Before the cruise - useful information

Embarkation begins at the time indicated on your cruise ticket.
Check-in closes 1.30 hour before the ship is due to depart, except for American ports where check-in closes two hours before the scheduled departure time.
For some destinations, it is possible to check-in on-line on the web site www.msccruises.co.uk .

Online check-in 
Online check-in has been created to help ensure you get off to a flying start, speeding you through the embarkation process. Thanks to an online check-in procedure you can follow at your convenience before you leave home. All passengers in the same booking will need to register in advance, filling in their personal details and printing the form that is provided at the end of the registration process. The online check-in has to be completed 48 hours before your departure date, otherwise the system will not print the online boarding form needed to complete the embarkation procedure. Please remember that if you do not have this form with you when you embark, you will have to follow the normal check-in procedures. To use the MSC Web Check in you will need to present your printed boarding form, cruise ticket and a valid travel document to our staff. The service is available in the following ports of embarkation: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bari, Civitavecchia, Copenhagen, Genoa, Kiel, Marseille, Naples, Palermo, Valencia and Venice.

All guests of the MSC Yacht Club (on board MSC Divina, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia) will find an exclusive check-in desk and will be assisted with their luggage by the butler team at the terminal, who will escort them to the dedicated line for priority check-in.
On request, the butler will also unpack guests’ suitcases.

On embarkation, passengers should do as follows (in the order specified):

a) Deliver luggage to the designated staff, who will then have it sent directly to the passenger’s cabin. All bags should
 be labelled beforehand with the passenger’s name and surname, the name of the ship, the cabin number and the date and port of departure.

b) Go to the check-in desk with cruise ticket and passport.

c) After the document check, passengers will receive a Cruise Card. This is a magnetic card used for onboard payment of excursions, bar bills, laundry, in-cabin service, hairdresser, beauty centre, duty-free shops, photographer and service charge. To activate purchasing with the Cruise Card, passengers must either register their credit card or leave a cash sum. Personal cheques are not accepted. The following credit cards can be registered onboard: Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard, Diners, JCB and American Express. This CASHLESS SYSTEM is valid on all ships.

As a safety precaution, security staff may search a passenger and/or his/her luggage and confiscate any articles that the Company considers could risk the safety of the passengers, crew or ship. On board, staff reserve the right to remove any beverages present in passenger baggage.These will be returned the evening before disembarkation.Passengers are not permitted to bring unpackaged food on board.

FLY & CRUISE EMBARKATION 

For cruises including flight connections, passengers should check in at the airline check-in desk at least two hours before the flight. On arrival at the international destination airport, passengers will find cruise assistance and transfers to the port.

1. United States: International travellers who are seeking to travel to the United States are now subject to enhanced security requirements. All eligible travellers who wish to travel to the U.S.A. by air or sea under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) must obtain an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a carrier. To check which countries participate in the VW P and for any further information, please visit the web site https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

2. Egypt, Morocco and Gibraltar: For minors travelling to these countries, please consider that the "Birth Certificate with travel abroad authentication" and "the Identity Certificate for children" are no longer considered valid. Children under 15 years of age must therefore:

- possess their own passport, or
- be included in their parent or a guardian's passport, or
- possess another valid identity document for travelling abroad.

The information provided is up-to-date at the time of going to print; for the latest information and all other questions regarding travel documents and visas, please consult your travel agent.

Europe: EC Regulation 1889/2005 states that: “Any natural person entering or leaving the Community and carrying cash of a value of Euro 10,000 or more shall declare that sum to the competent authorities of the Member state through which he is entering or leaving the Community in accordance with this Regulation”.

Dubai and UAE: Cash exceeding AED 40,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency must be declared to airport customs control on arrival and departure.

Guests are encouraged to limit their checked luggage to one suitcase per person, not to exceed 75x50x29 cm and 30kg, and only one hand luggage per person not exceeding 55x35x25cm.  Prams and wheelchairs are always admitted. All luggage is to be kept in the cabin. Please be sure to bring your luggage tags necessary for embarkation in your hand luggage and attach them when you arrive at embarkation port.
Furthermore, valuable luggage travels at the passenger’s own risk. Passengers are advised to carry any medicines, documents and other similar personal belongings in their hand luggage.
Insurance can be taken out with MSC Cruises according to the conditions.

AIR TRANSPORT
International airline baggage regulations subject luggage to size and weight limitations; the effective allowance is to be confirmed at the time of booking. Airlines reserve the right to charge a supplement for excess luggage. Our Company accepts no responsibility for issues arising during airport departure or arrival.

Passengers with physical or mental disabilities are referred to the Booking Conditions.
The Passenger warrants that he is fit to travel by sea and by air and that his conduct or condition will not impair the safety or convenience of the vessels, aircraft and/or the other passengers.
Any Passenger with a condition that may affect fitness to travel must submit a doctor’s certificate prior to booking. Without this certificate, boarding may be prohibited.
Any specific transport and/or lodging and/or assistance needs must be communicated at the time the reservation is made, and are subject to availability. Ships are not equipped with specialized rooms/equipment/medical assistance.
Women who will reach the 23rd week of pregnancy by the end of the cruise must, at the time of embarkation, produce a medical certificate from a doctor confirming their fitness to travel on board a cruise ship for the period of the cruise and for the actual itinerary.
MSC Cruises is not in any way responsible for any consequence resulting from a passenger’s inability to travel, whether or not this inability is evident. No refund or indemnity is owed to any passenger who cannot begin or continue the trip due to their own inability.

All of our ships have a well-equipped Medical Center, supervised by a doctor and medical personnel. The Medical Center is open at the times advertised in the ship’s Daily Program. Emergency services are available around the clock by calling the Medical Emergency number.
While the range of medications held on board is comprehensive, they may not satisfy your precise personal needs, and for this reason, we always suggest that Guests carry a supply of their own prescribed medicines.
Charges will be made on board for medical services. These charges are displayed in the Medical Center and will be debited automatically to your Cruise Card.

Passengers are advised to consult their National Health Service prior to the cruise for information regarding recommended vaccinations. MSC Cruises declines all responsibility for passengers who do not adhere to the recommendations on the prevention of infectious diseases.