B2B Support Portal

Please find below details that might have effects on the booked Cruise : 

https://www.msccruises.com/int/manage-booking/before-you-go

 https://www.msccruises.com/int/manage-booking/before-you-go/travel-documents-visas

I. MSC Seaview calling British Virgin Islands (notification dated 04.03.2022)

II. Venice port - embarkation in Venice Marghera (notification dated 22.05.2023)- detailed explanation for embarkation procedure below

III. Caribean - CAR AREA- Main Dining Restaurant: Surcharge $5 for additional Entree required in MAIN DINING RESTAURANT; the first entrée remains complimentary, as do all appetizers and desserts.  (notification dated 29.08.2023) 

IV. Clarification about MSC Cruises ships calling Spanish ports such as Malaga and Cadiz, from which it is possible to book excursions in Gibraltar. 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.(notification dated 03.11.2023)

V.  MSC VIRTUOSA/EMBARKING DOHA - IMMIGRATION GUIDELINES OFFICIAL UPDATE- 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. (notification updated 23.02.2024)

VI. VENICE Entry FEE (update 02.05.2024) details below.

VII. Regarding the upcoming departures of MSC Splendida Summer 24 calling at Istanbul -- not valid anymore.

VIII. HIGH PRIORITY - New  restrictions on entry for Russian citizens in Norway (update 04.06.2024); all Russian Tourist passport holders cannot enter Norway from 29th of May. In special conditions, ONLY transiting Norway (not embarking/disembarking) will be exceptionally accepted onboard. More details here

IX. Special Embarkation/Disembarkation in GREEK Islands NOT ALLOWED- summer 2024- therefore it won’t be possible to approve any request of special embarkation/disembarkation in these ports before or during the cruise.  (notification dated 28.05.2024)

X. ICELAND - ACCOMMODATION TAX - MSC PREZIOSA-POESIA-VIRTUOSA ITINERARIES 2024 & DEPARTURES 2025 - NEW UPDATES on point XV below ( new tax value for ISLAND)  Update info on Point XV below.

XI.  MSC Minors policy (notification 17.04.2025)

XII. MSC EURIBIA- Entry requirements for United Arab Emirates- all passports must have a residual validity of at least 6 months - instead of the 3 months reported and shared so far - for Nationals from all Countries.  (notification 24.11.2024)

XIII. NEW SMOKING POLICY ACROSS MSC FLEET EFFECTIVE FROM OCT2024 

XIV.  Check-in timing WINTER 24/25 SOC, CAR, NOR, WEE, EMW ( Caraibe; Europa De Nord; Mediterana; Emirate) _Attached document

XV. ICELAND - NEW INFASTRUCTURE TAX ISO ACCOMMODATION TAX FOR CRUISES GUESTS  - MSC PREZIOSA & VIRTUOSA 2025/2026 DEPARTURES - tax to be paid on board-  see details below

XVI. IMPORTANT - ACCESSIBILITY&MEDICAL REQUEST FORM - to be filled in (attached)

XVII. Important information concerning Cruise Ships calling in UK,  ETA & API requirements - please check HERE

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I. 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

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II. 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

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V. Notification 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.

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VI. Update 02.05.2024 ref VENICE entry FEE

The local authorities in Venice have introduced a new access fee for tourists spending the day in Venice (currently it is foreseen up to 14^th July 2024, any update will follow). Starting from 25 April 2024, daily visitors entering Venice between 8:30 and 16:00 are required to pay €5 before entering.  

The tax to Venice will be payable on the dedicated website https://cda.ve.it/en/ which will issue a QR code to be presented in the event of an inspection.

Even those guests who are exempted from payment (see below for details) must register themselves on the above website and get the QR code.

Passengers exempted from payment: 

• Embarking/Disembarking cruise lines guests joining the cruise terminal on embarkation and disembarkation day.
• Minors under 14 yo
• Tourists who book own accommodation in Venice, Marghera or Mestre (they will need to pay the tourist tax for overnight stays that has been in place for a while already) or MSC Stay & Cruise guests. 
• Holders of the European Disability Card and their accompanying person. 
• People born or living in the Municipality Venice
• People accessing Venice for school, work, or medical care.
• People resident in Veneto

All the a/m categories need to register themselves and obtain the QR for exemption on the dedicated website  (https://cda.ve.it/en/)

In addition, pls note as follows:

Kindly note that :

• Guests travelling to or from the Stazione Marittima to embark or disembark are not required to pay if they do not enter the Ancient City.
• Minors under 14 YO ,  are not required to pay and do not need to place a reservation for access. They must prove their age with a valid identity document during inspections.
• People born in the Municipality of Venice do not have to request exemption and/or pay the Access Fee, but they must prove, upon inspection, if any, their status by showing a document from which their birth in Venice is derived.

Important notes :

• In case guests wish to visit Venice Old City  (e.g. Piazza San Marco) by themselves before and after the cruise, they must register themselves for 2 days and pay twice the city tax.
• Guest booked on Venice shore excursions managed by MSC Cruises do not need to pay this fee directly, as MSC will process this on their behalf and debit their onboard account. They do not need to register and obtain the QR code.

Passengers requested to pay the fee : 

• Transit guests taking part to a MSC Excursion: Msc Cruises will pay the fee on their behalf and will add it to their onboard account.
• Disembarking guests performing a Msc Excursion : Msc Cruises will pay the fee on their behalf and will add it to their onboard account.
• Transit guests who will visit the city individually once the ship is docked.
• Guests planning to visit independently the city , prior or after joining the Stanzione Marittima to embark/disembark the Cruise ship by their own.

FAQ - https://cda.ve.it/en/faq#persons-exempt

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XI.  MSC Minors policy (notification 17.04.2025)

1. Infants under 2 year old are admitted on board, except for cruises starting from 11 nights onwards, for which it is required that the minor is at least 2 year old at the moment of embarkation. 
2. Guests under 18 y.o. (or 21 y.o. for US guests or guests embarking from a US port) must travel accompanied by their parents or a legal guardian. Otherwise, a signed authorization letter from the absent parent has to be provided when booking, along with the name of a chaperone or a designated individual in charge of the minor.

MSC Crociere Spa

Via A. Depretis, 31

80133 Napoli, Italy

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XIII. NEW SMOKING POLICY ACROSS MSC FLEET EFFECTIVE FROM OCT2024

In light of enhance the guest experience across MSC fleet, we have updated the SMOKING POLICY for indoor areas: effective from October 2024, all cigar lounges on board our ships have been repurposed as regular lounges. 

 Below the key guidelines:  

• Smoking will be forbidden in all inside areas, with the sole exception of         Casinos. 
• The Casinos on World Europa and Euribia will remain non-smoking areas. 
• All lounges previously designated for smoking have been converted into non-smoking lounges. 
• Smoking is permitted only in outdoor dedicated areas indicated by signage where ashtrays are provided

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XV. ICELAND - NEW INFASTRUCTURE TAX ISO ACCOMMODATION TAX FOR CRUISES GUESTS  - MSC PREZIOSA & VIRTUOSA 2025/2026 DEPARTURES - tax to be paid of board

starting from 1^st January 2025 the Icelandic government has amended the tax policy for passengers on international cruise ships.

They are replacing the current accommodation tax with a new “infrastructure tax”

 The amount of this new tax is ISK 2500 per passenger per day (approximately EUR 17-18 pp pd)

• It will be applied to all passengers, both adults and children.
• The amount now applies for every 24 hours of stay and no longer «per night»; therefore, on all 2025 cruises the amount will be 10.000 ISK per passenger (approximately 69/70 euro).
• The fee will be charged to the passengers' onboard account.

Considering that this situation occurs beyond our control and will, we can't offer any compensation and/or free cancellation.

Here below the departures involved