iloveglee

I also have questions about this situation. We are departing from the UK, on the Jade in September. I am hoping that things will have changed by then, but can't guarantee. I was told when I booked, that we needed to test 72 hours before boarding, and that would be the only test required. I only found out later that for Greece, a further antigen test is done, by NCL, actually at the port. That's pretty clear, but what is not clear, is what do you have to do with that 72 hour test? Upload it somehow, or just take it to the port. I then assume (Greece only), they are concerned you have picked covid up in the intervening 3 days, and test again. In which case, as you say, why not just turn up and get tested at the port. Or will they not let you onto the port without showing the negative test? I note that for cruises departing US ports, the test has to be done no more than 48 hours before. These rules are so random, and so confusing, it wouldn't surprise me if there are many people get it wrong. And of course, if you turn up at the port, having previously tested negative, then subsequently test positive, what on earth do they do with you. Refer you to the authorities who ship you off to self isolate, leave you to sort yourself out, or what? Ive asked this question on live chat, but they refer you to the cancellation/refund policy, which isn't quite what I am asking. My cruise consultant, who is otherwise very helpful, didn't appear to know that this extra test at the port was required. Of course I get that with so many different rules for different countries, it's hard for them to have all this information at their fingertips. It would be wonderful, for us who are cruising after you, if you'd post back on here, exactly how this works.

What doesn’t make sense to me is the extra test for greece. Antigen within 24 hours paid for and administered by ncl. So if they’re doing it, has to be at the port. So anyone testing positive at the port gets denied boarding. And then what? No one seems to be able to say. Live chat can do nothing except refer you to the cancellation and refund policy. Which isn’t much help on the spot.

It does say or antigen you are correct. Although a huge document from EU does say pcr 72 hours before. It came out a while ago though so could have been updated. It’s all very confusing We’re not going until September and things could have changed a dozen times before that

With ncl, you have to do pcr, antigen not accepable, 72 hours prior to boading, which I believe is europe regulations for cruise lines. when sailing from greece, for some bizarre reason best known only to the greek authorities, you have to also do an antigen test at the port immediately prior to boarding. I can only imagine that this may be to protect the greek islands where the cruise is going. I was interested to know what happens to you, at the port, if you do test positive and can't board. clearly you have no accommodation booked, as you should have been on a cruise ship. I don't know if they report to the authorities who come and ship you off to a quarantine hotel (greece currently still has 5 days self isolation), or whether ncl leave you to your own devices, request you leave the port, for obvious reasons, and you are then on your own. I have tried live chat for this, but they keep referring me to the cancellation refund/future cruise voucher link on the website. I know all this, and have travel insurance anyway, but I am just interested in what goes on, at the time, on the ground as it were. Maybe going forward, people who are now taking cruises on this route, may experience this and will know how it pans out.

Ah that’s useful. It must be pretty time consuming at the port to have to do all these tests!! And I just found it odd that they don’t do it at other ports, where the entry to those countries have more stringent rules than greece now has. but things can change in days not months. It could be better later, or even worse. I wonder what they do with you if they deny you boarding? Inform the authorities and they ship you off to a Greek quarantine hotel. Or leave you to sort yourself out. it’d be interesting to know if this has happened to anyone and what they did. We live in uk and don’t need tests to go home. Not too worried about getting seriously ill as we are all fully vaccinated and had it already.

I just booked a cruise for September to Greek islands. The cruise consultant told me a pcr test was required no more than 72 hours prior to boarding. That was it, no further tests. Just received an email from them, standard one with links to all the covid stuff that says for Greek cruises a further antigen tests was required in the 24 hours prior to embarking and would be provided and administered by NCL. Given that Greece has given up all requirements now, even vaccinations, this seems an odd thing specifically for Greece. anyone been recently, or currently cruising I’d love to know exactly what is the requirements

Well curiouser and curiouser said Alice. I see the logic of packages are not ‘selling’ you a drink so makes some sense. Not good for those who drink little but enjoy a wine with their meal. I wish Greece had a website like the .yougov website here, where you can search for any law and read it in fine detail. Then again it’d be in Greek so not much help

I also tried with the live chat. she did admit some guests had been asking the question, and she spoke to her manager (she said), and there had been no updates. So a non answer really. The cancelled schedules from new york began in january, think to the caribbean, for the winter months obviously. it may be that the gem was always destined for the med in the summer. they do move these ships around a lot. So not that then, so the mystery deepens. I have trawled and trawled to see if I can find anything about greek customs etc but don't seem to be able to come up with anything. Hopefully as the summer schedules get under way, if there are issues, there may be more posts on here, or on other social media sites.

Has anyone sailed to Greece recently, and found that they are refused to be served alcoholic drinks whilst the ship is in port. There seems to be some issue with this on NCL cruises, passengers are being told that they cannot serve alcohol while docked, as it's the law. Comments from anyone who has sailed in recent weeks welcome.

Has anyone sailed recently with Celestyal and had an issue with not being served alcohol whilst docked in greek ports. Strange question I know, as this isn't something I have ever experienced on other cruises. The issue appears to be with NCL cruises, we have been telling (some) passengers that they are not allowed (greek law), to serve alcohol whilst docked in a greek port. Does anyone know if this is in fact true, and applies to all cruise lines. Or just some lines, or even just the one!! We are booked on NCL in september - wanted Celestyal for preference but the dates didn't fit. Now I am wondering if we made the right decision. It's very difficult to get a definitive answer to this, as some are reporting yes they were refused alcohol during port stays, and others saying, no issues noticed at all. Some are saying this is just a social media rumour got out of hand, others, who are reporting from an actual ship say it's true.

Does anyone know exactly how this works exactly. I was under the impression that the $50 (£40) credit was for the cabin. On trying to book an excursion that costs £23, mine has the credit applied. The other person in the cabin has to pay the full £23 even though there would be £17 remaining from the credit. Am I therefore incorrect to assume it's for the cabin. I admit the free at sea offer is pretty complicated generally, what with all the items currently on it, but then the restrictions that apply. We have paid £149 per person for this, and again assumed that the drinks, and entry to one speciality restaurant came with no further charge. I have subsequently read that gratuities are applied to the value of drinks and food in the speciality restaurant. is this the case?