LIVE Virtuosa 13/5/22 7 nights Norwegian Fjords

[kernow]

1 hour ago, perakcruiser said:

Nice to see this MSC signature dish again, before it was only available in speciality restaurants and sometimes in the Aurea restaurant. Hope you enjoyed it. 

Yes  delicious, the lamb was perfectly cooked for me.

 

Just enjoying a final breakfast in the YC restaurant.  I'll give my final thoughts later once I've got home.

[Raj.K]

Good morning kernow,

 

Thank you for your posts and responses. It has been very useful.

 

I hope you enjoyed your cruise. I always feel a bit sad when a good cruise comes to and end.

 

Have a safe journey back home.

 

Best wishes

R

[kernow]

Back to yesterday, our last sea day home to Southampton.

It started out sunny but fresh so after breakfast we went up to the main deck and walked some laps around the track. Five laps is one mile. It was fairly quiet up there but there were a few people sitting out by the aft pool and the stepped area to the Horizon bar. We were not there much this cruise but it is my favourite part of the ship outside of YC. We stopped for a while to admire the gorgeous aft view.

 

After that we went down to deck 6 to look in the shops. I bought a lovely little MSC duck (I collect ducks) and a new hat. Also got a 1litre bottle of Jim Beam for £12 (cheap by UK standards).

 

We went up for lunch followed by a cheese and wine event held in Top Sail. It had gone foggy outside but later cleared for a sunny evening. 

Then it was time for the dreaded packing, always the worst bit of the cruise for me as it means we're leaving.

We enjoyed the farewell show and had dinner with friends we'd made onboard.

 

This morning we were able to have breakfast in the YC restaurant and leave at our leisure, think we went down with a butler just after 9 am.

 

Back home now with the first load of washing already dried.

 

Anyone who is still reading will have probably gathered we had a brilliant time. Once again we can't find anything much to fault, a beautiful ship and hardworking, friendly crew and YC is such great value for what you get.

 

I know people on the ship were reading this so a big thank you to all the staff from the top down, you are doing a great job.

[ConnieTact]

That all looks wonderful and makes me feel excited about our forthcoming cruise. Thanks Kernow for presenting us with all this information. How many people do you think were onboard? Was it to full capacity. I know we all enjoyed smaller numbers last year but a I guess things are picking up. Was Yacht club at full capacity? 
I’m impressed you’ve nearly got your laundry done! I won’t tell you how long it usually takes me to unpack! 😅😂

[travelwide]

For those of you looking for Primas he is in the YC on the Seashore.

[kernow]

10 hours ago, ConnieTact said:

That all looks wonderful and makes me feel excited about our forthcoming cruise. Thanks Kernow for presenting us with all this information. How many people do you think were onboard? Was it to full capacity. I know we all enjoyed smaller numbers last year but a I guess things are picking up. Was Yacht club at full capacity? 
I’m impressed you’ve nearly got your laundry done! I won’t tell you how long it usually takes me to unpack! 😅😂

Sorry, just realised I'd never mentioned capacity. There were 1800 onboard for our cruise, Robbie told us YC was 55% full. Both he and Antonio told us the ship will not be full capacity all season, currently max they are expecting is around 4000 in summer (which I think would feel busy but we have been spoilt!). Similar numbers to us this week, busy for the 3 nighter then quieter again until summer holidays.

For us the current numbers are perfect, busier with more atmosphere than last year but lots of space and never any queues all around the ship.

 

I think you will really enjoy YC even more this time as they were starting to have a few events (sailaways, drinks etc). Robbie said he is keen to introduce more of this sort of thing now that he can.

 

I always like to get the washing done asap when we get home, have another lot on now, it's the ironing I really hate though, wish my butler was still around for that 🤣.

[Raj.K]

Hi kernow,

 

Was there any covid testing done by MSC during the cruise?

 

I read on another thread that in a Caribbean cruise (MSC) those who tested positive during a cruise were isolated in a different part of the ship with meals and drinks all on room service. 

 

Was there any such on your cruise?

 

 

[kernow]

10 minutes ago, Raj.K said:

Hi kernow,

 

Was there any covid testing done by MSC during the cruise?

 

I read on another thread that in a Caribbean cruise (MSC) those who tested positive during a cruise were isolated in a different part of the ship with meals and drinks all on room service. 

 

Was there any such on your cruise?

 

 

No testing onboard, last year they did one midway through the cruise but not this time. I did see some people say they had temperature checked on entering the buffet but we didn't.

I assume those who are testing positive are feeling unwell and request a test.

 

Didn't hear of anyone positive onboard but have seen on FB people say they are positive since they got home.

[annarack]

Thank you so much for your review and photos @kernow.  Do you recall where the quarantine cabins were on Virtuosa for this cruise please?  I seem to recall deck 8 and/or 9 last year when we sailed, but may have now changed.  Many thanks.

[kernow]

9 hours ago, annarack said:

Thank you so much for your review and photos @kernow.  Do you recall where the quarantine cabins were on Virtuosa for this cruise please?  I seem to recall deck 8 and/or 9 last year when we sailed, but may have now changed.  Many thanks.

I didn't see or hear anything about quarantine cabins this year, certainly not 9 as I walked the length to meet someone in one of the aft cabins there, heard of people staying on 8 too. I would think they must have a much smaller number somewhere.

[kernow]

I've just been looking through our photos from last week and noticed we took this one at the tourist office in Gerainger, thought it might be helpful to anyone visiting soon. The prices are in Norwegian Krone, we didn't book any of these but a couple we met onboard did the Panoramic bus tour and said it was very good and much cheaper than one being offered on the ship. This office was directly to the right as you exit the ship.

[ConnieTact]

14 hours ago, kernow said:

I've just been looking through our photos from last week and noticed we took this one at the tourist office in Gerainger, thought it might be helpful to anyone visiting soon. The prices are in Norwegian Krone, we didn't book any of these but a couple we met onboard did the Panoramic bus tour and said it was very good and much cheaper than one being offered on the ship. This office was directly to the right as you exit the ship.

Fantastic tip Kernow! I’ll let you know if we use it! 

[ConnieTact]

On 5/13/2022 at 11:05 AM, kernow said:

We've just boarded, sitting in Top Sail lounge with a glass of 🍾. 

 

We arrived at the car park at 10.20 and were onboard by 10.40. Luggage drop off for YC is right outside the terminal and from there a butler escorts you straight through. Once up the escalator there is a separate seated area for YC where they check you in. We were greeted by a familiar face, the YC director Robbie Sheriffs who we met onboard last year as a fellow passenger. He had told us he was now working for MSC but had no idea he was now on Virtuosa so a nice surprise. 

The queue for general boarding was not very long and seemed to be moving quickly. I did mean to look if there were Aurea/Diamond lines but we were through so quickly I didn't have chance. I think they must have been upstairs after security.

Kernow, did you have to have covid tests before boarding like last year? Also, what test results did you need to show? I am at the stage of preparing for our cruise but have not noticed being asked to do tests. Have they been dropped?

Also, did you go to get daily  temperature checks at the concierge desk like last time?

im sure if I trawled through MSC stuff I may get an answer but I thought you are best placed to give me a correct answer! Thanks.

[kernow]

No tests in the terminal to board and no temperature checks in YC but I did see people saying that they sometimes had them going into  the buffet.

 

We had to do a 'fit to fly' antigen test within the 48 hours before boarding. We ordered home tests from Lloyd's Pharmacy and uploaded the results to get a certificate which you have to show at check in. It tells you what is needed on the MSC website under Health and Safety. Masks are no longer compulsory either in the terminal or  onboard for passengers but the staff are still wearing them.

[ConnieTact]

2 hours ago, kernow said:

No tests in the terminal to board and no temperature checks in YC but I did see people saying that they sometimes had them going into  the buffet.

 

We had to do a 'fit to fly' antigen test within the 48 hours before boarding. We ordered home tests from Lloyd's Pharmacy and uploaded the results to get a certificate which you have to show at check in. It tells you what is needed on the MSC website under Health and Safety. Masks are no longer compulsory either in the terminal or  onboard for passengers but the staff are still wearing them.

That’s so helpful…thanks Kernow! Weirdly, I just got an email with Health instructions from MSC! It helpful to know about Lloyds pharmacy kits and life onboard too. It all sounds easier-at least for the passengers. Boarding must be quicker too now so that’s all good. 

Thanks again for your helpful post.

[kernow]

8 hours ago, ConnieTact said:

That’s so helpful…thanks Kernow! Weirdly, I just got an email with Health instructions from MSC! It helpful to know about Lloyds pharmacy kits and life onboard too. It all sounds easier-at least for the passengers. Boarding must be quicker too now so that’s all good. 

Thanks again for your helpful post.

I was quite nervous about the testing but in reality it was very easy and once onboard everything feels pretty much like normal cruising pre covid. I'm not sure if I mentioned it anywhere but they do still serve you in the buffet which I really liked. I've been reading posts over on the RCL board (our next cruise) and it seems they have gone back to self serve.

[ConnieTact]

1 hour ago, kernow said:

I was quite nervous about the testing but in reality it was very easy and once onboard everything feels pretty much like normal cruising pre covid. I'm not sure if I mentioned it anywhere but they do still serve you in the buffet which I really liked. I've been reading posts over on the RCL board (our next cruise) and it seems they have gone back to self serve.

I agree, it is better to be served and it stops passengers bad hygiene practice! 
“Another scoop, and another, yes, and another!” 🤣😂

[Raj.K]

On 5/27/2022 at 10:10 PM, kernow said:

No tests in the terminal to board and no temperature checks in YC but I did see people saying that they sometimes had them going into  the buffet.

 

We had to do a 'fit to fly' antigen test within the 48 hours before boarding. We ordered home tests from Lloyd's Pharmacy and uploaded the results to get a certificate which you have to show at check in. It tells you what is needed on the MSC website under Health and Safety. Masks are no longer compulsory either in the terminal or  onboard for passengers but the staff are still wearing them.

Hi kernow, Is the test you mention the one from Lloyds Pharmacy (£12.99 the "Fit to Fly Lateral Flow Test at Home")? I have not had a holiday requiring any Covid testing so not sure how this works. Any insights on how easy/difficult this is please?

 

Also, we are a family of 4, so are we individually required to use separate phones/apps/emails to get individual certificates? I know it all sounds a stupid question, but I want to make sure we do the right thing so we get to board the ship.  

[kernow]

3 hours ago, Raj.K said:

Hi kernow, Is the test you mention the one from Lloyds Pharmacy (£12.99 the "Fit to Fly Lateral Flow Test at Home")? I have not had a holiday requiring any Covid testing so not sure how this works. Any insights on how easy/difficult this is please?

 

Also, we are a family of 4, so are we individually required to use separate phones/apps/emails to get individual certificates? I know it all sounds a stupid question, but I want to make sure we do the right thing so we get to board the ship.  

Yes, that's the test we used, it was fairly easy, more so than I was expecting as it sounds more complicated! They are the same test as the NHS ones so you do it the same. No app required you just upload a photo to their website so do it on your phone. You get a unique reference number to use for each test, we used a separate email for each of us but I honestly don't know if you have to (probably not as you may be doing it for a young child). They emailed us the certificate back within a few minutes although it says it may take up to an hour. We printed off the certificates to make sure we had paper copies of everything for check in.

Hope this helps.

[Raj.K]

17 minutes ago, kernow said:

Yes, that's the test we used, it was fairly easy, more so than I was expecting as it sounds more complicated! They are the same test as the NHS ones so you do it the same. No app required you just upload a photo to their website so do it on your phone. You get a unique reference number to use for each test, we used a separate email for each of us but I honestly don't know if you have to (probably not as you may be doing it for a young child). They emailed us the certificate back within a few minutes although it says it may take up to an hour. We printed off the certificates to make sure we had paper copies of everything for check in.

Hope this helps.

That is very reassuring, thank you!