L and M UK

Cruise is 16 April 2023 from Genoa to Southampton with the cruised before (in the Med) and after (in the UK / Northern Europe) are still for sale so I’m pretty sure it’s still repositioning on our dates. Just a bit strange that it’s no longer on sale and our cabin has moved to guaranteed. No change to itinerary on revised booking e-mailed out by MSC or when I log into booking. A mistery. 

Thanks both. I’ve not made any changes or called them but I noted 2 or 3 weeks ago that the cruise was no longer available on their website so something is going on. Question is what?!?

Does anyone have any intelligence / thoughts on why our cabin has moved to guaranteed on Grandiosa’s repositioning cruise next April (from the med to UK / Northern Europe). Thanks in advance 

I did manage to get the extra 15% after I’d made final payment. I had to ask a couple of different customer service reps before one agreed to escalate. I did suggest I’d accept OBC and that’s what I got. Defo worth a call (or 2). Good luck (worth noting that such discounts are about rewarding VC members and their loyalty - would seem a bit harsh not to recognise your business and loyalty by not rewarding you with the current / best offer - that’s what I said anyway!).

I had exactly this scenario on our Meraviglia cruise (next week). I run MSC and the first 2 reps said hard luck. The third said they would escalate and bingo!! I suggested I’d accept as on board credit and that’s exactly what they did. Definitely worth you or the travel agent trying again. 
As noted above it’s about rewarding loyal / voyager club members and thus given that’s what you are, as a good will gesture, could they please use their discretion to retrospectively apply (with OBC an option). 
Good luck 

Assuming that internet packages can be bought on board, does the price reduce consistent with the days remaining? The pre board price is £84 for a 10 day cruise, if I only want / need from day 5 will the on board price be circa half price (on day 5)?
thanks in advance 

The different internet packages say ££“per person”. Im assuming this is not like the drinks package such that all those in the same cabin must have the same package? Thanks in advance 

What are passenger numbers likely to be for Meraviglia Caribbean cruises in Feb 2022. Impossible to know for sure I know but as I’m in the UK I’ve less feel for how things are going in the US / Florida. 
Any intelligence out there? Thanks in advance 

Many thanks. If you do opt for an independent excursions do you need to retest to reembark? Enjoy your cruise 👍👍

Are transfers (shuttles, taxi’s, Uber’s) readily available from Port Canaveral (on disembarkation) or are these best organised in advance? We’re travelling to International Drive for a few post cruise park days. Thanks in advance 

We’re on the Meraviglia mid February - are independent excursions allowed or is it MSC Group Shore Excursions only? We are fully vaccinated (and boosted). Thanks in advance 

21 hours ago, Huntingdon1701 said:

 

That's how I interpreted it. Interesting to see the NCL letter - that wasn't required for Spanish excursions on MSC (or apparently by the Spanish authorities in those ports - perhaps because MSC doesn't allow private excursions). Different cruiselines are applying these regulations quite differently. 

Anyone know if a PLF will be required for an MSC excursion in Malta? Thanks in advance 

11 hours ago, Huntingdon1701 said:

I put the cruise port address and that also worked.

 

I think to use the 'in transit' option you have to declare you're staying within the airport perimeter, which you won't be by travelling to the cruise port. It's a slight loophole with their form, but overall it's the easiest one I've completed so far (out of 5).

I’m assuming you only complete if you disembark? Plus, do you need to complete if you’re within a controlled/MSC excursion? Thanks and hope the cruise is fab 👍

Can anyone advise as to pool and / or hot tub temperature on med cruises currently (Oct 21) please.
With a week to go to embarkation I’m v aware that temperatures are starting to drop (in the southern med) and I wondered if the outdoor pools are heated (or if we will all be fighting for the hot tubs - which I’m hoping are maintained at a decent temperature). Thanks in advance

12 minutes ago, heathstockton4 said:

Quick update from MSC Grandiosa

 

No issues whatsoever with an Antigen Test, so can confirm that certainly for any UK passengers you are fine with an Antigen Test done within 48 hours of embarkation time, they did check the time on the certificate but other than that no questions asked

 

In all it took just over 2 hours to get through all the various checks to stepping on the ship, not too bad really and it was busy with lots of new passengers joining, i presume Rome is one of the busier starting ports on this itinerary.

 

One think i would take note of, they are very thorough with the insurance cover, we used the MSC top up insurance and even that they wanted the full policy details, i'd only printed the confirmation email. No problems though once showed them the full policy.

 

Off now to enjoy the cruise

 

Arrivederci

Many thanks and enjoy!! 

On 10/12/2021 at 11:55 AM, heathstockton4 said:

We are at out hotel in Rome, no issues with the Antigen at the airport so hopefully the same tomorrow with MSC

 

Just read our certificate and i can't actually see anything on it that suggests it was done remotely at home, it even has a QR code and contact number of the Dr that has verified the negative result.

 

Will update tomorrow, hopefully to confirm hassle free embarkation 

 

 

Let’s see how heathstockon4 gets on today. Fingers crossed that he boards smoothly a) for him and b) as it’ll be helpful to a number of us (who’ve opted, for various reasons, for antigen). 🤞

personnally I don’t see how MSC could refuse boarding when passengers have complied with their requirements (particularly when they have the required antigen tests within 50 yards of the checkpoint). Exciting! (So “exciting” that I need a holiday!!).

1 hour ago, SeaSwirl66 said:

I'm assuming everyone with an upcoming booking just got the email from MSC with the following!

Yep got the same comms - useful clarification. 👍

1 hour ago, The_0neuk said:

I got back from MSC Grandiosa out of Barcelona Saturday just gone MSC will not accept antigens for cruise passengers from the UK you must have a PCR

 

Lots of people had to head into town and pay for an express 2 hour PCR test

This is not a surprise TBH as customer services were last Tuesday (5th October) adamant that there website was wrong and a PCR test was required. However by Thursday 7th October they’d got the memo and we’re adamant that a LF antigen test was sufficient. 
As seaswirl66 notes things were moving quickly last week. 

16 minutes ago, doconner said:

 

Best of luck.  I'll be watching for your update on Wednesday. 

I'm sure that cocktail will taste wonderful.

Best of luck indeed and please do update us all - thanks in advance. 
Can I ask if your antigen test was supervised or an unsupervised/ at home test. Thanks again

Surely if they require more than an ‘at home test’ they should specify (I do appreciate that this is MSC tho’)

3 hours ago, Huntingdon1701 said:

 

I'd say in-person or on-screen antigen test, given the new requirements. I'd avoid a simple at home test without the video call - just in case MSC prove difficult over that.

 

Some cruise lines are rejecting home tests that aren't overseen by an independent person (via video call). MSC haven't said it's an issue for them, but haven't said otherwise either. 

 

 

Hmmm having just ordered 9 such tests (ie @ home tests) I’d be disappointed if MSC proved difficult. I think an antigen test with certificate meets their requirements as stated and thus to turn us away on that basis would be harsh. 😬🤔😬

1 hour ago, SeaSwirl66 said:

 

Thanks for the code! Just to check, when you used them before did their certs have this info? "The COVID 19 test certificate must contain: guest’s personal data (verifiable with the other travel documents), date of the test, identification / contact details of the centre that performed the analysis, technique used and negative test result."

Yep - and the time of the test and the time it was certified by the medical doctor (at Collinson’s test centre - albeit remotely). 

We’ve ‘booked’ Collinson unsupervised antigen tests which we’ll take with us and complete on the Sunday (in our hotel) 2 days before we embark @ 10am on the Tuesday (26th Oct). We’ve used before (on return to the UK) and they’re easy to use and the certificates contain all the required info. We’re also using these as our fit to fly (to Italy) tests and we’ve ordered a spare just in case! They’re £23 (using code ejh2021). 
Let’s hope there are no changes in the next 2 weeks. 

1 hour ago, heathstockton4 said:

I have just had an email from a Senior Contact Agent at MSC Head Office (copy below minus the persons name)

 

I am now confident an Antigen Test taken within 48 hours will be okay for us next Wednesday, we will take the test on Monday and i will also have a printed copy of this email on me

 

 

"Thank you for your email.

 

Please see information below which Is been also updated on our website for your below query.

 

RT-PCR test within 72 hours prior to the ship’s departure (for all Guests over 2 years old)

or 

ONLY For UK & IRL an Antigen or RT-PCR test taken within 48h hours before embarkation

 

I remain at your disposal should you have any further queries.

 

Kind Regards,

Senior Contact Centre Agent

 

MSC Cruises Ltd

5 Roundwood Avenue

Stockley Park

Uxbridge

UB11 1AF

United Kingdom"

This is helpful - thanks. Pedantic I know but it seems to have introduced a further timeframe - 72hrs before “departure” - rather than embarkation (there could be 9hrs difference - just a typo I think)?

I wonder if the rep is suggesting that the “or” bit will / is being updated on the website?!?

38 minutes ago, heathstockton4 said:

thanks for the update and that sounds promising

 

lets hope none of us have any issues boarding with Antigen Certificates, we board next Wednesday ✌️

Can you let us all know how you get on pls? Thanks in advance