Grandiosa 1 week sailing, with COVID protection activated

[Happygcruiser]

We spent last week on board of Grandiosa. We encountered 2 last minute itinerary changes, and also to end the cruise in an interesting way, the activated "COVID measures".

First the order of the ports were changed, then we were not allowed to leave the ship in Naples, so we sailed instead  of a sea-day to Messina also.

We had a test 48 hrs before leaving, and at the  port in Genova. Then one on the ship in Valetta, and an optional PCR test in Palermo (to be able to return home), the PCR costed 80 EUR/person.

During the cruise you HAVE  to wear the wristbands they provide.

Friday night around 23:30 we received a call in our cabin, that one of my family members was indentified as a contact to a"possible COVID" case, and they need to isolate that person. We can choose whether we join as a family, or let go that person alone. The were not sure what will happen afterwards, so we decided to stick together.

During the night, we had to pack, and we were moved to a closed area of the ship, to another balcony cabin. (We got 2 interconnecting cabins.) We were allowed to use the internet for free, the pay-tv, order room service, and we ordered food from the restaurant. But we couldn't leave our rooms.

We were told that Italian authorities will decide whether we can go home with our car, or they will transport us.

Whatever we ordered they brought to us, by people in full HAZMAT suites...

We noticed, that we left a pair of shoes in the old cabin- we were in a rush to leave- and we asked them to check it for us, but they said that the cabin is locked for 72 hrs... So we left shoeless.

After all for disembarkation we were escorted off the ship as priority, but we had to wear also full HAZMAT suits. Then they brought us to our car with a van. As a nice touch we were given packed lunches, so we didn't need to stop for anything.

 

So COVID protection works. :-)

[SeaHunt]

Thanks for posting - it's so interesting to read what actually happens onboard during these Covid times. It does sound like they have really good protocols 🙂

[CruisingFox27]

Thanks for the insight. I hope you had an enjoyable cruise, even with the last day disruption. 

[Sunshine3601]

Thank you for the details.  I hope everyone is okay now they are home.  I guess next cruise you will pack extra pair of shoes.

Nice touch with packed lunches.

[Preziosa]

what a trip, hope you all are feeling well. 

Happycruiser which border between Germany and Austria did you use for comming to Genova.

And which border between Austria and Italy did you use. Thank You

[dexddd]

Thanks for the info.

 

Saw article Italy going to stronger restrictions, wonder what that will bring.

[Happygcruiser]

8 hours ago, Preziosa said:

what a trip, hope you all are feeling well. 

Happycruiser which border between Germany and Austria did you use for comming to Genova.

And which border between Austria and Italy did you use. Thank You

Hello! 

 

We went through Switzerland. So avoided Austria.

There was no border control at all. Not at all at any borders.

 

[8420PR]

Thanks for posting - it's fascinating to read what happens from someone who experienced it. 

 

Do you know how the family member was identified as a close contact - was it the wristband or something else?

 

Will you claim on the MSC covid-19 insurance for the lost cruise day?

 

What was the atmosphere like onboard before you were isolated?  Any big differences compared to pre-covid?

 

Given what happened - if you could go on a cruise next week, would you? 

 

 

[Happygcruiser]

On 3/3/2021 at 6:11 PM, 8420PR said:

Thanks for posting - it's fascinating to read what happens from someone who experienced it. 

 

Do you know how the family member was identified as a close contact - was it the wristband or something else?

 

Will you claim on the MSC covid-19 insurance for the lost cruise day?

 

What was the atmosphere like onboard before you were isolated?  Any big differences compared to pre-covid?

 

Given what happened - if you could go on a cruise next week, would you? 

 

 

It was the wristband. 

I try to claim the insurance, but the phone number they gave worth nothing, and to the email claim I received an answer only yesterday, 6 days after sending it. But I try, and keep you updated.

The atmosphere was good, crew really paid attention to social distancing, mask wearing, etc. The biggest difference was that there were only 1400 passengers on a ship, designed for 6300... No crowds, relaxed atmosphere. And main dining rooms were not available for breakfast and lunch. So only buffet or specialty places. 

I would go again for sure. Given the price especially. 🙂

[Preziosa]

We are planing to Go on This Cruise the 28 of martch

we Will arrive by car from Germany. We live in Denmark.

How early could you park your car in Genova. Did you have to show PCR test max 48 hour old before boarding and then took a new test before entering the ship.

[deadzone1003]

On 3/3/2021 at 9:11 AM, 8420PR said:

Thanks for posting - it's fascinating to read what happens from someone who experienced it. 

 

Do you know how the family member was identified as a close contact - was it the wristband or something else?

 

Will you claim on the MSC covid-19 insurance for the lost cruise day?

 

What was the atmosphere like onboard before you were isolated?  Any big differences compared to pre-covid?

 

Given what happened - if you could go on a cruise next week, would you? 

 

 

As Happygcruiser said it was the wristband, it's as if you had your mobile phone with you the whole time and they could track your every move.  Princess has this with their medallion system.  With contact tracing they could determine if 2 or more people who were sufficently close together for a long enough time, there was a likely chance the unaffected party could have caught the virus from the affected party.  Of course, the contact tracing may not work if an infected person who walks by you, sneezes or coughs at you and both parties do not bother to take notice.  So, in the future on the cruiseship, if you do some extra-cirricular with anothe cruiser who is not your spouse, big brother would know.

[Happygcruiser]

On 3/7/2021 at 3:26 AM, deadzone1003 said:

As Happygcruiser said it was the wristband, it's as if you had your mobile phone with you the whole time and they could track your every move.  Princess has this with their medallion system.  With contact tracing they could determine if 2 or more people who were sufficently close together for a long enough time, there was a likely chance the unaffected party could have caught the virus from the affected party.  Of course, the contact tracing may not work if an infected person who walks by you, sneezes or coughs at you and both parties do not bother to take notice.  So, in the future on the cruiseship, if you do some extra-cirricular with anothe cruiser who is not your spouse, big brother would know.

An they didn't told me who get "close" to my wife... 🙂 Although I tried...

[Happygcruiser]

On 3/6/2021 at 1:36 PM, Preziosa said:

We are planing to Go on This Cruise the 28 of martch

we Will arrive by car from Germany. We live in Denmark.

How early could you park your car in Genova. Did you have to show PCR test max 48 hour old before boarding and then took a new test before entering the ship.

Hello! I was also driving from Germany. We left home at 1:30 AM, and arrived to port at 8:30. Then they were already dealing with the parking. When I called the parking company, they said that they start around 8:00.

And already in the parking they checked the PCR tests (not older than 48hrs), and then later again inside, and then you went for the antigen test. After that was check-in ( after 20-30 minutes waiting for the result).