Georgia_Peaches

I take this to mean that it was taken by a lab technician. Meaning someone in a white coat swabbed my nose...or in the case of CVS, watched me swab my nose while standing outside my car. I hope this is OK as we are testing on Friday in this manner for our cruise on Saturday.

Wasn’t aware. Thank you for this!!

What does verifying the vaccine card entail? Are they comparing the original vax dates to the questionnaire? I am about to fill out the same thing as OP and was confused. We haven’t had a booster and our original vax was in 2021, so more than 6 months ago. The website says boosters are recommended but I see nothing about them being required. This question makes me a little nervous bc it seems like they want to know if I’m boosterd even though it’s not required.

My understanding is that you can move your cruise forward without penalty under the one change program. Not sure that’s the exact name. I recommend reaching out to your TA just to be sure. Also note it is entirely possible that nobody else in your household will become positive. Perhaps you wont need to postpone? Also, I recommend that you purchase self tests to take with you regardless of when you cruise because one could be negative one day and positive the next. Nice to have a self test on hand just in case. I bought 5 rapid tests from Amazon…pack of 5 for 24.99. Wishing your wife a speedy recovery.

What about a rapid test? You get the results in about an hour. I know CVS does them. We have it scheduled for our upcoming cruise next week.

Wow! That's great information. I am assuming that is for both US and Europe?

I agree it is all very confusing. Did you use a TA or book direct? A TA would be where I would start.

I read this regarding cruises in Europe which indicate that if you were vaccinated greater than 270 before your cruise, you need a booster. If you are within the 270 days and said days don't run out prior to the end of your cruise, you don't need the booster. However, if your cruise occurs in the midst of your 270th day, ie on day 5 of your ten day cruise you've reached 270 days since your vaccination, your card is "expired" and you will need a booster. For US sailings, the wording is such that MSC recommends the booster but I see nothing about requiring it. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Celebrity has been our go-to line for many years but we are trying MSC at the end of the month because their prices are just so much better than Celebrity. We booked a YC deluxe suite for less money than a Celebrity, entry level sky suite. To me, that alone is reason enough to settle for food that may not be exactly on par with Celebrity. I have to say though, the menus I've looked at lately seem to be fish-centric and my hope is that being an Italian based company, MSC will be able to make my not-so-favorite menu item taste delicious.

Also our first MSC cruise. Leaving soon and like you, I'm going to chance it with my own hair instruments.

Huh. Good to know. Thank you.

Just got an e-mail from MSC as we are 15 days until embarkation. The e-mail says that only the following electronic items will be permitted: electric shaver computer hair dryer (they provide in cabin) charger This prompted me to go to their website and look more closely at prohibited items. They include (list not complete): clothes iron coffee maker hair iron kettles hot plates candles I've always brought a curling iron and my own hair dryer. Are these items going to be confiscated if I bring them? And if so, I could probably get by with the provided hair dryer but I hate the kind that you have to hold the button down while operating...not sure if that's the kind on MSC...but no curling iron? Ladies, please chime in on suggestions for curling my hair...guess I could resort to the old fashioned pink sponge hair rollers...surely curling irons won't be confiscated. Say it isn't so!

So we got our e tickets right after we completed our on board check in information. I chuckled at out boarding time which according to MSC begins at 10am and closes “1 hour after assigned boarding time”. So if we show up at 11:30 we are out of luck? I’ve never sailed MSC but this was new to me. No worries tho, we are happy to embark asap.

Jeepers! I hope you weren't the doctor! 😁

Is there such an area in Maimi?

I know of a few people who have experienced the same phenomena you described. May I ask which cruise lines you were traveling that required the booster? I stopped after the 2nd jab and probably won't get boosted because I am not in a high risk category.

Possibly. Back in May I came down with covid in Belize. I was traveling with a mixed party of vaxed and nonvaxed friends. Three of us tested positive. I was feeling pretty good most of the time and tested negative 5 days before my friends. One of them never tested negative but was allowed to go home because he had spent 10 days in isolation. The rules about testing negative to come back to the US have been lifted since then. I think NCL has figured out that we all assume a certain level of risk with cruising with covid...something that appears to be here to stay.

Where did you see the booster requirement? We are booked for the end of the month and I haven’t seen anything about a booster requirement.

I agree. But at the end of the day, What difference does it make? Vaccinated or not, one can still get Covid.

Great information! Thank you! Speaking of dressing up and dress codes in general, I love the idea of taking along some nice dresses that I don't often get to wear. I was wondering if the dress code is relaxed on embarkation day and if a nice pair of dressy shorts and a blouse would be appropriate for ladies on night one in the Yacht club or any MDR? I have my embarkation outfit already planned and it includes these dressy linen shorts and a blouse.

Read the reviews on both ships. We are on Seashore at the end of August. I started reading reviews after booking (I know it’s backwards) and Seashore doesn’t get a lot of love. From “too hot in common spaces indoors” to “rude employees and bad customer service” to “long elevator wait times” and “chaotic embarkation/debarkation”…seems like a crapshoot TBH. we’ve never sailed MSC. Based on reviews, I’m keeping my expectations low and hoping to be pleasantly surprised. It’s been so long since we’ve cruised, you could put me in a dingy and I’d be happy.

Not about steerage vs haven. They paid for an enhanced experience. They should get what they paid for. Period.

Not sure how testing beforehand reduces chances of being sick on the cruise unless you mean those who test positive before boarding don’t go on the cruise. Otherwise you can test negative the day before but develop Covid a day later…after you’ve already boarded.

I imagine they are going to let the dust settle a bit and see which lines blink first. Soon after, other lines will follow with whatever the new lead may be.