lovetoholiday

3 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Could be worse, you could be in a couple and get assigned that room like the guy in the video! I can't imagine two people in that tiny room.  I think it will be fine for me by myself, but I could see where the bed situation would be offputting to anyone who has any back issues, mobility issues, just likes to spread out while they're sleeping, etc.

I'll look out for your 'live from' 

I don't have any issues as such, just reached an age where I like a wee bit of space.  The balcony did look good though, so maybe I could put up with it for a week. Decisions decisions.

Oh, thank you so much, that's exactly what I wanted to see.  Not for me.  Will keep looking....

Hopefully someone will come forward and say they have been in one 🤞 or I might live dangerously and just book it 😂

6 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Virtuosa is a Meraviglia-Plus class ship, so I imagine they would be pretty similar, but from what I understand, rather than a simple sofa bed, the Meraviglia-Plus ships have one of those couches that converts into a bunk bed.

Thanks it does say on the deck plan, bunk bed.  I really don't want to be climbing into a bunk bed or having a really narrow single bed. That probably explains the reasonable price compared to the usual extortionate one.

Does anyone have any experience of the single studio balcony cabins on the Virtuosa?  It looks as though it has a sofa which is made up to a single bed at night.  Is this correct, and how was it for you?

Many thanks for any info.

Also on this cruise, loved everything about it. Including the infinite balcony. The Apex is beautiful. I had a single cabin, a bit short on storage space but other than that it was great.

2 hours ago, lovetoholiday said:

Having managed to take advantage of this for my November sailing (thanks again little britain) does anyone know if Celebrity ever offer a similar deal? 

I have a booking with them in January and have just realised that I didn't take the 'Always Included' option when booking so looking to add a drinks package.  Thanks.

Panic avoided, a quick phone call to Celebrity and it was an error in their part, Always Included is on my booking. 😊

Having managed to take advantage of this for my November sailing (thanks again little britain) does anyone know if Celebrity ever offer a similar deal? 

I have a booking with them in January and have just realised that I didn't take the 'Always Included' option when booking so looking to add a drinks package.  Thanks.

Thank you Little Britain for this info.  Have booked it for my 2 weeks on the Oasis in November.  Much better than the planner price of £74.

Cheers!

3 hours ago, GoldingS666 said:

Perfect

 

Thanks for this.

 

Just one question. What if your incoming flight is delayed etc.

I see its an appointment basis so outgoing works well. Not sure about incoming.

We were late for our appointment, it didn't seem to matter. They had one line for people with appointments and another for those without - which was a lot longer.  We just joined the appointment queue and no one asked when it was.

4 hours ago, GoldingS666 said:

So the website states that, if vaccinated, you need a supervised Antigen test per the below:

 

• "Within 3 days prior to embarkation date for cruises departing from a non-U.S. port"

 

When does the clock start. Celebrity are clear on this so basically you can test on Thursday, Fly on Friday and Sail on Sunday as the sail day does not count as a day.

 

NCL - Silent 😞

 

So do we test at base and decide we are OK to travel or fly to Barcelona and  hope we are not trapped there as we didnt know we were unwell until tested domestically.

 

Any recommendations for trustworthy (and accepted) locations in Barcelona for Antigen.

Speaking to NCL some people are told their supplier is not accepted so then pay upwards of USD 65 a head to re-test at the dock.

 

 

We tested at Barcelona airport. Book online before you go it's called the Fly Covid Test Center the cost was 30 Euro. Results back within 10-15 minutes.  https://flycovidtestcenter.com It's at Terminal 1 and we were recommended to use it by someone from NCL. 

On 6/9/2022 at 10:18 AM, hitch-04 said:

 Priscilla was not offered on the 22-29 May Barcelona sailing. Burn the Floor was the only real production in the main theater. There was also an aerialist show in the Spiegel theatre that wasn't super well advertised but was very well done - I'd keep an eye out for that one and make sure you reserve seats.

Same on the 5th June cruise. Also recommend the show in the Spiegal theatre and sit upstairs for the best view.  There is a 'Coming Soon' banner across the poster for Priscilla.

We also signed up for pier testing but were told by an agent that it was no longer available, so have booked tests at Barcelona airport for 35 euros.  So many mixed messages.

1 hour ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Glad it worked out for you in the end. Enjoy!

Thank you!

An update - I received my e-tickets by email overnight.  Hurrah!

So now have confirmation of which airports I am travelling from/to etc., 

Now I just need them to change the voucher for the transfer from airport to ship to say pick up at Milan instead of Genoa as it does in this paperwork. 😂

1 hour ago, carlmm said:

How about allowing them some time to  work?

They have had since last October.

8 minutes ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Don't expect them to get anything right.

Don't expect a call back.

Send an email....that doesn't work either.

Worst CS ever.

Yes, called them again today.  It has been escalated - give them a few more days they said, then call back again if still no word from them. Really frustrating.

I have been trying since March 2020 to use the fcc for the first cancelled cruise due to Covid. This is my 4th attempt, all others have been cancelled or changed for various reasons.  I finally thought I was getting somewhere this time - 28th May from Genoa on the Splendida.  My fiends and I paid extra above the fcc for direct flights from London to Genoa, to be confirmed nearer the time. (Booked October 2021)

Back in February we got emails saying these flights were cancelled and we would now be travelling via Brussels to Milan and then bussed to Genoa.  Returning from Nice, via Brussels to London.

In March I noticed that to book this cruise they were only offering direct flights from London to Milan, no mention of indirect flights via Brussels, so I asked if we could change to these flights as they made so much more sense.  No way said MSC.

I can only access parts of my booking online as it doesn't recognise my booking number but it does tell me my cruise departs in 24days.  It says my edocs are available but the button to download or print is greyed out.  So, I phoned yesterday and asked if they could email them to me, no problem they said, they are on their way.  Nope, no email.  Phoned again an hour later, same thing, but she also added if they don't come, try again tomorrow.  Still no email.

Today I phoned again and got the same guy as first call yesterday.  He is now saying there seems to be an issue with your flights, I will speak to a supervisor and call you back - before the end of the week!

Come on MSC, please get your act together.

Apologies for my long winded moan!

Thank you.  I've read in another post now that testing is available at the port, so hopefully that will still be the case at the start of June. Enjoy your trip. 

2 hours ago, jls pebbles said:

Sorry lovetoholiday I can't confirm as no experience. I understand ncl policy mentions testing at port will be at your cost in your situation. But policy can change frequently and I'm not following any changes.

Thanks anyway. I don't mind paying, it would just be easier for us to get done at the port as we are returning to Heathrow late the night before from another cruise and then flying out early for the NCL one.  We obviously didn't think this through when booking 😂 it seemed like a good idea then.

1 hour ago, jls pebbles said:

Currently on the Epic. Boarding in Barcelona was a breeze. They have health check desks outside the terminal and ask for passport covid test certificate and Vaccination certificate. They also take your luggage. If tested within 3 days no requirement to test through Eurofins.

Entertainment is Burn the Floor  Prescilla Queen of the Desert Howl at the Moon Juggeler and Ariel Duo. I asked how many was on board and was advised 1500 so approx 33% capacity. Will try and take photos of dailies and upload over the next day or 2

Happy to answer any other questions.

Can I just ask to clarify,  if you have not tested are you then able to do it at the port?  Thanks.

Does anyone know if NCL offer testing at the port in Barcelona?  Sailing on 5th June and flying back to the UK from a MSC cruise on the 4th (too late for testing at Heathrow) then flying out with NCL flights early the next day. Too early for airport testing. 

Barcelona cruise port testing would be the easiest, so fingers crossed.

Thanks.

The same to you both.  Hopefully it can only get better.  Very best wishes.

Hope everyone got on safely for the 13th/14th cruises.  It would be great if you could let us know how it all went,  before you got on, during the cruise and after you get off.  Not that I am rushing you off, but looking forward to getting on on the 28th. 😀 Thank you, and have a great cruise!

Great, thanks for the update.