MSC GRANDIOSA - 8/16/2020 - Anyone Live?

[Formula280SS]

Wow.

 

This is such a huge event.

 

The flagship.

 

The new protocols (including POC swab testing).

 

Big ship @ 70%.

 

ANYONE booked on this?

 

CC members would love to hear from you pre- during and post-.

 

Thank you.

Edited August 8, 2020 by Formula280SS

[Formula280SS]

A little background on this first cruise on a mega ship by a top line since C19.

 

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23349-msc-gets-approval-to-restart-cruising-in-august.html

 

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/italy-oks-restart-cruises-msc-ready-roll-costa-coming-soon

 

NEW HEALTH PROTOCOLS

 

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23326-msc-readying-two-ships-for-cruising-unveils-health-plan.html

 

Again, hoping a CC member is on this cruise and is able to provide as much information as possible.

 

Thank you in advance.

 

🛳️

[Formula280SS]

Looks like the Caribbean cruises are moving towards COVID-19 testing following MSC's lead with Grandiosa 8/16/20 plans.

 

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/coronavirus-tests-very-likely-especially-caribbean-cruises-bayley

 

Also, new task force:

 

"FCCA Caribbean/Latin America task force - The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association has formed a task force with tourism ministers and many prime ministers from the Caribbean and Latin America participating."

 

Still hoping for a CC member on the Grandiosa 8/16/20 cruise to chime in.

[SpainAlien]

I would go but can't find it on their website to book, presumably already sold out (70%)

 

[Preziosa]

Their are many many cabins left. Try to book through Germany.

[Até]

Interesting that the Cruise Critic MSC startup article stated all cabin types get at least one excursion included and YC cabins included one excursion at each port.  When doing a mock booking you have to choose between the "Welcome Back" rate with nothing included or the "Welcome Back with Excursions" rate that includes a choice of three excursions and costs €100pp more.  Unless you book at the latter rate no excursions are included with any cabin type.  Only one excursion is offered at each port.

[Preziosa]

Where Can you see the excurtions in every port..

[Até]

You have to select the With Excursions rate and the cabin type first.  It then drops down to the excursion list before you can continue.  They only have the excursion titles, no descriptions.

 

The "Maximum Flexibility" policy in effect on these sailings is not very good, any changes must be made 21 days before departure to be free of charges.  I guess anyone booking these sailings is well aware of the risks.

 

Grandiosa:

 

 

 

 

Magnifica:

 

Edited August 11, 2020 by Até

[Preziosa]

Where Can you see the excurtions in every port..

[Preziosa]

Thank you Ate

[Formula280SS]

55 minutes ago, Preziosa said:

Thank you Ate

 

👍

[little britain]

I’m not seeing the “with excursions “ option on the uk site ( on iPhone) 

[MarkusToe]

may be because you are not EU (anymore)

[sidari]

29 minutes ago, MarkusToe said:

may be because you are not EU (anymore)

The UK is still an EU member until December 31st 2020.

[Host Hattie]

13 minutes ago, sidari said:

The UK is still an EU member until December 31st 2020.

No, it isn't, the UK hasn't been a member of the EU since 11pm on January 31st 2020.

We're currently in a transition period until the end of the year.

[sidari]

The UK is still following EU rules and paying a membership fee and in that respect is still a member during the transition period.

[Host Hattie]

[MarkusToe]

but not part of Schengen, an this the more relevant part in this game

 

 

 

[Formula280SS]

https://www.msccruises.com.au/en-au/About-MSC/News/ MSC-CRUISES-RETURNS-TO-SERVICE-IN-THE-MEDITERRANEAN-FOR-SCHENGEN-GUESTS.aspx

 

*Schengen Countries: Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Austria, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland.

 

 

[sidari]

7 hours ago, MarkusToe said:

but not part of Schengen, an this the more relevant part in this game

 

 

 

The UK and Ireland were not part of the Schengen zone and not required to join.

[MarkusToe]

and this journey is for schengen members only....

you are not allowed to board....

[little britain]

I was checking to see what prices and availability was like for the Christmas cruise...when I see no “with excursions” option

 

https://travelweekly.co.uk/articles/382598/msc-cruises-to-welcome-uk-passengers-as-soon-as-fco-allows
 

 

 

Edited August 13, 2020 by little britain

[sidari]

3 hours ago, MarkusToe said:

and this journey is for schengen members only....

you are not allowed to board....

What does that have to do with the UK and Ireland not having to join the Schengen Zone ?

[dritan]

Interesting that MSC say the only thing stopping UK travellers is the FCO current advisory and that this is the only blocker.  I assume there must be some similar govt advisory in place in Ireland then?  The Schengen Zone only thing would be a red herring - as neither country was even in the Schengen Zone. 

[Formula280SS]

A lot more details out today re: Genoa port embarkation procedures.

 

Quite informative at the port on pre-embarking process in place.  MSC, or the port, clearly have the required Point of Care Rapid Testing machines capable to handle such number of passengers and crew.

 

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/heres-how-genoas-stazioni-marittime-preparing-cruises-restart

 

 

Here's how Genoa’s Stazioni Marittime is preparing for cruises to restart