American_in_York

43 minutes ago, the penguins said:

You are correct but:

Southampton doesn't have good enough wifi. Staff are using hand held scanners in poor/difficult lighting and are having to check far more documents than pre covid.  Geoff.

Sorry but in this day and age this should get sorted either by Southampton or by Celebrity. What is the point of the app and all this technology if we fall at the first hurdle.

7 minutes ago, the penguins said:

I posted this before - the check in staff at Southampton are begging everyone to have papercopies of everything - if you do the process is very very quick - if not it's a nightmare - the staff have to scan everything not just look at it. Ideally you want to be carrying your own passport inside of which is  a papercopy of the Setsail pass, covid test result, vacination certificate - all unfolded.

My understanding was that we were moving from printing everything and we should be able to show pcr codes via electronic means. This is what Celebrity recommended but I guess I have to go back to the old ways.... more paper.

5 minutes ago, the penguins said:

please not screen shots - very hard for the staff to scan.

They didn't have any issues scanning the screen shots just putting in 2 middle names.

Just want to give anyone a heads up if they are NOT a British citizen but a British resident. I showed the my American passport during embarkation and the person was very confused. I showed her my official 'indefinite leave to remain' and she didn't have any idea what it was. She left to speak to her supervisor which took 10 minutes. Therefore, make sure you bring something to confirm your residency. 

Also, my husband has 2 middle names. This confused the person again. Seems the computer didn't like that and couldn't put his information in. She had to go back to her supervisor. This took another 10 minutes. 

Make sure you screen shot everything. There is NO Wifi connection and I saw loads of people having difficulties. A couple actually showed their NHS cards as proof of vaccination because they couldn't get the NHS app to work. 

1 hour ago, isdoo said:

 

Yes 3 tests required. 

 

Jack is pretty good if on duty on social media. I am sure he will reply., 

I just sent a DM via Facebook. Hopefully I will hear back in the morning. I will let you know anything I find out. Fingers crossed. 

15 hours ago, delondin said:

My reading of this is that the Pcr test needs to be done before you get to the port, then they will have a antigen test at the terminal as well. 

Can someone please help? My daughter is 15 and I have booked via eurofins 2 weeks ago for her antigen test at the terminal on the day of embarkation.  Now she needs a pcr test. Went on her eurofins site and I cannot book a pcr test for her. Not sure what to do? Should she just come along with me when I get tested or what? Everything is just getting so stressful.  Thanks

9 minutes ago, downsmead said:

Quite, just bought myself a Citizen watch for $39. It was that or a handbag 😂

I needed to use my OBC!

Was there any fabulous designer bags in the shops? I have some OBC to use up as well. 😉

I could care less what anyone wears. When my husband is in a tux that is the only place I'm looking. 😉

6 minutes ago, swjumbo said:

Can’t you just take a couple of bottles on board? Even disguised as medication!!

For the price I'm paying for this cruise, you better be joking. 

58 minutes ago, upwarduk said:

Apparently, it’s if you have been vaccinated in another country eg you wouldn’t be able to download the NHS to prove where you were vaccinated, with dates. As highlighted in post #760.

Thanks for clearing that up. I have been vaccinated in the UK and can prove it on the NHS app but..... I'll bring my old passport and a utility bill. I just don't want to give them any cause to turn me away.

4 hours ago, upwarduk said:

Just been looking at the Health & Safety protocols for Southampton cruises which were updated yesterday 07/07/21.

It states you need proof of residency, which I am assuming is a passport/ driving licence, but it doesn’t state what.

‘For more information, click here,’ takes you through to a Gov.UK web site, which looks as thought it’s for residency application. They require Bank statements, bills etc ( all banking done on line now, since the pandemic). Vey confusing. 
I have rung our TA, who of course is out of the office, so I have also emailed her.

I will update with a reply.

I was going to show them my old passport with my 'indefinite leave to remain' from 2003. I would think this covers the residency issue but you never know these days. 

3 minutes ago, Nick&Simon said:

 

 The bar seat rules at MastBar were silly. You can sit at the bar, but must face away from the bar and can't put your glass on the bar.

I just don't know what to say anymore..... this is laughable.

1 hour ago, Alakegirl said:

You are under a mistaken impression.  Concierge class comes with no laundry/pressing perks.

 

captain’s Club does

Sorry. You are correct. I've been reading so many different things I was confused.

I thought you received 2 pieces of clothing ironed for free in C class. Could this be what the OP was thinking?

33 minutes ago, Tee & Chilli said:

Thanks everyone 

I saw a menu online where the smoothies cost were $6. Perhaps I can pay the difference.

The smoothies are not on the classic package. There is no way to pay the difference so I had to pay the cost + gratuity. Just so you don't get the same surprise I did when I ordered one.

We aren't sailing until 6th August but I am reading this thread with interest. Can anyone who have used Eurofins in the next couple of weeks please confirm when they took their test and when they actually received the results? I just want to see if we can trust them or if I should try and book my own test. 

10 minutes ago, TC38 said:

So, just had it confirmed by Celebrity……..anyone under 18 does not require a negative PCR test to board. They will only have to take an antigen (lateral flow) at the terminal.  BUT, if you are vaccinated you will require a negative PCR test 72 hrs previous…  Madness……especially given the efficacy of a lateral flow test compared to a PCR test……I questioned why the antigen test should not be ‘in addition’ to the PCR test but to no avail …….it seems like the more sensitive/stringent testing requirement is only for vaccinated guests……crazy. 

I questioned this a few days ago. I might get my 15 year old daughter a PCR test at my own cost a few days before we cruise anyway. Belt and braces!

52 minutes ago, kernow said:

2 adults just need to show proof of vaccination and no test, 15 year old needs proof of negative test 72 hours before sailing(you can use the self test NHS one). You will all be tested at the terminal before boarding.No extra cost at all.

We really enjoyed the cruise as did most of the other people we spoke with onboard. There seems to be lots of other positive reports on here too, where are you hearing bad things?

Thanks for getting back to me.

We had friends go on MSC from Italy a few years ago and they said the food and service wasn't great. This has kind of tainted my view of them. We are going on Celebrity around the UK in August but for the price of the MSC cruise I think we might give it a go. 

I was quoted for a B2 cabin. Any suggestions on the best deck?

Thinking of booking the 10th July cruise from Southampton. I know protocol is constantly changing but can someone please confirm what we need to do to board the ship. 

2 x fully vaccinated adults

1 15 year old child 

I know we need to have special COVID insurance but does my daughter need to have a PCR test 72 hours before boarding? Do we need to get COVID tested before boarding? Just want to know what we need to do so I can work out the cost before I book. Thanks for your help.

BTW - never sailed on MSC before and haven't heard great things so a bit nervous all around.

@Nick&Simon - Just wondering what your thoughts are on the 2 VACCINATED people who tested positive on the recent Millennium cruise. Assume since they were asymptomatic, they were passing it around the ship. The vaccine doesn't stop you from getting COVID.

Might be best as you say to try another line. 

7 minutes ago, Spike11 said:

Yes, I don’t understand the logic either, particularly as the spread of the Delta variant seems to be predominantly among younger people. If PCR tests are required for vaccinated adults then they should be required for the under 18s as well.

Agree. I was fully prepared to pay for a PCR test for my 15 year old daughter when I booked the cruise. I just assumed this would be mandatory but let's see what Celebrity say nearer the time. 

On 6/10/2021 at 11:51 AM, 38anchor said:

Interesting to see that Royal Caribbean's website has much more detailed information regarding sailing on Anthem out of Southampton...

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/gbr/en/healthy-sail-center/before-you-board-your-cruise?country=GBR&fbclid=IwAR1SdIyJl1r5aknsbGpDnKk5OONP3xqVpwq_mYVfSecCFInXFmDkQcwQD0Y

 

Also states you will get info on PCR tests 14-18 days prior to sailing.

 

 

Sorry am I reading this correctly. My husband and I are fully vaccinated but need to have a PCR test but my 15 year old daughter who hasn't been vaccinated just needs a rapid antigen test at the terminal. Surely it would be better the other way around?

On 6/10/2021 at 8:16 AM, cublet said:

Hello,

 

Yesterday I tasked my TA with getting the 10% Captains' Club discount.

 

I won't give you all the hour long exchange but the reduction in price on one will be a reduction on the amount payable by me and the other will be in the form of OBC.

 

All as per the T&Cs - so far so good. But the amount of OBC (in $) will be at a 1:1 exchange rate from £ so what would have been £100 equalling (approx) $140, all I will get is $100. OK, not a great difference for solo use of a concierge cabin, but the difference to a family in a suite would be considerable.

 

What's the experience of other users out there?

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

I only received £20 back but my TA gave me $30 OBC so not too bad I thought. I would go back and ask for my $40. Everyone can use some extra cash on a cruise. 

@Atcodave Thank you so much for pointing me to this thread. Loads of information. 

I have been searching for ages and cannot find the prices for any of the speciality restaurants. Does anyone have a list and their prices?

Thanks.