alicat58

Morning Bob 

The ship is not very full and the atmosphere is a bit subdued we think. We've not gone to any of the shows. They are at quite odd times and honestly did not appeal to us either. 

The weather out of Palma was diabolical. The sea was rough the whole night. Yesterday was also the sea day and massive waves till late afternoon. We just camped in the grandbar most of the day. Hubby watched films and I read.  

We are in Civitavecchia today. Gorgeous day. We decided not to go to Rome as we didn't fancy the journey with too many people coughing. 

We are disembarking in Savona on Saturday and flying out of Nice to Stansted. 

We are not keen on this ship. I do love our cabin. I'll post photos when I get home. 

Riana 

Ola from Barcelona. Was raining this morning. We left after 10 am. Took a taxi to a local cemetery to look at funerary art. I'm weird like that. Expensive taxi and walked all the way back to la Rambla. Took nearly 40 minutes. 

The cemetery was a bit boring. We didn't see the one we really wanted to see. 

We then stopped for a beer and after that lunch. Everything open and going. So far no mention of port cancellation. We have decided not to go to Rome because we don't fancy being in such close proximity to possibly infected people fot 90 minutes each way. 

Hi Bob 

Food is like you said. All the stuff previously included for diamond pearl is extra charge. Food is OK but not great. 

The entertainment is at really odd times in the theatre and colosseo. Jazz bar and grand bar okish. 

Kip rules the roost. He is very happy being an only cat. He's so spoilt. We do get so attached to them. 

Riana 

Looks like my post from yesterday never posted. Not seen many people wearing masks. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Much more than ever. 

On board now. Ship is huge. Temperature scanned in terminal. Had to use hand sanitizer getting onto ship. Walked through the buffet. Guy asking people to use sanitizer one end but not the other. Serving food not self serve. Looks pretty good. We're in Arlecchino first sitting. Cabin is stunning. Deck 12 aft. 

Quick response before I go to bed. Need to get up soon.

Bob: I lost my sweet Baz about 18mnths ago. He developed heart failure. He was a little pedigreed cat. Never had one before. No idea whether in breeding gave him a heart condition. He developed heart failure and  despite medication went down so fart that after 3 mnths on meds we had to put him to sleep. Kip is left now. He is a rescue ginger an white neutered Tom. Very loving and loves to b with us, hates to be away sadly but comes home after a holiday needing a diet.

MarAnn: Lucky that you could cancel. Must say I would have if I had middle east itinerary.

Panamanpd: No grandkids. Don't go in hot tubs. I think you misunderstood me. I was brought up to go to school/work unless you were on a slab(dead). My concern was not being able to go back to work. If you look at Costa website you will see we would have lost between 90 and 100% of our fee. 

Guys I am off to bed. Up at sparrows farts to go to airport. Maybe my last comment will be moderated because it is rude.😁😇

Hi Maryann

I hope so too.

The Canadian health notice looks pretty much the same as the one I got from work yesterday(NHS for medical personnel). The most daft thing is that people who think they might be infected are actually despite all advice still going to emergency departments and doctors surgeries(suppose you might call them medical centers). One just outside Colchester had to close till the culprit was swabbed and I think they still wait for the results before they are allowed to open. My biggest worry is actually whether I will be able to go back to work when I get back. 

Anyway, at the moment I am taking things a day at a time. If we get to cruise it will be great, if Costa cancels when we get to Savona we'll hopefully be able to get home easily and get refunded or have insurance pay outs.

Riana

This cruise is still in the balance. Corona virus has the world in it's nasty little grip and the press is putting out stories at the rate of knots.

We are supposed to board on Saturday Leap year day. I don't know whether that is a bad omen. I have learnt that getting to Savona can be a little hazardous to say the least. Flying into and out of Genoa is hit and miss. Not many flights and at odd hours. The surrounding mountains certainly do not help. We can many delayed flights. Our next usual options is flying into Milan and getting a transfer to Savona.

We live 40 minutes drive from Stansted so it's mostly Ryanair. The morning flight to Malpensa arrives a few minutes before the Costa transfer departs. Now, we have done that and as age creeps up on me, I find it far too stressful to take the chance. We really like Milan so we usually fly in the day before, have a nice lunch and even nicer supper and then leave by transfer a little after 9 am. Perfect! So we were all booked. Flights, hotel and evening restaurant. Pesky virus landed in Lombardy.

I started looking at our options on 23/2. We have used a Costa transfer when Nice the very first time we cruised years ago. I checked flights and hotels in Nice and gave DH orders to call Costa on 24/2 to check whether a transfer was available. Yes it is but you need to book this by 25/2  please. 

We now have flights to Nice, a hotel in Nice and a Costa transfer to Savona. Interestingly the restaurant in Milan emailed me yesterday to cancel our booking because they are now closed. It looks as if Milan is heading towards shutdown. At this stage it looks as if flights to Malpensa is still going but who knows what will happen over the next week.

Our suitcase is hopefully in or near Savona already as it left home by Bag express on 21/2! Pussycat is going to the cat hotel tomorrow morning.

Lets hope that we finally get on the Smerelda AND back home a week later. I will post bits and pieces as I go along.

Riana

Hi All

Cancelled Milan and booked flights to Nice instead. Waiting for a public announcement on UK TV at 12.30 to see whether they are advising no travel to Italy.  If that is the case I'll have a week off work at home. Will be very disappointed but though I feel you cannot live your live in a sterile bubble, I'll have to accept that.

Bob, I have the wipes and got a little bottle of hand sanitiser today. I am a great believer in soap and water because science tells us it works better. I hope the public restroom doors on Smerelda is touch free like the other ships.

I will start a new thread later.

Riana

According to the Costa Press on their site they are checking passengers temperatures with a scanner as they board. It did not seem only for far East but all cruises. They also have a lower temperature threshold than MSC for example. Costa is something like 37.8 and MSC 38. 

Most doctors would not consider a patient to "run a temperature" unless 38 or higher. 

I am quite worried about our upcoming cruise and the Milan situation. Venice is in lock down now.

I will start a thread later to let people know how things are going.

Riana

Hi 

I think I heard some of the 70 Brits (on Diamond Princess) were crew. Might be that Princess did not allow them to leave due to contracts.

Though my DH is very worried about the virus and also the current issue in Northern Italy, I am not too fussed. I am exposed to viruses and bacteria daily at work. I am probably more likely to be exposed there than on the ship because people just simply do not listen to the advice about staying at home when you are symptomatic. 

It is a bit like not travelling due to terror attacks. Whilst I am not about to take silly risks, life has to go on.

Flying to Milan next Friday, boarding Smerelda on saturday.

Riana

Hi Bob

Boarding a week today. Very disappointed to hear about the lack of club dining for Diamond pearl. That is one of the nice perks we enjoyed. Also disappointed to hear about the bar entertainment and noise levels. We're late 50's early 60's and though we love music we don't enjoy cacophony. I always thought the sound levels on the Diadema was intolerable. We even walked out of the theatre once because it was distorting it was so loud.

We'll certainly check out the bars you mentioned.

We were allocated an aft premium balcony on deck 12 and currently the La Colombina restaurant. I have only heard bad things about this particular venue. I also think hubby will be devastated about the lack of that fillet steak that used to be included. I better not tell him, we might stay at home!

I'll also comment on our return.

Riana

Well done! Wish we were about to book another one. But going in 2 1/2 weeks. Cannot wait.

Riana

Only on the Victoria as far as I know but I have not been on the Smerelda yet. Been on 2 MSC ships (Seaview and Grandiosa) and they had steps into the pool. Not been on any other lines.

Riana

@Wiggster I am wondering whether you will have an email from Costa unless you booked directly with them. If you booked through a TA I think Costa will let them know rather than you. Might be an idea to check. Problem trying to phone Costa UK is that they don't work weekends!

Looks as if it is all go at the moment so I hope you have a nice cruise.

Riana

We are due on Smerelda on 29/2. I hope things have settled by then but this seems to be a more virulent pestilence than even SARS. It is quite scary. If we can't go then so be it we'll do something else in the week I have off. I have read some posts on other boards here on CC and I am amazed at the comments people make. It is actually both sad and sickening(pun not intended). Posting pictures of buckets full of Corona beer is certainly in my view in extremely bad taste (on X boards).

What will be will be.

Riana

COSTA CRUISES FURTHER STRENGTHENS PRECAUTIONS ON BOARD ITS SHIPS Genoa, January 31, 2020 - Following the global alert level declared by the World Health Organization, Costa Cruises has decided to further strengthen the precautionary measures on its fleet in order to guarantee maximum safety for guests and crew. As of today, no guests, visitors or crew members of any nationality who have travelled from, to or through mainland China in the last 14 days will be allowed to board Costa ships. "Costa Cruises maintains close contact with international and local health authorities to ensure constant health monitoring and protection" - said Neil Palomba, President of Costa Cruises - "Our onboard medical teams are also continuously updated by our central medical services department and guarantee that procedures and screenings for ordinary and extraordinary prevention are applied on board all the ships in our fleet, depending on any developing international scenarios.”. Measures that the company has already been adopting for the past few weeks include the introduction of a medical form for embarking passengers and pre-boarding health screening, with temperature checks for persons whom, for any reason, appear or identify as symptomatic (respiratory or fever symptoms). Any reports or detection of symptoms of illness during pre-boarding screening can be managed by medical professionals to allow for informed decisions on a case-by-case basis whether a guest or crewmember will be unable to board. The safety and health of passengers is Costa Cruises' number one priority. On Costa Cruises' ships, precautionary measures are taken, such as the screening of guests and crew, if circumstances require it. In addition, all ships in the fleet are equipped with medical facilities with dedicated staff, available 24 hours a day, and can count on advice and support from professionals and external medical facilities. The cruise industry is one of the best equipped and experienced in the field of health protection. For further information: Costa Cruises Press Office Tel. +39 010 5483523 / 010 5483068 - costapressoffice@costa.it Gabriele Baroni – Communication Director – cell +39 349 7668013 - baroni@costa.it Davide Barbano – Media Relations Manager – cell +39 334 6525216 - barbano@costa.it Cristiano de Musso – Head of Communication – cell +39 334 6805095 demusso@costa.it w

Copied from Costa press centre on their website

THIS was on FB -from the MSC boards

𝗠𝗦𝗖 𝗖𝗥𝗨𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 𝗔𝗗𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗖 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗛 𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣𝗦 𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗕𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬

In light of the coronavirus outbreak in China, #MSCCruises is immediately taking further precautionary measures for the health and well-being of its guests and crew on all of its global fleet.

MSC Cruises has undertaken a series of actions since 24 January, and due to the latest coronavirus developments, today implemented additional public health measures across its fleet. While there are no cases of coronavirus on board any of MSC Cruises’ ships these measures are additional steps to secure the health and well-being of all guests and crew.

Hi

Number34 they were punting the speciality restaurant packages on all the boarding days but I did not look to see if they had any specials. We prebooked the 4 meals deal from home. We did have a bit of an issue with it. You have to prebook the dates from home but still have to confirm once aboard. There were large groups of Asian passengers who also did this and their cruise planners booked all the early tables. Yet if you got there a bit early the restaurants were deserted. This was really frustrating because we do not like to eat very late.

Juicebuster I have no idea about the private pool deck and I did not keep the ships map which you can get from guest services. I like to have a paper copy to see the whole thing in one go. What I can tell you is that the Aurea restaurant is on deck 7 opposite the Butchers cut(across the dome area). Being January all the outside decks were quiet. The indoor pool area was a different story.

Scary about the Costa Smerelda. We are supposed to board 4weeks on Saturday.

Riana

Some last random photos.

Sunshine on buildings in Genoa.

Cat in Civitavecchia. I love cats. I am sadly down to one old boy now.

Sailing into Palermo. So pretty with the light on the buildings and the dark mountains behind.

Valetta sailing in.

And out. I hoped to add some of DH's photos but I think they are to big to upload.

A sunset or sunrise one. No idea where this was taken, lol.

Chocolate dessert lunch time.

Coffee-not the small cup at the back. Just to give you an idea which Italian coffee is used aboard when you have a drinks package.

More chocolate pudding. I love pudding. We don't eat any at home for a very good reason.

Espresso and a Baileys to wash it down. Nice little choccie with the coffee.

This is one of the €12 cocktails. It is called Fizz la Poire. Amongst other things Pear vodka and clearly Fizz. Prettily presented with a massive block of ice with some sort of berry in it(We had blue berry and strawberry). Very nice indeed.

This was one of the courses at Hola Tapas. Very nice but we were already so full that we could not do it justice.

Devilled egg starter in Butchers Cut. Could happily do without those bit of chicken skin. Will know better next time if I order that.

The prawn starter in Butchers cut. hey sit on ice which we thought took away from the flavour.

Snacks in the Skybar(lounge). We had these nice ones two nights in a row and there after the usual crisps and stuff that you get in the other bars. Nice touch we thought.

This on is for Bea. The cheese cake in Butchers cut. DH thought it was nice.

DH took this in a restaurant in Valetta because Sophia Loren is the godmother of the MSC ships.

So, that is it.

Some final thoughts. We loved this cruise and would go on the Grandiosa at the drop of a hat. The ports are changing in a few months and she will be going to Naples and Messina. I might twist DHs arm to do that later this year. We won't bother with the dining package again and just enjoy our freebie. If we have the Premium package included in the deal we might upgrade again but to be honest I did not have as much champagne as I thought I would have, most of the wines we liked were included in the premium package anyway and though we enjoyed those purple cocktails, I won't spend the extra cash just for those.

We thought the lunches in the MDR were good and despite being very busy the service was fine. We learnt after the first day to take a glass of wine in with us as there was a bit of a long wait to get a glass. The puddings were to die for.

We enjoyed the breakfasts in the buffet as well as the MDR.

The only speciality restaurant we really enjoyed was Butchers cut. The Bisto was fine but the choices for main courses were limited and so-so. Hola tapas was OK but just that. DH loves sushi and  don't. He did not enjoy the Sushi place and I was starving. We ended up in the buffet in formal clothing having pizza(good) and hot dogs(I only had the sausage).

So that is it.

Riana

Hi Heather

Thanks for the review. We are boarding 4 weeks on Saturday. We are diamond pearl members so I hope we will have the allocated restaurant at least. I hope it is a little warmer by then so that the pool bars are open. 

We have been on the MSC Grandiosa a few weeks ago and though the pool bars were open it was just a little too cold to sit there for long. 

Riana

Thank you.

This seems to be the sum total of my Barcelona photos. The Picasso museum is supposed to be no photos and I did not take any though we saw lots of people snapping away and the staff did not stop them.

This is it for now. I'll post my last few later in the week. Some random sunset pics and maybe some more food and drink photos.

Riana

Valetta:

I really like Valetta. We did not do any trips this time. It is really easy to get the municipal bus to Mdina and worth it if you've not seen it. MSC had HoHo tickets in the cabins for sale. Not sure what sort of cut they get but as mentioned before we get hives if we go on HoHo. Just a joke.

Palermo next:

Theatre. Can only visit outside.

More theatre

Fountain. Sculptures not quite like the Genoa ones.

Just for fun in a wedding shop window as out daughter got married last September.

Inside one of the churches. We did not go to the main cathedral this time. There is a fee to go into the churches but if you show your ticket at the next one you get a discount. It was not expensive.

Also in one of the churches.

I did not take too many photos but need to share one last one of Palermo with you.

Actually two. My Sicilian boss told me the cops don't need big cars, they shoot first and ask why later. Lol.