Covid Test leaving from Dubai

[thepla]

It seems MSC does not have a 2 day requirement for our trip leaving Dubai in March. We will be able to get a test two days prior while here in states but just wondering if there is any rule once we land or prior to port.

 

Thanks

[SirWolf]

Dubai requires a negative PCR test upon departure/arrival. 

Information on website

-> https://www.visitdubai.com/en/coronavirus-advisory

[thepla]

33 minutes ago, SirWolf said:

Dubai requires a negative PCR test upon departure/arrival. 

Information on website

-> https://www.visitdubai.com/en/coronavirus-advisory

Thanks. Most likely msc waived requirements because I'll need one within 72 hours, a PCR type.

 

Thank

[8420PR]

If current rules stay the same you will need a PCR test within 72 hours of flight departure for entry to Dubai AND a PCR in Dubai test within 72 hours of boarding for embarkation.  

 

Here is how it worked for me:

 

[perakcruiser]

We board this weekend, will share information here. We know already that there is a price cap by the government, 150 AED is the maximum possible price.

[8420PR]

If you have an expo ticket (which I think you mentioned before) there are quite a few test centres where you can get a free test.  
 

enjoy your cruise!  

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

There is an easy-to-use testing center in the Mall of the Emirates. We obtained 1 PCR test in the U.S. to be able to fly to Dubai and then once we were in Dubai, obtained another PCR test at the mall in order to board our MSC cruise the next day. As far as the mall test goes, we obtained it around 11am and had the results by around 6pm the same day.

[Bobal]

MSC require an additional test to the one you take to enter Dubai. If you are heading straight to the ship or staying just one night before boarding you can obtain a free PCR test when you arrive in the airport. If you are staying for a few days pre-cruise there are posts in this thread telling you where you can get one

[thepla]

6 hours ago, Bobal said:

MSC require an additional test to the one you take to enter Dubai. If you are heading straight to the ship or staying just one night before boarding you can obtain a free PCR test when you arrive in the airport. If you are staying for a few days pre-cruise there are posts in this thread telling you where you can get one

We arrive very early day of cruise from Chicago via Helsinki. Ours is strange two days on ship in Dubai at start and two days on ship in Dubai at end. We are leaving early on what will be last day on ship. Hopefully we can leave ship around 3am last day to avoid hotel charge in Dubai.

[Bobal]

18 minutes ago, thepla said:

We arrive very early day of cruise from Chicago via Helsinki. Ours is strange two days on ship in Dubai at start and two days on ship in Dubai at end. We are leaving early on what will be last day on ship. Hopefully we can leave ship around 3am last day to avoid hotel charge in Dubai.

 

Shouldn't be a problem. We plan on doing much the same thing but leaving even earlier, around midnight for a 3am flight

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

7 minutes ago, Bobal said:

 

Shouldn't be a problem. We plan on doing much the same thing but leaving even earlier, around midnight for a 3am flight

 

You can depart when you want. There are taxis outside the cruise terminal 24/7. We left the ship around 10PM on the final night in order to catch a 1AM flight out of there.

[perakcruiser]

On 1/20/2022 at 11:44 PM, 8420PR said:

If you have an expo ticket (which I think you mentioned before) there are quite a few test centres where you can get a free test.  

Yes, thanks, we did the test directly at the EXPO test center as non of the many eligable test centers arount town  where near our hotel. To get the free test you need to have a day ticket, not a season pass. And you must do the test before you enter the EXPO, not when coming out. 

 

So we are ready to sail tomorrow after a nice week in the UAE and three EXPO power days. As compensation for the canceled Saudi stop, the Saudi pavillion was maybe the best 🙂

[Bobal]

5 hours ago, perakcruiser said:

 

So we are ready to sail tomorrow after a nice week in the UAE and three EXPO power days. As compensation for the canceled Saudi stop, the Saudi pavillion was maybe the best 🙂

 

Sorry if a little bit off topic but we have our Expo tickets and looking forward to visiting but it's so HUGE we are overwhelmed by what to visit. Had also heard that Saudi is one of the best - any other recommendations?

 

[perakcruiser]

1 hour ago, Bobal said:

 

Sorry if a little bit off topic but we have our Expo tickets and looking forward to visiting but it's so HUGE we are overwhelmed by what to visit. Had also heard that Saudi is one of the best - any other recommendations?

 

Sure. But is really huge, you have to have a plan. We did three full days and still so much missing.

 

What we especially liked was the musical "why?". Just started, the next weeks every night on al wasl stage at 20:00 running for 45 minutes.

 

The "Vision" pavilion is so spectacular, I think the official budget was "unlimited" 😄

 

Some of my favorite pavilions apart from Saudi: Spain, Kazakhstan, Korea, Japan, Russia, Palestine (which also has great food). 

 

USA much better than the last times, please also visit Malaysia, our guys put a lot of effort in it 🙂

 

Short but fun experiences are Switzerland and Netherlands. 

 

Enjoy!

Edited January 22, 2022 by perakcruiser

[Bobal]

Thank you so much #perakcruiser. Such great info. Much appreciated 

[perakcruiser]

On 1/23/2022 at 12:21 AM, Bobal said:

Thank you so much #perakcruiser. Such great info. Much appreciated 

Still here after the Virtuosa cruise, difficult to leave the EXPO 🙂

 

Thailand pavilion is also a must I have to admin.