papcx

2 hours ago, parrothead0918 said:

Greetings to all.  Was going to book a cruise on the IOS when a Meraviglia cruise came to my attention and intrigued me. Have cruised on IOS, but never cruised MSC and know nothing of Meraviglia.  Which would you choose if ports were not important?

Hi there.  I've cruised Indy twice and Meraviglia.

We've cruised a lot of Royal, and a few MSC.

We'd go Meraviglia no doubt.

Thoughts and prayers.

3 hours ago, Beamafar said:

Lest there be any doubt in people’s minds regarding requirements around Covid, I just received the following text from MSC:

 

For me there has never been any doubt!

On 3/7/2023 at 11:22 AM, rini47 said:

There wasnt much interest from the roll call but I know the agent has space for private tours in Abu Dhabi.  Muscat.  Jeddah,,,,pl see details of itineraries posted before…and surely a few of us can set up a group for Abu Dhabi.  Muscat.  Jeddah. Pl email me rini47@hotmail.com

since time is short my WhatsApp is +6591543301

I've emailed you.

On 3/7/2023 at 8:58 AM, leo238 said:

THANK YOU SO MUCH to 40yearcruiser for your detailed reply! We'll try that again ASAP.  The frustrating thing really is this cruise line will not do a blanket visa type of arrangement for its passengers (esp. from USA and Canada) and even if we won't get off in SA due to all these troubles we were told we need this or they won't let you embark!    

 

Regarding your comments on the COVID testing, I'd like to share that we actually called MSC today and they confirmed to us that NO testing is now necessary! Well, we hope they are correct as we ain't doing any!!

 

Thank You again to 40yearcruiser. We wish you safe travels and hope someone will set up a Meet and Mingle so we can meet! And as we'd also like to join the private tours that anyone may organise for the Middle East cities....Rini?  Please let us know if we can still join you! Thanks!   

 

You need a test.

I asked the same thing, was told no. asked them to confirm for the grand voyage and was confirmed we DO need a test.

The agents just look at Dubai cruises, not grand voyage.

Paul & Jean by the way, from Manchester, England.

And a question from me.

Does anyone have 2 spots available for tours/trips in Muscat or Jeddah.

Cheers.

Other bits.

If you're flying into Doha, you need to buy the insurance or you'll be held up.

Flying into the UAE? If you take any medication, have you checked if it's on the banned list and applied for the exception?

Saudi Arabia visa.

You DO NOT need a visa if you are staying onboard.

It's a transit by sea visa and costs about $22 (in 3 separate charges, The visa, a service charge and health insurance)

This is the site : https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/

And this is a step by step guide (Italian, but should translate) : https://www.timetraveldream.it/2022/12/arabia-saudita-guida-al-visto.html

People seem to have more luck using a PC rather than a tablet, or phone.  Probably the bigger screen.

You won't receive it yet.  As long as your application is "in process" or something similar, it will be emailed a couple of days before we arrive and the ship will print it for us.

Ahoy.

Yes, I'm late to the party.

Not a lot of chat on here, but I can clarify a few things.

You DO, that's you DO need a test.  MSC agents are giving duff information based on cruises from Doha, Dubai &  Abu Dhabi.

If you ask for clarity for a GRAND VOYAGE (as I did) they will confirm you DO need a test.

It's all on the web site BUT go to grand voyage not Dubai etc.

Or ordering room service the first day and keeping the tray to use on lido.

This is genius. 18 cruises and never thought of this.

I’ll be using this idea yo get our coffees and pastries back to the cabin for breakfast!

The TV has 1 maybe 2 USB sockets.

Can be used to charge phones, iPads etc, as long as it’s turned on.

WOW, just wow.

Dare I mention queuing?

My memory may be wrong, but I don't think they were for Harmony either. I thought, with equally vague memory there were finished with Royal took possession of the ship prior to her first sailing.

You remember rightly. The slides weren’t ready until (if I remember rightly) day 3 of her 1st sailing.

Not found but missing: my tube of toothpaste. Found the next morning in the shower. Later found out that our stewardess had found out she was pregnant' date=' and was a tad distracted.[/quote']

 

 

 

What happens on a cruise ship, stays on the cruise ship.

 

Although, maybe not in this case!

Hello papcx, We have just made a late booking for the same Baltic cruise. I cannot get into the excursions as yet for prices. I can see all the lists though. Viator and Allah seem good if they are much cheaper but as yet cannot compare. Have you booked with cmv ?

Gill

 

 

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Ahoy Silton.

We've booked the 2 day St Petersburg excursion through Alla-tours. Cheaper than CMV and limited to 16 people per mini-bus, so less waiting around. The service so far has been excellent. Booking confirmed, links to useful information etc.

See you aboard.

Lloyd, you've never let us down so far. Have you got pics of the Harmony float out?

My memory may me playing tricks but Symphony looks less finished.

Some photos from the tribute in St. Ann's Square for the Manchester Arena attack.

So a 2 device package will take care of us both, thanks! We will get much more enjoyment with internet, than with alcohol.... lol.

 

 

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Really, what's wrong with you? [emoji3][emoji3][emoji3]

There are hardly any quiet places on an Oasis-class ship!

Pool-deck is very crowded on Oasis-class compared to other class ships because of the cut outs for central-park and boardwalk.

I dis-agree. We did the Allure TA in 2015.

5,500 people on board and we had the whole of Vintages to ourselves for lunch one day. Another day we had the inconvenience of another couple in at lunch time.

Deck 5 running track had some streamer chairs right at the back, overlooking the wake. Got a seat every time we went there.

A bit busier, but the solarium always had space.

Now the pool deck is another story, but so is every cruise ship.

Wonder why they even bother taking alcohol off people.

A lot of people are on packages, so if they're drinking their own booze it's saving the ships (which they've already paid for)

I know people aren't on packages, but 6 of one....

No, she hasn't.

Plenty of friendly bar staff who will serve you though.

Does anyone know what time the Ultimate Abyss slides open on embarkation day.

You know it's coming, might as well get it out of the way. [emoji3]

Be aware that depending on which pier you are at it may be quite a walk, with luggage, to the taxi rank.