girli565

22 hours ago, Markanddonna said:

I think the reason you were allowed at OC is because they were able to prevent incoming passengers who had COVID and then didn't test on day 2. Is that accurate?  So, if they keep up that policy, there will be no reportable COVID.  So glad you got to enjoy the island, though. It really is very nice!

We were tested at the port of Miami on 1/6, embarkation day. I did see one man from our "pod" detained at the port while awaiting the rapid test results before boarding, he tested positive. The port security and a MSC rep removed him and his luggage and they were asking where the rest of his party was located. 

No we were not tested on Day 2, but that was most likely because we were on a short cruise and going back to disembark the next day. So no other stops. We were not tested at disembarkation. 

23 hours ago, ISLABONITA said:

 the itinerary was it changed? thanks

No, we were scheduled for Nassau and Ocean Cay and we went to both. 

Just off the Divina 1/6 sailing. We docked at OC on 1/8. It was glorious!

We just sailed on the Divina out of Miami Jan. 6-9, 2022. Everyone was tested pre-boarding. You're tested before you show anyone your vax card or negative test. 

Just got off the 1/6-9 divina cruise. About 1000 passengers. 

On 1/8/2022 at 5:33 AM, Cruisomaniac said:

Thanks for reporting on this. I board on the 16th so any other updates on your experience onboard will be greatly appreciated.

Hey, you're welcome! I posted a bit of a summary above. We just disembarked this morning, I"m already home, we live in Miami so it was a quick drive. If you have any specific questions I'll be happy to answer. 

On 1/7/2022 at 10:00 AM, sidari said:

If that is correct why were those people not re tested having been around a person who tested Positive?

In Europe if you show up with a group of people or family members and one of them tests positive none of them are allowed to board the ship!

We were not retested. We weren't sitting near the person, they were 3 rows away from us. Anyone In that person's traveling party was flagged and removed. And their checked luggage was removed from the ship. 

On 1/7/2022 at 6:56 AM, sidari said:

When you say your waiting in your "pod" Did you mean the area where a certain number of people are held while waiting for the test results and this person was with you all ?

Yes, we are grouped by numbers while we wait for our test results. It's random, I guess a group of 10-20 people per pod it seemed. 

On 1/6/2022 at 11:26 PM, FrostyJoe said:

One thing I’m really curious is why is the port folks testing anyone coming back?  The CDC order about testing prior to coming back only applies to air travel not cruise or land travel….

 

what will CBP do if one’s positive….Deport you back to….?

I don’t believe CBP has the authority to quanratine you involuntarily. Their options are to deny entry into the USA. So then what???

 

also , is this sailing out of port canaveral?

We were not tested upon return/disembarkation today. Only tested on embarkation.

On 1/6/2022 at 8:26 PM, Fredric22 said:

1,000 still isn't bad considering the circumstances.  They are lucky to have that many!  How are things on the ship?  

So we just got back this morning, I had wifi on board but was barely on so sorry for forgetting to post live.

Things were fine. It almost felt, dare I say, normal?! Except that we had to wear masks unless we were eating or drinking, and if we were in the pool or hot tub. The pools were empty, the jacuzzis were pretty full and usually one party per whirlpool so the lines would get a bit long but not impossible. Our dining room was empty, the table around us were almost empty, maybe one party per table but many were empty. 

I felt safe, the crew were attentive, and they were cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting constantly. I guess because it was a three day cruise they didn't seem to be contact tracing as diligently but we did encounter a temp check and card scan every morning at our breakfast venue. And we did get contact traced at a bar we sat down to have a drink at on our last day but that was it.

It truly felt normal and I felt safe and feel fine. Let's see how we feel in a few days.

Just heard from a crew member there’s 1000 guests on board this sailing. Normally it’s upwards of 3000. 

Yes, it was a long check in process today. They only have two people working check in at the testing station so it’s very slow. Once we tested we went to wait for our results. The results took less than 20 min. Then another long line (maybe about 30 min) to have our passports scanned and get our room keys. We were on board by 3:35pm. 

6 minutes ago, Fredric22 said:

Thanks for the update!  What time did you get to the port?  Please keep us updated on how things are once you get on the ship!

Our paperwork said 11:30 but then got a text to arrive at 3:30 instead. We got here at 12pm. We are just now clear from testing and waiting to get our passports checked and checked in. 

While waiting in our “pod” someone tested positive and they had security escort him out. 

We are in the process of boarding the Divina today for the 3-day cruise. Lines are long. They’re testing at the port. We are waiting for our results now. 

Yes, just go the same text. We're still sailing. The Divina cruise arriving was a 7 day? or 10? My husband said, we can try to be as safe as possible for 3 days, lol. Mask as much as possible and enjoy ourselves. I teach in a high school where studnets are not required to wear masks and I've been safe and avoided covid. So it's possible. 

5 hours ago, tkwbear said:

I've been watching this site to see which ships have been going to their private islands. I've checked the 3 Florida-based MSC ships and none have been to Ocean Cay since before Christmas. I also checked 3 HAL ships; none of them have been to Half Moon Cay since before Christmas.

 

https://www.vesselfinder.com/vessels/MSC-MERAVIGLIA-IMO-9760512-MMSI-249973000

😩😩😩

23 minutes ago, styles27 said:

Insurance is not mandatory for US residents on US port departure cruises. At least at this point it’s not 

So the link that info came from is not for US residents? This is just confusing people more. 

12 minutes ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Nope, It came in an email to me for a cruise this weekend.

https://www.msccruises.com/en-gl/Cruise-With-Confidence.aspx

Reading that it states you had to have purchased the Covid insurance. Purchasing that was not mandatory until recently so many may not have bought it. 

From the site:   "As during a cruise, you may be exposed to specific COVID-19 risks that may not be usually covered by existing insurance policies, to ensure your peace of mind is mandatory for all guests to have in place an insurance policy that specifically covers them against COVID-19 related risks, such as cancellation, interruption, repatriation expenses, quarantine, medical assistance and related expenses, as well as hospitalization. This should be in place to cover you from the confirmation of your booking until the end of the cruise or your cruise and flight package.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic that the world is still facing, MSC offers a COVID Protection Plan- an insurance policy specifically for these COVID-19 risks and this can be added to the cruise whilst making the booking. The Covid Protection Plan will be extended to the whole Summer 22 season. Guests will be required to provide evidence of their insurance policy and this should include the details of the insurer, the insured amounts and full details of the COVID-19  coverage such as cancellation, interruption, repatriation expenses, quarantine, medical assistance and expenses, and hospitalization."

Call back, you still get boarding docs and the health questionnaire sent to you regardless of your booking category.

8 hours ago, Fogfog said:

Hey there

 

Have you heard any more about OC and Nassau--- as another thread a pax posted a letter that the Bahamas wasn't allowing ships to dock on OC...

If the Bahamas disallows OC, then it won't allow Nassau as well... and then a cruise to no where can't sail.

Wondering as we have B2Bs and the short leg would need to be rerouted or cruises on either end extended.

 

Have not heard anything yet. We Covid test Tuesday. No emails or anything from MSC as of now. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

We're sailing on the 1/6 Divina sailing... at least I hope we're still sailing somewhere. It's a 3-day to Nassau and OC. 

We sail on the Divina on 1/6/22. I hope we hear some definitive info soon from MSC. 

We sail on 1/6/21 and I had the same issue. I ended up having to call MSC for them to email it to me. 

We booked inside guarantees just after Christmas for the June 9th sailing on the Seaside. There were no more 4 person balconies available so we booked the cheapest route, two inside guarantees, hoping we'd be placed somewhere decent. We only paid the deposit for both bookings.

Within 3 weeks we were assigned cabins and upgraded to 2 balcony cabins on deck 13! I don't know the rhyme of reason why but it was a nice surprise!