haven't cruised since 2017, never on MSC

[hoophome]

Hello all,

 

As title says haven't cruised since 2017, but an opportunity arose today to do 4 day divina on short notice from port canaveral in 2 weeks...I have some covid questions and some general MSC questions since I haven't cruised them before and I found the website to be somewhere between very outdated, very limited in its information or very difficult to maneuver...maybe all 3 lol.  So I turn to the experts here.

 

1. Can someone tell me the current COVID policy?  Do passengers need to be vaccinated and have negative test prior to boarding?

2. What policies/procedures, if any, are in place on board to make sure infected passengers are not wandering the ship infecting others? 

 

I hate to admit it, but I think if I was on board during cruise and not feeling well, if it is honor policy to go to ships medical facilities to get tested I would probably not do that because who wants to spend their cruise quarantined in your room?  I understand that is incredibly selfish and inconsiderate of everyone else  on board and I am not being a good cruise citizen to do that...but if I'm thinking that may be  how I would handle it, that means there are others thinking the same thing so what policies/procedures are in place once on board?  Just knowing everyone boarded negative does not feel sufficient to me, people may get it  in port, and bring it back to ship.

 

3. One thing I enjoy about cruising is in the main dining room being able to get multiple appetizers/entrees to try new foods interesting dishes because sometimes it is just too darn hard to choose one delicious thing from the menu! Is that still allowed?  In this unfortunate period of  inflation and cruise lines trying to reduce their costs and maintain their bottom lines without raising prices too much, I would be very disappointed to be at the dining room the first night and be told it's only 1 item per course.  

 

4, I will be travelling solo, but with a group of 6 others.  It seems from reading some messages and reviews here it seems If we all want to dine together  we all have to have the same packages (I'm specifically referring to the drink package) even if we are booking separately??  Am I misunderstanding that?  I have never run into that before on any other cruise line.

 

5.  I believe there is one formal night on a 4 day cruise.  I don't think everyone in my group will want to do that.  Is buffet open on formal night with a  casual dress code? 

 

6.  Does anyone know in the casino if blackjack pays 3:2 or 6:5 at the low limit tables?

 

Thank you so much in advance!

[perakcruiser]

46 minutes ago, hoophome said:

3. One thing I enjoy about cruising is in the main dining room being able to get multiple appetizers/entrees to try new foods interesting dishes because sometimes it is just too darn hard to choose one delicious thing from the menu! Is that still allowed?  In this unfortunate period of  inflation and cruise lines trying to reduce their costs and maintain their bottom lines without raising prices too much, I would be very disappointed to be at the dining room the first night and be told it's only 1 item per course.  

 

4, I will be travelling solo, but with a group of 6 others.  It seems from reading some messages and reviews here it seems If we all want to dine together  we all have to have the same packages (I'm specifically referring to the drink package) even if we are booking separately??  Am I misunderstanding that?  I have never run into that before on any other cruise line.

 

5.  I believe there is one formal night on a 4 day cruise.  I don't think everyone in my group will want to do that.  Is buffet open on formal night with a  casual dress code? 

 

3. Certainly you can combine starters and mains as you want. 3 starters, one main, no starters, two mains, whatever, nobody cares.

 

4. You will not be able to link the bookings if not all have a drinks package. But this is necessary to sit together at dinner. Second chance is on board, in theory the maitre d does not really care about the packages (depends on the person of cause) when you ask to be seated together. But a table for 7 will maybe not so easy to get.

 

5. You need to understand the concept of elegant/gala (no formal) on European cruise lines. It should be seen as offer for you to enjoy the cruise more. It is not an obligation. The "requirements" are only minimal and can be easily met with normal shoes, trousers and not even a collared shirt is needed. But you might feel not so comfortable if you share a table only with people who want to celebrate the elegant night and dress up to the max 😄 And there are many doing this, especially from Southern Europe and France. 

 

Yes, buffet is open always and the dress code there alwwys is extremly casual. 

[mscdivina2016]

10 hours ago, hoophome said:

Hello all,

 

As title says haven't cruised since 2017, but an opportunity arose today to do 4 day divina on short notice from port canaveral in 2 weeks...I have some covid questions and some general MSC questions since I haven't cruised them before and I found the website to be somewhere between very outdated, very limited in its information or very difficult to maneuver...maybe all 3 lol.  So I turn to the experts here.

 

1. Can someone tell me the current COVID policy?  Do passengers need to be vaccinated and have negative test prior to boarding?

2. What policies/procedures, if any, are in place on board to make sure infected passengers are not wandering the ship infecting others? 

 

I hate to admit it, but I think if I was on board during cruise and not feeling well, if it is honor policy to go to ships medical facilities to get tested I would probably not do that because who wants to spend their cruise quarantined in your room?  I understand that is incredibly selfish and inconsiderate of everyone else  on board and I am not being a good cruise citizen to do that...but if I'm thinking that may be  how I would handle it, that means there are others thinking the same thing so what policies/procedures are in place once on board?  Just knowing everyone boarded negative does not feel sufficient to me, people may get it  in port, and bring it back to ship.

 

3. One thing I enjoy about cruising is in the main dining room being able to get multiple appetizers/entrees to try new foods interesting dishes because sometimes it is just too darn hard to choose one delicious thing from the menu! Is that still allowed?  In this unfortunate period of  inflation and cruise lines trying to reduce their costs and maintain their bottom lines without raising prices too much, I would be very disappointed to be at the dining room the first night and be told it's only 1 item per course.  

 

4, I will be travelling solo, but with a group of 6 others.  It seems from reading some messages and reviews here it seems If we all want to dine together  we all have to have the same packages (I'm specifically referring to the drink package) even if we are booking separately??  Am I misunderstanding that?  I have never run into that before on any other cruise line.

 

5.  I believe there is one formal night on a 4 day cruise.  I don't think everyone in my group will want to do that.  Is buffet open on formal night with a  casual dress code? 

 

6.  Does anyone know in the casino if blackjack pays 3:2 or 6:5 at the low limit tables?

 

Thank you so much in advance!

Use a TA!!! Costs you nothing and when an issue occurs, they will deal with it.

 

Worst IT and customer service in the industry.

[Georgia_Peaches]

10 hours ago, hoophome said:

Hello all,

 

 

 

1. Can someone tell me the current COVID policy?  Do passengers need to be vaccinated and have negative test prior to boarding?

2. What policies/procedures, if any, are in place on board to make sure infected passengers are not wandering the ship infecting others? 

 

I hate to admit it, but I think if I was on board during cruise and not feeling well, if it is honor policy to go to ships medical facilities to get tested I would probably not do that because who wants to spend their cruise quarantined in your room?  I understand that is incredibly selfish and inconsiderate of everyone else  on board and I am not being a good cruise citizen to do that...but if I'm thinking that may be  how I would handle it, that means there are others thinking the same thing so what policies/procedures are in place once on board?  Just knowing everyone boarded negative does not feel sufficient to me, people may get it  in port, and bring it back to ship.

 

 

 

 

  IMO it is not the cruise line's responsibility to ensure people do the right thing.  Yes, to being vaccinated, and yes to negative test.  But you assume risk while traveling during Covid.  You can take certain precautions yourself but there is no guarantee.  

 

I find it interesting that you want to know what MSC is doing to prevent people like you from wandering around the ship if they (the passenger) suspect they might have Covid.  Sadly, you are probably right.  I'm sure there are people who decide not to seek a test.  If you go on this cruise, I suggest you take along a personal testing kit.  At least that way, if you start to feel ill, you can test yourself and then decide if you want to leave your cabin or not should your test produce a positive result.

[hoophome]

Thank you everyone who responded!!

[Homosassa]

On 7/17/2022 at 11:45 PM, perakcruiser said:

 

 

4. You will not be able to link the bookings if not all have a drinks package. But this is necessary to sit together at dinner. Second chance is on board, in theory the maitre d does not really care about the packages (depends on the person of cause) when you ask to be seated together. But a table for 7 will maybe not so easy to get.

 

 

Incorrect.  All cabins in a group rate booking must all have the same perks or inclusions (such as a drink package).

 

However, individual reservations numbers (different cabins) can be linked although some cabins may have  drink packages.

 

We frequently cruised with linked reservation numbers for other cabins for dinner  and are assigned the same table although some of the passengers have drink packages and others do not.

 

The trick is that all the linked cabins must be booked at the same experience level with the same dining privileges.

[alohayall]

@Homosassa Thank you for that explanation.  Clear and informative.  

[hoophome]

Sorry I have a few more questions 🙂

 

1. I don't recall if I've ever been given a boarding time on other cruise lines and ignored it or just go early and get on early to maximize my first day ship time.  I have been told by MSC my boarding time is 2 PM...can I show up before that and get on board?

 

2.  At Nassau, will I be able to use American Dollars easily?

 

3. I love that this itinerary has an overnight at Ocean Cay...I have never been on a cruise that did an overnight at the private island, very much looking forward to it.  But I'm not gonna spend every minute on the island.  I imagine Buffet and Bars remain open on ship.  What about main dining room for lunch? Casino? Spa?

 

Thanks again for your help  

[wcook]

1 hour ago, hoophome said:

2.  At Nassau, will I be able to use American Dollars easily?

Lol. In all my trips to the Bahamas, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Bahaman Dollar. I suspect the merchants in Nassau would look at you funny if you tried to use one. Greenbacks are effectively the currency in any tourist area like Nassau. Bahaman dollars are worth one USD, so prices are just marked in dollars.  

Edited July 20, 2022 by wcook

[Illbcruzn4life]

11 hours ago, Homosassa said:

Incorrect.  All cabins in a group rate booking must all have the same perks or inclusions (such as a drink package).

 

However, individual reservations numbers (different cabins) can be linked although some cabins may have  drink packages.

 

We frequently cruised with linked reservation numbers for other cabins for dinner  and are assigned the same table although some of the passengers have drink packages and others do not.

 

The trick is that all the linked cabins must be booked at the same experience level with the same dining privileges.

that makes me feel better! TYVM!!

[dexddd]

Nassau, yes, they'd be happy to take every US dollar out of your pocket the moment you step on land.

 

As an added bonus, some will feel to upgrade the experience to try to sell you drugs.

[Nunagoras]

On 7/18/2022 at 3:44 AM, hoophome said:

Hello all,

 

As title says haven't cruised since 2017, but an opportunity arose today to do 4 day divina on short notice from port canaveral in 2 weeks...I have some covid questions and some general MSC questions since I haven't cruised them before and I found the website to be somewhere between very outdated, very limited in its information or very difficult to maneuver...maybe all 3 lol.  So I turn to the experts here.

 

1. Can someone tell me the current COVID policy?  Do passengers need to be vaccinated and have negative test prior to boarding? - Yes to both. On top of that pax should have travel insurance that covers Covid related expenses.

2. What policies/procedures, if any, are in place on board to make sure infected passengers are not wandering the ship infecting others? - If a pax tests positive during the cruise he/she will to be confined to his/her cabin or a confinement cabin at least for the number of days requested by legal authorities on your embarkation port.

 

I hate to admit it, but I think if I was on board during cruise and not feeling well, if it is honor policy to go to ships medical facilities to get tested I would probably not do that because who wants to spend their cruise quarantined in your room?  I understand that is incredibly selfish and inconsiderate of everyone else  on board and I am not being a good cruise citizen to do that...but if I'm thinking that may be  how I would handle it, that means there are others thinking the same thing so what policies/procedures are in place once on board?  Just knowing everyone boarded negative does not feel sufficient to me, people may get it  in port, and bring it back to ship. - Perhaps better for you to await a little bit more to cruise? Either way: This is for what true reliable travel insurance is a must have these days. Covid is serious, but not the end of this world nowadays. We know mostly how to live with it within us. IMHO; I'd go with the flow, bearing in mind that all is possible and if needed, there is someone to help us to cope with the expenses. To tell you how confident I'm; if it wasn't for some personal life matters, today, instead of being here answering cruise questions, I'd have been on Virtuosa doing a southern med cruise!!!...

 

3. One thing I enjoy about cruising is in the main dining room being able to get multiple appetizers/entrees to try new foods interesting dishes because sometimes it is just too darn hard to choose one delicious thing from the menu! Is that still allowed?  In this unfortunate period of  inflation and cruise lines trying to reduce their costs and maintain their bottom lines without raising prices too much, I would be very disappointed to be at the dining room the first night and be told it's only 1 item per course.  - You can order anything from the MDR's menu. Portions on MSC are generally smaller than on the American lines. That's OK on me. Want more, just ask.

 

4, I will be travelling solo, but with a group of 6 others.  It seems from reading some messages and reviews here it seems If we all want to dine together  we all have to have the same packages (I'm specifically referring to the drink package) even if we are booking separately??  Am I misunderstanding that?  I have never run into that before on any other cruise line. - On MSC all people in same table must be on the same drinks package. That's the rule. As in other things that can be inconsistent. Either way: Most bookings will have a drinks package as part of the deal these days.

 

5.  I believe there is one formal night on a 4 day cruise.  I don't think everyone in my group will want to do that.  Is buffet open on formal night with a  casual dress code? - Don't know if there is a formal night on a less than 5 nights cruise, but even if yes, don't worry. Something like a nice pair of trousers and a collared polo shirt for man and similar minded dress for woman must suffix these days for formal night! You won't be alone on that!...

 

6.  Does anyone know in the casino if blackjack pays 3:2 or 6:5 at the low limit tables? - Never used the casino, so can't answer that.

 

Thank you so much in advance!

Have your answers in blue and have a nice day and a nice sailing!...

[Nunagoras]

14 hours ago, hoophome said:

Sorry I have a few more questions 🙂

 

1. I don't recall if I've ever been given a boarding time on other cruise lines and ignored it or just go early and get on early to maximize my first day ship time.  I have been told by MSC my boarding time is 2 PM...can I show up before that and get on board? - That depends mostly on whether your boarding terminal is being strict or not on those rules. Generally I've never had problems going way before or even after my boarding time, but that was before the pandemic.

 

2.  At Nassau, will I be able to use American Dollars easily? - Never been there. Others have answered it for you.

 

3. I love that this itinerary has an overnight at Ocean Cay...I have never been on a cruise that did an overnight at the private island, very much looking forward to it.  But I'm not gonna spend every minute on the island.  I imagine Buffet and Bars remain open on ship.  What about main dining room for lunch? Casino? Spa? - At private island day; most of the crew will go to service the island itself. Buffet and at least the atrium bar will to be open. Maybe the MDR for dinner will also open. Spa will be transferred for the island. Casino may open at certain hours. Other services will open as per your daily schedule distributed to your cabin.

 

Thanks again for your help