purplecow15

As far as I can tell all you need is the As far as I can tell Greece has dropped its tests for entry into country. They do require a 24 hour test before embarkation but it was super easy. We were through the dropping off bags, testing, and results passport check and security in less than 1/2 hour at port. Our arrival time was 11 am and we were on ship by 11:30am. That should be the only test you'll encounter. Believe me we had many worries about our cruises and none of them came to anything. We heard through the grapevine, so who knows if its true, that 7 people out of the approximate 1200 tested positive.

I don't know if most were eating in the buffet as we were always in specialty dining or the main dining room for dinner. Lunches, when we did the buffet, weren't very crowded but that was probably because people were on shore. I believe there were about 1200 on board. We were never told how many on board had covid, but when we returned to the ship from shore on a few occasions when going through deck 4 we did see the crew in almost hazmat suits and with medication trays going knocking on doors. We have no idea if it was passengers or crew who were ill. We had the drinks package so never had to purchase any alcohol or nonalcoholic drinks. There were signs on the bars stating only those with packages would be served while in ports. I wish I had taken a picture of the sign as I don't remember if it specified nonalcoholic drinks. I'm sure things like ice tea, water and juices were available to everyone. One couple we talked to were bummed because they were eating at Cagney's that night and couldn't get a glass of wine with dinner. It was a night we were in port till 9:30 pm. Hopefully, by the time you cruise, there will be more passengers and no masks. Either way, you'll have a great time!

Just want to update some of the things we found on our back-to-back cruise on the Jade out of Athens May 29-June 12. We had been tested in the US within 72 hours as required but were not even asked for the results. We were tested at the port as per Greek requirements. It was efficiently done and we were boarded by 11:30 am. We normally eat lunch in the main dining room on embarkation but found it was closed so ended up in O'Sheehans. We also normally meet up with family members at Magnums for pre-dinner drinks but found that was closed until 7 pm as were most bars other than the pool deck and O'Sheehans. We had the drinks package so were not affected by the new Greek issue of not allowing drinks to be sold while in port or in Greek waters. Those folks with no drinks package were not allowed alcohol until well out to sea. This was in all Greek ports. I'm sure this impacted some since we were in ports well after dinner time several days. Each bar was well signed with explanations as to why they could not serve anyone without a drinks package. The staff was terrific and very accommodating. We did find all of the restaurant venues very quiet. We had reservations at 7:30 at Le Bistro and were the only ones in there for most of our dinner. The main dining room was often mostly empty so sometimes it seemed like there was more staff than diners. During our first week, we failed to read one of the postings that came with the dailies. As Platinum members, we were apparently eligible for a $25 onboard credit for the perks they are unable to give at this time such as wine tastings, etc.. We did read it the second week and went to the desk and were given the credit but were told we had to come to the desk to receive it so missed out on the first week. Seems they could have just automatically done it without making folks stand in line for it but not a big deal. I don't want these things to sound like complaints but rather to inform what to expect. It's great not to have huge crowds but also hope cruisers will be coming back. Overall we still had a fantastic time. The ports were wonderful, with beautiful weather, and a wonderful time spent with family. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

We were told it was a new Greek issue. They want folks to spend money in ports. We did have the package so had no problems. We were able to use the package as usual. There was a sign at each bar explaining but I don’t believe NCL had informed anyone previous to boarding. Some days we were in ports till late evening so I’m sure some were impacted. We would not have been happy eating in specialty dining venues with no wine.

We just disembarked from the Jade in Athens. We embarked on June 5. We had taken an antigen test before leaving the US within the 72 hours. When we arrived at the port they didn’t even look at them . We were tested at port by NCL. We did notice when we disembarked that they were setting up for testing those coming in so I assume it’s still going on. On a different topic while in all Greek ports or in Greek waters only folks with drinks package were served . They were not selling alcohol to those without the package. There were signs at each bar.