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8 hours ago, styles27 said:

I hope you’re feeling well and I’m sorry to hear that you tested positive. 
 

It sounds like there isn’t any “CDC” type guidelines to rate the cruise company’s Covid compliance practices as we have here in the states. 
 

Thank you, I’m still coughing, which  is annoying, but all okay.  Thank goodness we were all double vaccinated.  I dread to think what it would be like otherwise.  
 

I don’t  think we have anything like the CDC, we should, but once you get off the ship, you’re not in their stats.  Public Health England have been collating cases, but now the ship has gone to Europe, there’s probably not much they can do.    
 
A page has been set up on another social media site, for anyone testing positive after their MSC cruise and it makes shocking reading.  115 cabins just from a small group, over a three week period. Some occupied immediately after a positive case getting off and clusters of cabins at the end of corridors.  
 

Greenock Port Health confirmed to one passenger that he was one of 19 disembarking covid positive on one day.

 

MSC just  won’t reply to letters either., even the lady who died, her daughter has informed them, but they haven’t replied, not even to send condolences.  
 

it’s obvious there will be COVID on board ships, but you expect a company to be honest and put things in place to keep you as safe as possible.  
 

 

14 hours ago, hamrag said:

Sid

As one who sailed on Virtuosa across the period of an alleged outbreak, I neither saw or have read anything to confirm there was a COVID-19 outbreak. Some, a very few, have reported contracting it following their cruise but that IMHO does not constitute an outbreak.

 

I do recognise this does not suit the narrative that some wish to have, but there is no firm evidence of an outbreak on board.....bad and careless behaviour against clear MSC protocols, yes absolutely, we did witness that.

Unfortunately I did.  The whole of Deck 8 was closed for Quarantine and part of Deck 11. A call went out ‘Deck 8 full red zone’, we asked our cabin steward what it was, as it’s not one we’d heard before and he said it was being used for crew isolation.  He then said they has 127 crew isolating or positive.  
 

This then explained the lack of staff around the ship and why the buffet wasn’t fully open.  The girl in the kids club said she didn’t usually do this job and was involved in housekeeping, but was helping as they had staff off.  
 

We also saw people get off in Southampton and Portland accompanied by people dressed in Hazmat suits, spraying the ground behind them.  
 

When we disembarked we tested positive.  However as it was the day we disembarked, our stats won’t be counted.    by MSC. I do know that Port Health got on in Southampton the following week, because I contacted them and they wrote to me to tell me what they had put in place, after their visit.  All things that should have been and anyone would have expected. 

Oh I forgot,  they did make a fabulous GF cake to celebrate our daughter passing her exams.  I prepaid for this, then realised we could have got one free as Doamond status!  

We sailed in August with great hopes, but it wasn’t good.  
 

We were told  to eat in the MDR only as nothing else on board was GF.  However the first day our breakfast took 2 hours and we felt unsafe in the cramped restaurant. As a result we missed getting tickets for the water park, as by the time we got there at 10am they’d gone!

The next day breakfast the queue was huge, so we went to the buffet and walked to the back to get omelet or eggs, it was the safest we could be. But no pastries or bread.  Just eggs and bacon everyday!  
 

Dinner was slightly better, there was a GF menu and bread, however the menu didn’t change for two days and it was very boring.  My daughter existed on plain . Chicken and veg.   One night we queued for an hour to eat and gave up and went to the buffet, but they didn’t do any GF pizza and only managed to find her a GF veggie burger. No bread! 

The ice cream on deck was GF also in the ice cream shop. The chocolate was GF although made in an environment that handles gluten - we accepted that. 
 

The only restaurant we could pay for that had space  was Indochine, there was limited choice, but it felt safe. 
 

We wouldn’t do MSC again because of the bad cruise experience, but even if it had been great, I wouldn’t do it for the food options on GF.   Italy is usually fantastic GF, so we were surprised the MSC was so bad! 

On 9/22/2021 at 11:54 PM, styles27 said:

If you google it there are multiple sources on this story. This man was vaccinated but had lymphoma but family said he was cleared by his md to travel on the cruise. 
Very sad. May he Rest In Peace. 
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/grandad-onboard-cruise-ship-scots-24982160.amp

 

I’m afraid there has been another, a lady passed away on 21st Sept.  after contracting COVID inboard.  Her son has posted about it onTwitter and Facebook.   
 

So sad and MSC need to be honest about  what actually went on onboard in August. 

We got off this ship today and absolutely agree with you.  The ship is stunning inside, the bars excellent, the staff can’t do enough. 
 

However MSC are not enforcing masks or distancing.  Queuing an hour for water park tickets part under a covered walkway, is not COVID friendly, neither is the free for all buffet. 
 

We couldn’t even use the pools or hot tubs until after 4 as they were absolutely crammed with kids.  Sunbeds all reserved with towels by 8am.  It was MSC Benidorm   We have a teen and have cruised all her life in the holidays but never seen anything like this.  We even saw a family go to the late buffet and bring burgers on a plastic tray to eat in the champagne bar! 
 

The staff were excellent and I felt really sorry for them, they are doing their best and dealing with rude passengers.  However MSC shouldn’t have cashed in and filled the ship with cheap fares and stepped back.  
 

We didn’t get any discounts and paid full price, we didn’t get the cruise we paid for and my daughter tested positive this morning when we got home.  Not surprising to be honest.  She wore a mask and is double vaccinated. MSc knew there were four teens with positive covid on Saturday when the got off,  yet didn’t tell those on board using the Club, or put restrictions/cleaning in place.   

Absolute carnage and negligence.  

Can anyone tell me the coach company that was used for the Belfast City tour please. 
 

thank you. 

On 8/15/2021 at 3:55 PM, Mostonian said:

Due to advancing years we now choose to use the complementary coach service offered by P &O as it is the easiest way for us to travel. Whilst allowing us to book and pay for our cruise in October, no mention was made of the protocols which would be invoked if one member of the travelling coach group were to prove positive for COVID.  If we had been aware of this protocol it would certainly have had an influence on our decision to pay for the cruise and we would most likely have cancelled and lost our modest deposit or at least moved it to a later date. As it is now it is a cruise that we are not particularly looking forward to because there is a chance that we may not be able embark, and under the T&C we cannot cancel. I know we could pursue other means of travel but that would include more hassle and expense.  (Gripe over!!!)

I don’t believe P&O arranged these transfers, if you look on their website and FAQs, it says they won’t be providing  them.   The Company who they have used in the past has set up the transfers themselves and it looks like P&O have had to deal with the fallout because they let them on board prior to testing them all.  
 

Surely everyone should be tested on the coach before getting off?  Also,  How come there were 42 people on one coach?  That doesn’t allow for distancing.   I was on a coach the other day and half the seats were taped off! 
 

What about all the other passengers who have been on public transport prior to the cruise - train, underground taxi!  

 

Disney Cruise Line Platinum to Diamond

2 people, requested separately, took 24 hours to receive email with Voyager Club numbers. 
 

Both automatically added to the booking. 
 

On 7/22/2021 at 5:14 PM, Huntingdon1701 said:

 

 

Mine is one of the reviews - https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=681590

 

 

Thank you a great review.  

Thank you everyone, that was very helpful. 
 

We booked for 24th August, Aurea, but thinking now we should swap to Fantastica and get the Premium + instead.  We have matched - thank you again - and we’re Diamond, so that sort of negates the Aurea package too I think 

I’m just struggling now to get the booking number accepted on the website!  The app shows our cruise, but no other details of the package we have and keeps crashing!  
 

1 hour ago, ziggyuk said:

 

If you look at the live reviews of the first few sails you will have everything you could ever want and more.

Thanks for the reply. 
 

I have had a look,  but a lot of them say what it’s like on board, the ship, !the service, etc., which is great, but I’d like to know what to think about when booking, are there any specific things to go for? Hints and tips on a cabin etc.  I have never cruised MSC and I know each cruise line has their own  way of doing things and wondered what I need to think about.

thanks. 

Hi all

We’ve done a lot of cruises on various lines, the last 11 have been Disney Magic and one Royal Caribbean.   
 

We’re looking at booking a 7 night Staycation out of our home port Liverpool am I’m all at sea! 
 

Please can you tell me what should I be aware of - need to know, prior to booking and once on board. Also,  what are your  experiences of the ship if you’ve sailed on her.  
 

I’m looking at Balcony and the premium drinks package. 
 

Many thanks 

When you get on, go straight to Guest Services and ask what meet & greets or events they have during the cruise.  They will give you tickets for them, if you don't go, pass them on.

Look at joining a Fish Extender group (PM for details), not on this board, but you will find one for your cruise, a sort of secret santa.  Take some Disney magnet stickers for your door, it helps find it when you are walking down the corridor!

Take a highlighter so you can highlight the kids timetable for what you want to do,  as above there are so many activities, from making gloop, pyjama parties etc.,

Don't be tempted to miss the shows - the variety ones may not be so great, but the Disney ones are amazing.  Don't bother taking any movies or DVDs, there is constant free Disney movies in the cabins.

Oh and if you order Mickey bars at dinner, get the sprinkles!!!

Hi

We've cruised DCL 10 x now and this year went to Royal Carribbean and I feel your pain!  Just not knowing how things work, or what's included and the hints and tips is daunting.

You have some great answers, but do ask again if you think of anything else.  One thing to bear in mind is that some of room service is free, you can get Mickey ice creams, cookies, hot milk, a cheese platter and a few other things delivered without charge, or maybe a $ tip.  Its in the hard back book in your cabin.

The dining room thing of moving around, sounds weird, but it isn't, your servers get to know your quirks and as each dining room is themed differently and some have a few surprises too, it works brilliantly.

We came off our last cruise and booked DCL straight away again!  

15 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

We had My Time as well and had a reservation every night. We were shuffled between American Icon and Silk all week except for the second formal night where we were seated in Chic. It was late in the evening as We Will Rock You ended at 8:30 so traditional was in the middle of that annoying waitstaff napkin twirling parade by the time we were seated. I didn't find the service any better that night as a matter of fact it was the worse service all week. I would have been pretty upset had we dressed formal. All the venues are crowed and loud and as far as a leisurely dinner, the only place to have that experience is in a specialty restaurant or in Windjammer where you can eat at you own pace. The food was good but the service all week was rushed and non engaging. I have had better experiences at Applebee's.

I am so glad it wasn't just us!   We have cruised a lot and were quite taken aback by the whole experience to be honest and I agree with Applebee's analogy, we don't have them in the UK, but spent five nights in NYC before the cruise and ate there one night near Times Square, excellent service and ambiance!!  My daughter only wanted to eat there as there is a line about it in School of Rock, but we weren't disappointed.  I'm presuming by your comment, it is a cheap chain?

We ate at Chops one night, the service was shocking, the food nothing special, my sea bass was burnt and dry, so I sent it back, the second was fine and  in Wonderland,  we had to wait ages for drinks several times - only wine, but they seemed to have to go to a different bar each time - surely better to bring the bottle and we had to ask for water to be refilled more than once.  I'm afraid service was so bad in Wonderland, we didn't tip, despite me feeling embarrassed, my OH refused and he is normally really easy going about such things!  It was our last night, so didn't bother following it up.

We actually ate at Windjammer, six of our nine nights, at least it was calmer, but not the dining experience I expected on a cruise ship.  I don't expect haute cuisine, it is mass catering after all, but I expect good service, calm and pleasant surroundings in which to relax and take time to eat.

I wish I’d looked at the other dining rooms, last week. We were on My Time dining and in Silk.  

We we found it to be dark, cramped and nothing special.  The furnishings were cheap and tables so close we were almost sharing!  

A leisurely dinner with family is one of our highlights on a cruise, but the ambiance To sit back, chat and enjoy just wasn’t there.  We also, despite having a time to eat, had to stand in a queue for sometimes half an hour beforehand, it was bedlam. 

We we were also surprised at how little the menu changed, just one or two changes, unless that was only the nights we went. Always Onion Soup, always apple crumble etc. 

We ended up eating in Windjammers, found a quiet table at the back, but it wasn’t the same. The food was I think better up there, but no service of course. We had a teen with us so couldn’t go to the Solarium one. 

Weve done one a few cruises and never, ever have we eaten at the self serve for dinner!! 

If if we went RCI again - which I don’t think we will - I would definitely go for timed dining, it has to be a better experience surely?

9 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

Boy, you must have almost smacked right into us!  (Adventure LEAVING Bayonne)

We saw you, passed right by - then this!

stunning views as we can up the river. Would have loved to have seen it from the shore. 

Thank you, I have read these and they answer all the questions I had, but I was thinking more about the 'hints and tips' , so maybe good places to sit, something on room service that's particularly good, things not to miss etc..

We are experienced cruisers, for the last 9 years we have cruised with DCL, we know how it all works and how to get the best holiday as to value for money.

Our dd is now a teen, so we've booked Anthem departing 29th Aug. out of New York.  I have searched the boards and found the answers to most of my questions, I wasn't so happy to find the drinks package increased in price within a few days - wasn't expecting that!   I see there are also extras such as watching a movie in your cabin and those extras are making me a bit anxious to be honest. 😳 I also see no DIY laundry, were travelling from the UK, spending time in New York, before a 9 day cruise, so guess we need to pay for laundry to be done, our weight limit is so small from the UK,  I don't think we will get away without.

So, what do we need to bear in mind to get the best value?  What are those little unknown things that aren't advertised, but seasoned RCIers know about?  What extras do we need to be aware of?

Ii really want to like Royal Caribbean, it's been a long time since we cruised with them and things were very different then!

Thank you.  

Hi

from the UK here and was quite surprised to see the price of the drinks package has gone up by £3 a day since yesterday, so £9 a day for us both.  The cruise is 9 days, do I presume you gave to have the package for 9 days?  Please correct me if I'm wrong.  

Bearing in in mind we are only boarding in the afternoon the first day, so won't be drinking as much as if on all day, I'm now wondering if it's worth it with the extra cost.

Firstly, do the prices ever go down again and is there a link to the prices for drinks, wines and cocktails please?

Fankly we have not cruised with RCI for 19 years, but cruise every year, sometimes twice and I'm a bit disappointed to see this. I'm starting to get a bit concerned about all the "extras" and the way the change things.

What a fantastic lot you are!

Thank you 

Hi

Last time we sailed RCI, was back in 2000 and things have changed a lot since then.  We are booked on Anthem out of New York in August and have found most of my queries by doing a search, but some just seem to be illusive and I hope you can help.  Many thanks.

Firstly, I see you can take two bottles of wine on board (corkage fee may be charged), but can you bring any beer on?  Also can you bring anything on at other stops, or does this have to be handed in and you get it back at disembarkation?

How much are the speciality coffees?  We are probably getting the drinks package on which includes premium coffees, what is the difference between 'premium' and 'speciality'?

Our 14 year old doesn't drink coke, or fizzy drinks, but will have smoothies and milkshakes, does the refreshment package include these?  Or can we get them on our package, we will have one each, for her?   If not how much are the milkshakes and smoothies, or can you direct me to a list of costs.

Is ice cream free on board?  We are used to Disney, where everything (apart from alcohol) is included!

Do you have to book for anytime dining, or can you wing it?  We have no idea what times we will want to eat yet, so don't want to choose a time in advance.

Do other slots open for the skydive experience during the cruise?  We have only been able to book for one.

Is it better to buy the drinks package before we go - I see it's priced in pounds, for us, which is probably an advantage, or do they do discounts once on board?

Many many thanks and sorry if I am asking the obvious, I have looked - honestly  😊  

Thank you for this thread.  First tim e on the Anthem and I've been doing lots of searches to find info. Apologies if I'm asking things that have been asked before.

Firstly, are the kids clubs free and does anyone have experience of a 14 yr olds activities.

What extras do you pay for, apart from the special restaurants and roughly how much are they?  

If we all download the app, is there the facility to message each other?  We're from the UK, so will get charged for texts.

is the solarium free to go in, or do you need a pass?

Sorry, so many things going through my head!

thanks