Cruises NOT allowed to dock in Scotland

[Trimone]

https://apple.news/A6P3CMgQPSmunj8bT3qULTg

[Selion]

This just says the perception is staked against cruise industry.  While a train full of tourists were able to visit Scotland without being tested or provide proof of vaccination (https://northernbelle.co.uk/news/the-safe-way), a cruise ship was refused entry.  While we could point at MSC for not requiring 100% vaccination of its passengers, I don't think that's the root cause of this refusal to dock in Scotland.

[Atcodave]

5 hours ago, mpdog42 said:

Like really Not...But this is MSC fault!! Try 100% Vaccinated next time

Not true, the Scottish Government are not allowing ANY cruise ships to dock, including those with 100% vaccinated passengers.

[ighten]

But its ok to stand cheek too cheek on an overfull long distance direct train from anywhere in the UK 8 times a day to Glasgow(the northern belle isnt a fair comparism as its pretty luxury) with no vaccinations and no social distancing.. And its also ok to be packed into a park in Glasgow to watch the Euros because there will be social distancing (even though the firm they used for the screens say they are totally inadequate in size)... You cant make it up

Edited June 9, 2021 by ighten

[mpdog42]

2 hours ago, Atcodave said:

Not true, the Scottish Government are not allowing ANY cruise ships to dock, including those with 100% vaccinated passengers.

If you are in Scotland, you would know better than me, My point was that these cruises need to be 100% Vaccinated to start....we don't need anymore problems with the start up!!

[jtwind]

Wow!  I never new the CDC had any control in Scotland.

[sidari]

Scots onboard not allowed off in their own Country but can get on and off in England! Political point scoring and nothing more. Greenock is level 1 so no issue.

[DCGuy64]

Is this being seen as a victory for Nicola Sturgeon since she wants Scottish sovereignty and didn’t want to leave the EU in the first place? 

[sidari]

1 minute ago, DCGuy64 said:

Is this being seen as a victory for Nicola Sturgeon since she wants Scottish sovereignty and didn’t want to leave the EU in the first place? 

More like being seen as stupidity especially as she is allowing 6,000 people to congregate to watch the football matches.

[Huntingdon1701]

4 hours ago, mpdog42 said:

If you are in Scotland, you would know better than me, My point was that these cruises need to be 100% Vaccinated to start....we don't need anymore problems with the start up!!

 

MSC have carried over 50 000 unvaccinated passengers since last August. They know how to do it safely. 

[hamrag]

18 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

Is this being seen as a victory for Nicola Sturgeon since she wants Scottish sovereignty and didn’t want to leave the EU in the first place? 

 

15 minutes ago, sidari said:

More like being seen as stupidity especially as she is allowing 6,000 people to congregate to watch the football matches.

 

I really don't believe it's either  of those suggestions, COVID-19 is way to serious for decisions in Scotland to be influenced by politics! That said, I am perplexed by the set up of the Euro football fanzone, allowing up to 3,000 people to gather for the afternoon games, and same for the evening games.

 

Rather, the decision in relation to cruising has been taken in an abundance of caution given the significant spread of the Delta variant. The UK Government are currently in denial, but will ultimately not proceed with the original 21st June further unlocking plan. Most media are reporting the 21st June date will push out for about a month, although I have heard no suggestion that will affect the Virtuosa docking in England.

[CruisingFox27]

 

It seems quite ridiculous to prevent the ship from docking, considering the protocols in place. On Saturday we took the ferry from Belfast to Stranraer, no tests required and proceeded to drive freely through Scotland to England. Surely that's more of a risk than confirmed negative passengers on Virtuosa, who would be on escorted trips 🤔 

[mpdog42]

12 hours ago, Huntingdon1701 said:

 

MSC have carried over 50 000 unvaccinated passengers since last August. They know how to do it safely. 

Sorry let me amend my statement...My point was that these cruises need to be 100% Vaccinated to start in the UNITED STATES....Happy Now?

[ighten]

3 hours ago, CruisingFox27 said:

 

It seems quite ridiculous to prevent the ship from docking, considering the protocols in place. On Saturday we took the ferry from Belfast to Stranraer, no tests required and proceeded to drive freely through Scotland to England. Surely that's more of a risk than confirmed negative passengers on Virtuosa, who would be on escorted trips 🤔 

Thats nothing.. soon you can catch a train after a nights partying in Bolton to Manchester direct to Glasgow and party all night arm in arm with total strangers after watching the Euros.. But you cant dock and tour a city whilst in a contained bubble..

 

Posturing and Politics first - common sense second.

 

Its ok saying politics dont come into it (they shouldnt)- but sadly things that line the pockets of political partys or may upset voters get the all clear

Edited June 10, 2021 by ighten

[Huntingdon1701]

11 hours ago, mpdog42 said:

Sorry let me amend my statement...My point was that these cruises need to be 100% Vaccinated to start in the UNITED STATES....Happy Now?

 

No, because your point is still fundamentally undermined by the successful carrying of over 50 000 passengers without vaccinations. Also, not all the US cruises are requiring vaccinations to start, although certainly encouraging it by all means possible. 

[sidari]

3 minutes ago, Huntingdon1701 said:

 

No, because your point is still fundamentally undermined by the successful carrying of over 50 000 passengers without vaccinations. Also, not all the US cruises are requiring vaccinations to start, although certainly encouraging it by all means possible. 

MSC and now Royal will not have 100% passengers onboard who have had the jab. Sadly some people refuse to believe it.

[DCGuy64]

42 minutes ago, Huntingdon1701 said:

 

No, because your point is still fundamentally undermined by the successful carrying of over 50 000 passengers without vaccinations. Also, not all the US cruises are requiring vaccinations to start, although certainly encouraging it by all means possible. 

Also, I assumed this thread was in regard to MSC in Scotland, not the US. MSC hasn't even sailed from the US yet so mpdog's comment isn't relevant.

[sidari]

Scotland intent to use the same July date as England for the so called unlocking, unless of course they find another excuse not to.

[hamrag]

14 hours ago, sidari said:

Scotland intent to use the same July date as England for the so called unlocking, unless of course they find another excuse not to.

Excuse?? Nope, based on clear advice from Science/Health experts.

 

I shall make no comment on the English decision making process, other than to say right hand/left hand! Certainly the Scottish Parliament is fully briefed before public announcements.                              

[Atcodave]

My 24th July cruise from Southampton to Greenock is no longer book able so I expect that MSC have ditched Scotland for the season. Looks like I will need to cancel my flight from Glasgow to Southampton and book a train instead. Would be good if MSC confirmed all this though.

[showingdiva]

36 minutes ago, Atcodave said:

My 24th July cruise from Southampton to Greenock is no longer book able so I expect that MSC have ditched Scotland for the season. Looks like I will need to cancel my flight from Glasgow to Southampton and book a train instead. Would be good if MSC confirmed all this though.

 

That's quite an assumption given the next review by the SG around cruises isn't until the 28th June.  The reality - and I have more than a passing interest, not just because of my own booking with MSC - is that we just do not know.  Trust me, the cruise companies and all the associated services with them, are as frustrated by the lack of decision / knowledge as any passenger.

 

If your cruise is part of a longer sector, there's more likelihood it's fully booked.

 

[swoopy2110]

All July voyages from Liverpool have disappeared from the website this morning as well🤨

Odd

[NightWoman]

54 minutes ago, showingdiva said:

 

That's quite an assumption given the next review by the SG around cruises isn't until the 28th June.  The reality - and I have more than a passing interest, not just because of my own booking with MSC - is that we just do not know.  Trust me, the cruise companies and all the associated services with them, are as frustrated by the lack of decision / knowledge as any passenger.

 

If your cruise is part of a longer sector, there's more likelihood it's fully booked.

 

I agree it must be extremely frustrating for cruise companies just now and my view is MSC will just wipe Scotland from their itinerary to save all the hassle. That way they can give Scottish guests options and allow us plenty of time to make arrangements, if need be, as it's frustrating for passengers like me, who were due to embark (Greenock) next Wednesday and there is still no update on what is happening. 🤔

 

[ziggyuk]

1 hour ago, Atcodave said:

My 24th July cruise from Southampton to Greenock is no longer book able so I expect that MSC have ditched Scotland for the season. Looks like I will need to cancel my flight from Glasgow to Southampton and book a train instead. Would be good if MSC confirmed all this though.

 

I would suggest it is probably just sold out, now the 21st "freedom day" has been postponed, I think they are running with the 1000 reduced numbers, our 3rd July has gone too, sold out at the lower numbers is my guess.

[Atcodave]

1 hour ago, showingdiva said:

 

That's quite an assumption given the next review by the SG around cruises isn't until the 28th June.  The reality - and I have more than a passing interest, not just because of my own booking with MSC - is that we just do not know.  Trust me, the cruise companies and all the associated services with them, are as frustrated by the lack of decision / knowledge as any passenger.

 

If your cruise is part of a longer sector, there's more likelihood it's fully booked.

 

 

Edited June 16, 2021 by Atcodave
Of course it’s an assumption, MSC haven’t made any announcements about the cruise 😧