doublebzz

I didn't get a communications either.  If it wasn't for these boards, I would have shown up without the required test.

It looks like I can get away with a negative antigen test from what has been posted.  The antigen test is considerably less costly than the PCR test in Spain.

I'm really confused now.  I'm reading that a PCR Test 72 hours or before embarkation is only required for non-vaccinated guests on Europe cruises.   I read this under PRE-CRUISE REQUIREMENTS on the MSC Web site.  Are you saying everyone now needs the test?  Seems odd since, as I understand it, MSC will administer a test during the actual embarkation process. 

On 8/11/2021 at 8:44 PM, bratts2go said:

Thanks for your replies.  I do have the green check marks and am not able to access the Health Questionnaire at this point.

The Heath Questionnaire is included with your e-ticket and is to be completed during the boarding process.  Although the green check marks indicated I had successfully completed the check in process, I couldn't access my tickets so I called MSC.  The rep indicated she would email my tickets and, within an hour, the tickets arrived in my email.  In over 60 cruises, I have never experienced the confusion over check-in process, insurance and other issues that I'm encountering with my September MSC cruise out of Barcelona. 

Due to my submittal error, I was upgraded to Gold and wife to Diamond.  On our forthcoming cruise, will we receive all the perks of Diamond based on my wife's status???

10 minutes ago, Até said:

Look at your name on your booking confirmation closely and then go to your online profile 

I booked through a TA and my confirmation does not include my middle name so there is a conflict.  This problem is that I seem not to be able to access my profile.  When I log in with account number, it asks me to add booking number and it doesn't let me do that.  If I log in with my booking number, it takes me to the plan my cruise page and again no way to access profile.

5 minutes ago, Até said:

If the online website doesn't see any bookings in your profile then you will not be getting the bidding email.  I've never received an online newsletter.

This is exactly my case.

7 hours ago, Até said:

You need to go to your MSC online profile and allow MSC to send you marketing emails, they may go into your spam folder.  I think some travel agents don't participate and can block those bookings from getting upgrade bidding offers.

Good luck with this.  Logging in with either booking number or account doesn't get me to my profile.  I signed up for the newsletter which required me to confirm by email.  After doing so, I ended up right back at the web page repeating the message to respond to a confirmation email again.  This web site is an absolute disaster.

12 minutes ago, Margaretealexander said:

You would need to have received an email from MSC lol erring you know you were eligible to bid. It’s pretty simple. They walk you thru the process

Thanks, that clears it up for me.

How does one bid for an upgrade?

Just got off the phone with an MSC agent.  There was no wait time and the agent was most courteous if not completely knowledgeable.  One of the issues I raised was the fact that I couldn't download my e-ticket and documents after completing the check list.  She said they are normally available 20 days prior to sailing; however, she would attempt to email them to me.  About 10 minutes later I received the documents by email.  The documents cleared up the mystery surrounding the infamous "health questionnaire".  This document is not filled out on the MSC web site but was included with the cruise documents and is to be turned in during the boarding check-in process.  This is the wording:

So far on this thread, I've heard $68, $100, $150 and $175 for insurance plus other contradictory views on whether you can use your own insurance company, whether purchasing from MSC is mandatory and the type of insurance that may be required .  I really don't think anyone knows for sure until the first European cruisers report what the real situation is.

Looks like I'll be saving a lot of money on my cruise.

Anyone know if there is a craps table in casinos on MSC ships, especially Grandiosa?

Was this a European cruise and if so, was he required to buy Covid insurance from MSC?

8 minutes ago, Até said:

 Have you tried going through the process again, even if you've already checked in?  I have seen other's post here where they had EU cruises which were past final payment and they called MSC to have the insurance added.

I've gone through the process multiple times.  The MSC web site is a disaster - cannot even display my updated voyager number on my booking.

54 minutes ago, Até said:

Well, the MSC Travel Protection Plan with COVID-19 coverage (shown during booking as the CSA Travel Protection) varies based on the cruise cost. 

The problem, as STOCKJOCK has pointed out, in our bookings there are no links, no tabs, no mention of health questionnaires, insurance, etc.  When I'm about a month out from my cruise, I'll start making phone calls to clarify the situation.

15 minutes ago, Até said:

If you opt out of the "optional" MSC Travel Protection plan and choose to use your own military insurance MSC will still make you buy their COVID-19 Reassurance plan for $100 (up to 4 night) to $150 (five or more night) per person.  MSC will also scrutinize your military insurance.   See the FAQ at the bottom of the European Health & Safety page linked to above.

 

 

ETA: It's usually cheaper to just purchase the full Travel Protection plan w/COVID-19 coverage from MSC rather than the COVID-19 only Reassurance plan.  Price above is for two people.

 

I am more than confused.  When I did the mock booking, only the $68pp insurance was offered.  Will someone give me the bottom line - What is the lowest price MSC insurance I can purchase to meet their requirement.

10 hours ago, Stockjock said:

What's interesting is that I did a mock booking for a cruise already booked, as it's now a Voyager's Select sailing (old booking is better).  Before continuing, I had to agree to buy MSC's covid insurance.

But, after reading this (follow link), I tried to complete their health questionnaire and was unable to do so, as only the usual check-in populates, nothing about health, covid, vaccinations or insurance.

I wonder if I am exempt because I booked the cruise some time ago and at the time of my booking it was not required?
https://www.msccruisesusa.com/health-and-safety-measures/europe-cruises

I just did a mock booking for my Sep 18th cruise.  I checked the box for insurance - only choice was $68pp.  I got as far as payment info and, of course, had to stop at that point.  I had no link to agree to health insurance; it automatically added it to my fare.  Because I didn't make payment, there was no way to check in so I have no way of knowing whether I had to complete the health questionnaire.

4 hours ago, Stockjock said:

What's interesting is that I did a mock booking for a cruise already booked, as it's now a Voyager's Select sailing (old booking is better).  Before continuing, I had to agree to buy MSC's covid insurance.

But, after reading this (follow link), I tried to complete their health questionnaire and was unable to do so, as only the usual check-in populates, nothing about health, covid, vaccinations or insurance.

I wonder if I am exempt because I booked the cruise some time ago and at the time of my booking it was not required?
https://www.msccruisesusa.com/health-and-safety-measures/europe-cruises

4 hours ago, Stockjock said:

But, after reading this (follow link), I tried to complete their health questionnaire and was unable to do so, as only the usual check-in populates, nothing about health, covid, vaccinations or insurance.
 

I booked the cruise on July 13th and have never been able to access their health questionnaire.  I have completed the check-in process and see the check marks by my name and my wife's.  I have attributed this to their "buggy" web site rather than any policy issue but who knows.  

25 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

The way I look at it is that I will be allowed to buy coverage after final payment late next month, if required.  So I'll hold off to see if the policy changes.  Things are fluid and ever-changing.  I do think my Amex Platinum insurance will cover me, but again, I see no reason to rush into a purchase that may ultimately not be required.

I've got 4 months until the ship sails and a lot can happen in 4 months.

I agree completely with you as the situation seems so fluid.  I have a Sep 18th cruise and will probably wait until mid-August before I commit to more insurance.  Not only do I have the $20,000 coverage provided by my credit card, but, as a military retiree, I have total medical coverage world-wide.

10 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

As a reminder, certain credit cards may provide coverage for trip interruptions which may include covid.  If your card offers this, you must put the entire flight and/or cruise on the credit card.  

In my case, I use American Express Platinum.  While the annual fee has increased to $695 per year, I get it free as a customer via the "major Wall Street firm" I work for.  Terms and conditions apply of course, and following the fine print is very important.  

I may have shared this, but here's the story of a fellow who booked a trip using frequent flyer miles and only put the taxes and fees on his Amex Platinum, which I think were under $100 USD.  His dad had a serious medical emergency and American Express ended up paying $275,000 to fly a medical team to his father's location and air evacuate his dad back to the USA.

https://viewfromthewing.com/know-benefits-amex-platinum-medical-evacuation-claim-award-ticket-saves-275000/

I have this as well.  But from what I'm reading, one must buy the MSC plan either directly or through your TA.

Ate - Wow, this is confusing.  Are you saying that there are two different insurance plans required?  I don't read it that way but its so poorly worded that any interpretation is possible.

15 hours ago, scotia_girl said:

I did buy the MSC Travel Protection Plan for 82$ for the family of 4 , unreally unsure what this covers just wanted to have most bases covered. I plan to call back in a month or so to see if story changes. Sailing Oct 6th out of Lisbon 

 

May I ask, how and where did you purchase this at $28?  Other posters are saying the MSC Travel Protection Plan is $150 per person for U.S. citizens.

So how do you account for lax19's post above that her daughter was not required to get insurance?