elmsliebev

Fair enough, If it's horrid weather we might do the same!

tt's been our experience too. We've often booked Saver and been fine with our choice of cabin, had our preferred dinner time and not really used the shuttle. This time we've booked Select as the OBC was so good. It will pay much of our drinks bill!

thanks. I've been to Ghent, loved it. I think we might just wait and decide on the day before depending on the weather.

when we reopened following covid closure, we quarantined books for 72 hours just to be absolutely sure. I do love a library on a ship though I have to fight the urge to shelve properly 🤣

previously we've used CruiseConnect and Eavesway. Left Blackpool airport at 06.30 - 07.00 each time.

thanks for the review. We're on her in March and looking forward to our first MSC cruise. Can I ask what you did in Zeebrugge? We're thinking of going to Bruges.

we were at the Hubbard last July, it was wonderful.

wonderful!

we don't go till March, plenty of time for lots of weather!

It's "her" 😀 . We got a bargain Black Friday cruise with MSC (including a balcony upgrade for an extra £9pp!). My expectations are set the same as every holiday I go on. I expect to enjoy it. My first cruise was a converted car ferry called MS Van Gogh to the Fjords and I absoutely loved it. One of our best ones was with CMV, a very budget line where we went to Dublin, the Scilly Isles and Rouen. We've been with Costa so I'm expecting something similar but a bigger ship. She certainly looks spectacular. I do tend to do lots of research (retired systems analyst/progammer, now working part time n a library) - it's part of the holiday for me. My husband just turns up on the day! We've taken the alcohol-free package and apparently that includes soft serve ice cream all day, so i'm very happy. Now, where's my spare bathrobe?? 🤣

thanks for the feedback everyone. I'll make sure I bring whatever I need apart from shampoo & shower gel!

that's a bit harsh. I was merely saying what my previous experience was. I've never cruised with MSC before so amazingly, I don't know everything about them! Cunard may think it's a luxury line, I'm not so sure. We had to ask for tissues, body lotion, bars of soap last year. And yes, this one was a bargain, but once you add in gratuities on Cunard and the speciality dining we've chosen (much better choice than on Cunard btw), the price wasn't that different.

thanks

thanks, we're used to getting them in the lowet category on Cunard, but no problem, will just take my own. It's a no-fly cruise for us.

I didn't think they would be provided as standard, but can I ask for them?

We're sailing Virtuosa in March, first time MSC cruisers, status matched to Silver. Do we get bathrobes and slippers in the cabin or can we request them (Bella experience for us)? Also do we get cotton wool, tissues etc or again, can we request? many thanks

We're no longer in the EU (UK) and my understanding is our NHS proof of vaccination is fine. I would imagine it's the same for any national official proof but I'm sure someone with definite info. This is the wording from MSC.co.uk All Guests are strongly encouraged, but not required, to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.When a Guest is considered “fully vaccinated”?- Guests who have received at least two doses of vaccine - except in the case of a single dose Johnson & Johnson - including those not considered up-to-date by EMA standards.- Guests recovered from Covid-19 with 1 shot of VACCINE are considered fully vaccinated (They must provide a QR code or alternatively a validating documentation)

Can I ask a question related to this? The website says that you need a test if you''ve had covid. We both had it in July (on a Cunard cruise). Has anyone been i that situation and have you done a pre-boarding test even though you had covid months ago?

Yes, the only stipulation is collared. My OH wore short sleeved shirts in July/August on QE.

The Lloyds website does show what they provide and it would appear they do certificated ones. It's just the basic NHS ones that you can't use. Hope you get sorted.

Roman have provided me with some lovely things. I don't know if Debenhams still have an online store, they were always good for cruise frocks too.

no, you need a passport. Even pre-Brexit I think you needed a passport as a UK citizen. You also need 3 months left on it after the day you leave. Some passports had extra months added when you renewed and they don't count any more.

I read this as an antigen test will do for your daughter (I agree the wording is not clear!) as long as it is certified (not a self-test NHS one). I've not had to do this yet (needed a PCR last year) but I understand Lloyds Pharmacy and Randox offer ones that you can do yourself, send them the results straightaway (by email) and you will get an official certificate back within 3 hours. Lloyds also offer instore at some locations. We're in Blackpool and can get them done here. I'm sure someone with direct experience will be along shortly to provide more info. Hope you get sorted and have a great time, we are on in March.

We are on Virtuosa in March. Not sailed with MSC before & understand we have to pay for shuttle buses. How does it work? Do you buy in advance or is your cruise card scanned when you get on the bus? Hamburg - we are there on a Sunday so no little ferry across to the city so we will take the shuttle bus Zeebrugge - will probably go to Bruges on the coach you can get from outside the port entrance (20e pp return?) Rotterdam - is a shuttle bus needed or can we walk? Le Havre - I think I read somewhere that it's a 30 minute walk which we might do if it is a nice day, otherwise is a shuttle bus provided? In Marseille with Costa once we found that Costa wanted to charge 10e pp but the town council provided free shuttles once you'd walked through the duty free etc - is this the case on any of these ports? many thanks

I do cross stitch which of course uses small sharp needles. I packed them in my hold luggage without issue.