Internet service in port at Trieste on the GEM

[Cowboy296]

Does anyone know how the internet service is in port at Trieste on the Gem? Booked on the June 19th sailing. Thinking about proctored covid test while in port of disembarkation day,

[MikeMSD]

I'm on that cruise too! The anxiety is killing me for my embarkation test. Are you testing for re-entry into the United States? If so, the CDC is dropping that mandate as of tomorrow, so we won't have to test on our way back. Of course, I've already purchased my eMed proctored tests which I guess I'll bring just in case.

 

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/rescission-global-testing-order-p.pdf.pdf

[Cowboy296]

Thanks MikeMSD!!! I had not seen that update. Hoping for a great cruise. I was more concerned about the test coming back to the USA. I have ordered a proctored test from AZ0VA before we leave home on the 16th. They allow you to use your own at home test. They charge $20. Was going to see how that went then decide if we would try to use them for disembarkation at the port. Was hoping that USA would drop that requirement, so glad they have. 

We have terrible flights to Venice and back. Staying one night ahead of cruise in Venice. None coming back. 3 flights each way booked thru NCL. Transfers via NCL too.

[Cowboy296]

The following is from the CDC website. Thanks again MikeMSD!

 

As of 12:01AM ET on June 12, 2022, CDC will no longer require air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight. For more information, see Rescission: Requirement for Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Result or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for all Airline or Other Aircraft Passengers Arriving into the United States from Any Foreign Country.

[MikeMSD]

3 hours ago, Cowboy296 said:

We have terrible flights to Venice and back. Staying one night ahead of cruise in Venice. None coming back. 3 flights each way booked thru NCL. Transfers via NCL too.

Oof, that's rough. I originally had booked my flights with NCL but my travel partner got a new job in Germany, and NCL wouldn't do flights from there.The flights were a great deal booked through NCL at the 2 for 1 promotion, not so much individually. I ended up cancelling the NCL air and doing my own through Delta. I'm flying in day of which is making me nervous. My original arrival time was 9am, but that's been pushed back to 11am now. I'm hoping they don't try to push it any further. Realities of work unfortunately made it impossible to fly in a day early. I am going to stay for a bit on the back end though to sight see.

[Cowboy296]

Are you flying into Venice or Trieste? We have had a bad experience on a 2 week NCL cruise out of New York back to New Orleans in November 2021, repositioning. We were booked on flights thru NCL day of cruise on Sunday. Notified via AA airline on Saturday afternoon that flight from New Orleans to Charlotte was cancelled. Called NCL, was told to call airline. Airline was not able to help told to call NCL. On Hold with NCL for several minutes with agent trying to get thru to their air dept. finally came back to me and told me if we wanted to go on the cruise I had better book my own arrangements! It cost me around $1000 to book own flight, hotel and ubers to fly out that night. NCL would not help at all for extra costs! I did not have insurance. Have not had any luck with other issues with NCL help! You can not talk to a live person about issues, only thru cases sent via internet. I could write a book. We have several cruise nexts to use or would probably book other cruise lines! We are platinum level too. 

 

Hoping you will have no troubles.

[MikeMSD]

Thanks! Hopefully no issues. I'm flying into Venice Marco Polo from Atlanta. I definitely have travel insurance just in case. I'm nervous with all the cancellations abound.

[mking8288]

Trieste and Italy in general, Vodafone is the "home" carrier that'll provide the best cellular/4G LTE data coverage at the port - AT&T wireless is one of their partner, although T-Mobile with roaming/global coverage should do fine, check & ask your "home" carrier in LA before leaving about coverage, costs & any APN configuration, including enabling "roaming" coverage.  Google Fi (as MNVO partner) has worldwide coverage in 200 countries abroad, when we started out with them a little over 6 years ago, just 120 to 130 countries then - amazing coverage & inexpensive when we're on escorted air-land tour in the Far East.  

 

Alternatively, find & activate a prepaid mobile data sim for visitors upon arrival in EU and have it configured to use. Maritime satellite speed & connectivity via NCL is inadequate at best and too sluggish to be reliable, even if you upgraded to the "premium" streaming plan.  Happy cruising. 

[Cowboy296]

Thanks mking8288. I am not as concerned now as we are not required to have covid test to get back to US. I have Verizon so have activated Travel Pass, which is $10 per day if you use it.