MSC and Covid on board ships

[emmas gran]

This was posted yesterday on MSC thread , it shows their protocols do work. They have also stated that face masks are MANDATORY for this summer on ships in the Mediterranean. If you think its irrelevant you can report it! 

 

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. 🙂

[hcat]

I think post is relevant here...shows how things are going  on lines that are actually cruising.

 

Those Covid protection and protocols  may work as reported but not my idea of a vacation by any measure!.

 

Mandatory multiple testing at extra cost, mandatory wrist band tracking,  moving  staterooms, hazmat suits, debarking without shoes,..does not sound very enjoyable at any price.

 

The Celebrity Cruise contract recently posted on cc  says they can  kick folks off at their discretion. They would not be as helpful getting folks home &  definitely not packing  you a lunch!

 

 

Edited March 3, 2021 by hcat

[ECCruise]

I think this is an example of what things will be like on the test cruises that so many people are so gaga to go on.

 

The only difference that the above experience would be simulated, perhaps not actual so that the ship can test their procedures.  And, in some cases, will include all pax confined to cabins for a period to test things like food delivery, cabin maintenance and the like.

 

 

[TeeRick]

Thanks for posting.  You have re-affirmed my plan not to cruise until I am vaccinated and only on ships that require all passengers and crew to be vaccinated.  I want to spend my money on a safe and fun vacation without worries.

[George C]

While I do like MSC I am not cruising on any ship that requires masks, I just got my second shot and we will not travel until my wife gets her shots.

[Oceangoer2]

7 hours ago, emmas gran said:

This was posted yesterday on MSC thread , it shows their protocols do work. They have also stated that face masks are MANDATORY for this summer on ships in the Mediterranean. If you think its irrelevant you can report it! 

 

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. 🙂

Wow!  They sure took care of that family and protected other cruisers.  Hope all turned out well and no one in the family came down with the virus.

Edited March 3, 2021 by Oceangoer2

[Oceangoer2]

"They would not be as helpful getting folks home &  definitely not packing  you a lunch!"

 

And you know that how?  I don't think X would be heartless....it's in their interest to be protective...and not out of the budget to provide a take along lunch.

Edited March 3, 2021 by Oceangoer2

[deliver42]

Good for MSC and their protocols. Hope the family is well.

[wrk2cruise]

I actually found this information encouraging vs just being put off at the first port just because of a positive test or contact tracing.  I'd much rather be returned to the debarkation port even if isolated as long as not seriously ill.

[ECCruise]

1 hour ago, wrk2cruise said:

I actually found this information encouraging vs just being put off at the first port just because of a positive test or contact tracing.  I'd much rather be returned to the debarkation port even if isolated as long as not seriously ill.

The way I read it the first port after the positive test was the disembarkation port.  Sounds like all the ports (Messina, Palermo and Valetta) were before that.  Perhaps I am not reading it right.

[deadzone1003]

Please be aware this is MSC Grandiosa's 2nd incident.  The first was back in early February.  Whether you like it or not, this may be how everything will be when more cruising resumes in April in Europe despite you being vaccinated or not - they will be very cautious in the beginning.   

[emmas gran]

24 minutes ago, deadzone1003 said:

Please be aware this is MSC Grandiosa's 2nd incident.  The first was back in early February.  Whether you like it or not, this may be how everything will be when more cruising resumes in April in Europe despite you being vaccinated or not - they will be very cautious in the beginning.   

It’s actually the 3rd they had one last August, 17th February and this. The important thing is they are catching up with infected guests and taking action.

Edited March 3, 2021 by emmas gran

[shipgeeks]

And they've been sailing most weeks since last summer.

[ROYALBOY]

Sorry, does not sound like a vacation.

[Miaminice]

To add another line sailing even longer to the perspective.

TUI Cruises - over 70,000 passengers since summer last year.

7 cases (4 and 3)  - isolated, contacts traced, no further infections.

 

It can be done! With the protocols in place and onboard measures like masks, distancing etc.

[Miaminice]

14 minutes ago, ROYALBOY said:

Sorry, does not sound like a vacation.

Well, while I think everyone of us wouldn’t want to experience it, it’s not much different to what’s happened when Noro was suspected, other medical emergencies occurred and so on... in other words, a chance anyone cruising always took.

[hcat]

4 hours ago, Oceangoer2 said:

"They would not be as helpful getting folks home &  definitely not packing  you a lunch!"

 

And you know that how?  I don't think X would be heartless....it's in their interest to be protective...and not out of the budget to provide a take along lunch.

They do not allow you you take any food off the ship.. Almost all port rules also prohibit  doing that,  so the lunch was a special situation where they were being whisked off to their car.."bye bye...here's lunch,!"

 

 I was  being sarcastic about the lunch. Do not have  a big concern with the lunch, believe me.

 

I read  the contract clause that was posted recently.  My search feature does not work on my phone but I was very sad when I read it.  Really nothing in it for the customer  in my opinion.

 

Hope someone can locate said para and re -post it here

[hcat]

Could not find the specific post on  Celeb Boards that  I recall seeing, but did come up with a post  on Royal Board that has a link to the Royal C Cruise Contract..

 

The part abt disembarking  folks and their responsibility was around p. 15. best as I recall.  Interesting read..not sure if Celeb is the same.

 

 

[hcat]

See post  # 5  of the above thread for the link

[Arizona Wildcat]

6 hours ago, hcat said:

I think post is relevant here...shows how things are going  on lines that are actually cruising.

 

Those Covid protection and protocols  may work as reported but not my idea of a vacation by any measure!.

 

Mandatory multiple testing at extra cost, mandatory wrist band tracking,  moving  staterooms, hazmat suits, debarking without shoes,..does not sound very enjoyable at any price.

 

The Celebrity Cruise contract recently posted on cc  says they can  kick folks off at their discretion. They would not be as helpful getting folks home &  definitely not packing  you a lunch!

 

 

Disagree.  The proposed regulations call for anyone that is or possibly COVID positive to be transported home via private transport.  That is exactly what happened.

I agree that the protocols are not what I would care to be faced with.  Not being allowed to go ashore and limited to no shore excursions.

As for kicking you off the ship - that is if you fail to follow the rules.  Exactly the same possibility as before.  We have seen both passengers and crew leave - mostly due to illegal drugs - quickly.  With COVID a bit different.

Last a thought - strange since the people already had adjacent cabins that they were moved to 2 different cabins.

[deadzone1003]

1 hour ago, ROYALBOY said:

Sorry, does not sound like a vacation.

Only in comparison to what was done in the past.  You can wait until it reverts back to what was done in the past though the wait may be longer than your remaining years.  

[RiotAct]

that sounds fun!!!

[neilrr]

6 hours ago, TeeRick said:

Thanks for posting.  You have re-affirmed my plan not to cruise until I am vaccinated and only on ships that require all passengers and crew to be vaccinated.  I want to spend my money on a safe and fun vacation without worries.

Hi TeeRick - Saw your post here...  Amen...We are of the same mind.  We are in process of getting vaccinated and we will wait until the crew, passengers and people in the Ports are on the road to vaccination too.

 

It is far too risky and not the least a vacation we would consider -- wearing masks all the time.  Also, I wouldn't even think of Europe which we love.  The first cruise will probably be a 7 day Caribbean cruise out of Port Everglades where we live -- to test the waters.  Most of the cruise lines are looking at 2022 anyway.  I think 2021 is pretty much has been written off. I'm glad we all got our money back on the Iceland cruise last year.  We have 3K tied up (from another cruise) in Celebrity FCC's which hopefully we will use in 2022..  Take care and stay safe..😊 

[wrk2cruise]

52 minutes ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

As for kicking you off the ship - that is if you fail to follow the rules.  Exactly the same possibility as before. 

 

No before if you got Noro they didn't put you and your traveling companions off at the next port.  I'm not saying that's what happened here as it seems the disembarkation port was the next port.  

 

I've not seen any of the lines publish the policy for what happens if you test positive and are asymptomatic or have mild illness or just have been contract traced to someone who tested positive.

 

From the RCL Singapore sailings this is the type of non committal wording they use.  Well what is the tiered response plan??

 

"In the event any of our guests or crew tests positive for SARS-CoV-2 onboard, we have a robust, tiered response plan in place that we've developed with guidance from local authorities and leading public health experts. The tiers increase protocols and vigilance onboard while providing transparent updates to guests the whole way. In partnership with local authorities, Royal Caribbean has developed transport protocols to ensure we can get you home safely. Thanks to rapid technology-enabled contact tracing, we'll also be able to advise you in the event you had extended contact with any known case."

[cruisinsusin]

57 minutes ago, Arizona Wildcat said:

 

As for kicking you off the ship - that is if you fail to follow the rules.  Exactly the same possibility as before.  We have seen both passengers and crew leave - mostly due to illegal drugs - quickly.  With COVID a bit different.

 

We love the Celebrity product and are hanging in there with 3 future cruises booked but unfortunately that is not the new contract - I have copied section 4f below- even if you follow the rules, if you test positive or are suspected by the crew of being positive, at their discretion, you can be quarantined, disembarked or not allowed back on after a shore excursion. Not sure we are going to be comfortable traveling to distant ports with that provision- will have to monitor what transpires once cruising returns.

 

Per the Celebrity Cruise Ticket contract updated 10/20/2020, section 4f:

f. Passenger Testing Positive for COVID-19 During Cruise. Passenger understands and agrees that if, after boarding, and even if Passenger has fully complied with all COVID-19 Policies and Procedures, Passenger tests positive for COVID-19 or exhibits signs or symptoms of COVID-19, Carrier may disembark, refuse re-boarding after a shore excursion, or quarantine Passenger as well as members of Passenger’s travelling party, or take other steps which Carrier determines, in its sole discretion, are necessary under the circumstances to protect the health and well-being of others. Under these circumstances, any such Passenger with a known or suspected case of infection with COVID-19 who is disembarked, refused re-boarding, or quarantined shall be entitled to a prorated refund or future cruise credit for the unused portion of the Cruise Fare. For further details, refer to Carrier’s refund and cancellation policy at www.celebritycruises.com. Each such Passenger is responsible for all other related costs and fines, including without limitation travel expenses. Under no circumstances shall Carrier be liable to any such Passenger for any costs, damages or expenses whatsoever incurred by any Passenger.