Notification Dated: Friday, March 4, 2022 12:13
Dear All,
we are facing an unpleasant and recurring situation concerning some Romanian guests on board our ship when calling the British Virgin Islands (MSC Seaview).
Some Romanian guests never returned onboard after the disembarkation to go ashore. This happened on few different cruises some weeks ago and continues to happen.
We have been informed by the Local Authorities that, due to this unpleasant trend, for the next calls and until further notice, the Romanian citizens could be denied to entry the British Virgin Islands.
Guests could embark on the ship and could remain on board but could not be allowed to disembark upon the arrival at the Virgin Islands.
This decision is beyond our control and it is at the discretion of the local authorities.
In case of further developments, we will keep you posted accordingly.
Kind regards
MSC Crociere Spa
**********************
Notification Dated: 22.05.2023 - VENICE port - embarkation in Venice Marghera
For all guests sailing on a cruise from Venice embarkation procedures and luggage drop-off are performed in Venice Maritime Station, then guests are transferred by ferry to the ship, docked in Marghera (40 minutes transfer).
All embarkation procedures, including baggage drop-off, are held at Venice Cruise Terminal in Venice Maritime Station (Venice Passenger Terminal), therefore guests are kindly asked not to reach autonomously Marghera port.
- The cruise ship will depart from Marghera port. A transfer by ferry from Venice Cruise Terminal to Marghera port is organized by MSC Cruises. Guests with disabilities or reduced mobility should contact their accredited travel agencies or the MSC contact center for special arrangements.
Guests embarking in Venice who also want to visit the city may do so on the last day of their cruise. They can opt for one of the MSC Excursions available for disembarkation day or choose to explore the city autonomously.
MSC Crociere SPA
*****
Notification Dated: 29.08.2023 CAR AREA - Main Dining Restaurant : Surcharge $5 for additional Entree
As per august 8th , on all ships sailing from U.S. homeports, Caribbeans area only, an extra cost of $5 per person is charged for any extra entrées required in MAIN DINING RESTAURANT; the first entrée remains complimentary, as do all appetizers and desserts.
This communication is for your information only and no action is required from you.
However, if you receive complaints from your guests, or any problems should arise caused by bad publicity on social networks or any other form of communication, you can use the below and approved statement, reactively and not proactively.
MSC Cruises is committed to maintaining the unmatched value of cruise vacations, even as costs for food products, other goods and services continue to rapidly climb. We are implementing a modest surcharge on ships sailing from U.S. homeports to cover costs for guests who order extra entrées in the main dining room. The first entrée remains complimentary, as do all appetizers and desserts. A $5 surcharge applies only to additional entrées. Like other cruise lines that have made similar changes, we believe the surcharge spreads costs more fairly than increasing cruise fares across the board, while preserving our ability to provide quick and consistent service in the main dining room. We also believe this will reduce food waste, which is in line with our mission of reducing the company’s environmental impact.
All websites will show the following information proactively in FAQ’s or other relevant sections of the website.
For cruises departing from a U.S. homeport: The first entrée, appetizers, and desserts are complimentary per each guest. For guests who wish to order a second entrée, an additional surcharge of $5 will be applied.
MSC Crociere SPA
*****
Clarification about MSC Cruises ships calling Spanish ports such as Malaga and Cadiz, from which it is possible to book excursions in Gibraltar.
Since last July, Spanish authorities have been strictly applying the Schengen Convention of transit passengers on cruise ships, according to which Non-Schengen guests are only allowed to stay in the same country where the ship is docked.
Based on this - as Gibraltar is a Non-Schengen country - it is allowed to cross the border only to guests coming from Schengen countries, with NO EXCEPTION allowed.
Therefore, for all Non- Schengen passengers cruising on a ship calling Spanish it is not possible to visit Gibraltar but, of course, they can go ashore or choose an MSC excursion in Spain.
IMPORTANT: If the ship docks directly in Gibraltar, all passengers, regardless of whether they are Schengen or Non-Schengen, can visit Gibraltar ONLY and it is not allowed to cross its borders.
MSC Crociere Spa
******
Update 23.02.2024 from MSC Crociere SPA - MSC VIRTUOSA/EMBARKING DOHA - IMMIGRATION GUIDELINES OFFICIAL UPDATE
Please be so kind to take note about updates from Qatar Authorities and related specifically to MSC Virtuosa’s guests embarking in Qatar.
Due to strict Qatar Immigration Regulations, all guests embarking in Doha have to consider that, once checked in and onboard, they are not allowed to go ashore any longer. In case, they can drop off the luggage at the Terminal, visit the Town and only after return to the Terminal, perform the check-in and board the ship.