Advice / Experience needed - Tested positive a week before sailing

[Belgica2022]

So... my wife just tested positive on an official Antigen/LFT test and is required to isolate for 5 days. She's currently asymptomatic. This has happened about a week before we're due to embark on our first cruise with MSC. Naturally we're now completely unsure what to do and reading through the MSC website has simply left us more confused. It doesn't help that it's not clear which information is outdated and which is recent. 

We're embarking from Hamburg so expected to do the COVID Antigen test within 48 hours of travel. Considering the timeframe of likely infection we would expect her to test negative by that point (but of course no guarantee). However, we're not sure how to interpret how MSC will handle this, especially having read through the Health form. Basically she can answer no to all of the questions on the form (relating to the 14 days before the cruise) apart from this one: For those who speak German "Wurden Sie positiv auf COVID-19 getestet oder waren Sie in Quarantäne in Zusammenhang mit einer COVID-19 Infektion?" = "Have you tested positive or were you in Quarantine in relation to a C-19 infection?" What's not clear is if MSC use this to inform a risk-assessment - so assuming testing negative, no symptoms, no temperature etc - she would be allowed to board, OR anyone with a positive test in the past 14 days will be struck-off.. Basically, are we already pre-destined to be denied boarding now, or is there still a chance?

I plan to call MSC tomorrow but just wondered if anyone had experience of this type of situation. Sorry - hope all above is clear- it's been a stressful evening. 😐 Thanks very much in advance!

[Paphillyguy]

Her test may not necessarily be negative.  When I had it in December, it took about 17 days to test negative.  My work had me test every 2 days.  

 

I am curious to see if anyone had experience with this 

[hamrag]

58 minutes ago, Belgica2022 said:

So... my wife just tested positive on an official Antigen/LFT test and is required to isolate for 5 days. She's currently asymptomatic. This has happened about a week before we're due to embark on our first cruise with MSC. Naturally we're now completely unsure what to do and reading through the MSC website has simply left us more confused. It doesn't help that it's not clear which information is outdated and which is recent. 

We're embarking from Hamburg so expected to do the COVID Antigen test within 48 hours of travel. Considering the timeframe of likely infection we would expect her to test negative by that point (but of course no guarantee). However, we're not sure how to interpret how MSC will handle this, especially having read through the Health form. Basically she can answer no to all of the questions on the form (relating to the 14 days before the cruise) apart from this one: For those who speak German "Wurden Sie positiv auf COVID-19 getestet oder waren Sie in Quarantäne in Zusammenhang mit einer COVID-19 Infektion?" = "Have you tested positive or were you in Quarantine in relation to a C-19 infection?" What's not clear is if MSC use this to inform a risk-assessment - so assuming testing negative, no symptoms, no temperature etc - she would be allowed to board, OR anyone with a positive test in the past 14 days will be struck-off.. Basically, are we already pre-destined to be denied boarding now, or is there still a chance?

I plan to call MSC tomorrow but just wondered if anyone had experience of this type of situation. Sorry - hope all above is clear- it's been a stressful evening. 😐 Thanks very much in advance!

Yes, you've laid out the position clearly. MSC will deny boarding based on the information you provided in your post.

[kernow]

I had it 3 and a half weeks ago, tested positive for 10 days. We are due to board Virtuosa tomorrow and I tested negative yesterday.

I don't think your wife will be able to board. A couple of people on our FB group have tested positive over the last week and have been able to switch their cruises to a later date.

[Belgica2022]

Well, I just spoke to MSC (Germany). In case useful to anyone, they've given us 2 options:

• Don't cancel yet, but keep testing and as long as she has an official negative test within 48 hours before departure, she can board - despite the 14 day health questionnaire - they said that it should be filled out honestly, but that it is the test result the defines whether someone can board or not.
• As we are within 15 days of travel, changing to another cruise (which was what we wanted to do - same cruise, same ship, 3 weeks later) is not possible under their rules, so cancellation is the only option - and claim on the COVID insurance.

We're still considering what to do - we both work so deciding to change holiday plans to June literally the day we are due to depart if she still tests positive is difficult. Such a shame as this was our first try at a cruise.

I'm going to try MSC again as it would seem silly administratively on both sides that we cancel, claim separately via insurance and then book another cruise - whenthey could transfer our booking to a later cruise - same ship and destination + charge for additional costs etc. But expecting same answer.

[Belgica2022]

6 hours ago, kernow said:

I had it 3 and a half weeks ago, tested positive for 10 days. We are due to board Virtuosa tomorrow and I tested negative yesterday.

I don't think your wife will be able to board. A couple of people on our FB group have tested positive over the last week and have been able to switch their cruises to a later date.

Were those in the FB group within the same period before sailing? or a few weeks? Thanks

[kernow]

54 minutes ago, Belgica2022 said:

Were those in the FB group within the same period before sailing? or a few weeks? Thanks

We sail tomorrow and both were in the last week. Not sure if they booked direct with UK office or with a TA but both said they had been allowed to change and pay any difference in price.

[Belgica2022]

4 minutes ago, kernow said:

We sail tomorrow and both were in the last week. Not sure if they booked direct with UK office or with a TA but both said they had been allowed to change and pay any difference in price.

Thanks for letting me know - seems we got unlucky with the call centre. Will try again via email anyway.

[kernow]

2 minutes ago, Belgica2022 said:

Thanks for letting me know - seems we got unlucky with the call centre. Will try again via email anyway.

Typical of MSC I think to give different answers, keep trying and you might get an answer you like.

[Beachin2]

1 hour ago, Belgica2022 said:

Thanks for letting me know - seems we got unlucky with the call centre. Will try again via email anyway.

Be aware that their email response time has been known to be glacial.  You "may" not get an answer before your cruise date.

 

I'd call again.  Many have had good luck with different reps.  Kind of like spinning the wheel at a fair.

[jkhneuberfee]

On 5/12/2022 at 3:11 PM, Belgica2022 said:

I'm going to try MSC again as it would seem silly administratively on both sides that we cancel, claim separately via insurance and then book another cruise

 

Yes but this way your canceled cruise will be paid trough insurance, the second one by you. Twice the money for MSC 

[MarkusToe]

If you are within DE, and you are asymtomatic.. .search for covidgum at pharmacy. Next search for test stations using lollytest.....    

[Morecruisesplz]

On 5/11/2022 at 3:56 PM, Paphillyguy said:

Her test may not necessarily be negative.  When I had it in December, it took about 17 days to test negative.  My work had me test every 2 days.  

 

I am curious to see if anyone had experience with this 

10 days after 1st symptoms for me to test negative. My wife is 12 days into it and still positive. The question is, do you want to fly to port and possibly still be unable to cruise... one or both of you.