarkation (applies from July 1st, 2021): Fully vaccinated: All persons are considered fully vaccinated from the 14th day after administration of all necessary Covid-19 vaccine doses (accepted vaccines are Biontech / Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson). The proof of the complete vaccination of the person applies. All persons who have only received one dose of vaccine because they have already survived Covid-19 disease and are in possession of all the necessary medical evidence are also considered fully vaccinated. Recovered: Evidence is required that recovery from Covid 19 disease was no longer than 180 days ago. Negatively tested persons: A negative Covid-19 test proof (PCR or antigen test) applies within 48 hours before embarkation (not required for passengers under 2 years of age).

52 minutes ago, MSC anti body said:

As the UK is no longer an EU member their residents no longer have the protection of the EU, so there is probably no issue with imposing any rules they want. But Ireland is part of the EU and a member of the EU open travel deal....can they impose this on them. Shouldnt MSC as a EU registered Company be required to respect the EU directives and not discriminate against one nation member? 

From Irish Citizens Advice

EU consumer laws provide you with the following key rights:

1. You have the right to truthful advertising
2. You have the right to have faulty goods repaired or replaced
3. You have the right to contracts without unfair clauses
4. You have the right to return most goods purchased online within 14 days
5. You have the right to access goods and services on the same terms as local customers
6. You have the right to free assistance from European Consumer Centres for problems with a trader based within the EU/EEA

MSC appear, at face value, to be breaching 3 and 5 above if same conditions are not imposed on residents of all member states!!!! Any Legal Gurus out there with an opinion? 

3 minutes ago, sidari said:

But only mentioned some six months on.

Its under useful information on the General Information Tab on their Global Website......

3 minutes ago, MSC anti body said:

A letter issued to all agents on 21 April 2021

"During your cruise you will meet staff throughout the ship who provide you with excellent service. They are supported by just as many staff and crew who work hard behind the scenes to ensure you enjoy every moment onboard.
Starting on 1 April 2021 - for all new reservations on Winter 2021-22 departures and onwards -  Hotel Service Charge will become mandatory as an integrated part of the total price.
The Hotel Service charge does not apply to children under 2 years of age old at the time of the cruise departure date."

1 minute ago, sidari said:

Where did you read this ?

A letter issued to all agents on 21 April 2021

13 minutes ago, MSC anti body said:

They are applying the gratuities to ALL fares as a HOTEL SERVICE CHARGE for travel from November onwards (apparently). I dont mind the gratuities, what I hate with a passion is paying a bar service charge of 15% because I dont want to buy a Drinks Package. Its double dipping. I wonder will they dump it when Hotel Service Charge is introduced. 2 service fees would be hard to sell to even the most ardent cruise fan.

From Irish Citizens Advice

EU consumer laws provide you with the following key rights:

1. You have the right to truthful advertising
2. You have the right to have faulty goods repaired or replaced
3. You have the right to contracts without unfair clauses
4. You have the right to return most goods purchased online within 14 days
5. You have the right to access goods and services on the same terms as local customers
6. You have the right to free assistance from European Consumer Centres for problems with a trader based within the EU/EEA

MSC appear, at face value, to be breaching 3 and 5 above if same conditions are not imposed on residents of all member states!!!! Any Legal Gurus out there with an opinion? 

4 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

I think it’s just convenient for MSC to treat us as they do the UK market.  We have to book through the London office if we want to book direct;  their promotions are usually in line with what the Uk gets,  and gratuities are built into the fare, again, same as UK. 

They are applying the gratuities to ALL fares as a HOTEL SERVICE CHARGE for travel from November onwards (apparently). I dont mind the gratuities, what I hate with a passion is paying a bar service charge of 15% because I dont want to buy a Drinks Package. Its double dipping. I wonder will they dump it when Hotel Service Charge is introduced. 2 service fees would be hard to sell to even the most ardent cruise fan.

1 minute ago, Beamafar said:

They treated the Irish the way they did because we’re not in the Schengen area. 

Amazing considering the high rate of vaccination and declining infection rate. 

5 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

Thanks....

As the UK is no longer an EU member their residents no longer have the protection of the EU, so there is probably no issue with imposing any rules they want. But Ireland is part of the EU and a member of the EU open travel deal....can they impose this on them. Shouldnt MSC as a EU registered Company be required to respect the EU directives and not discriminate against one nation member? 

On 9/17/2021 at 7:05 PM, Beamafar said:

I’ve just received an email from MSC informing me of the new requirement:

 

 

 

Would love to see what they offered the Brits and Irish to stay away. 

4 hours ago, framboesa said:

Hello, do you have idea if this is mandatory only for UK residents, or is it mandatory for everybody? I'm from Portugal, and it's hard to reach to MSC to get answers... Thank you

It is determined by your place of residence not present location. Interestingly, its not on the German website (which is a huge money spinner for them) or indeed the Global website. You could try giving them a change of address to Portugal ...that might upset their applecart. Would love to see what they are offering Brits and Irish to cancel and stay away. Transparency and communication is not their strong point.