DCL Europe Summer 2022 approaching - what are you doing?

[tidefan]

So, just to update, I think that some of the 30 day payment rules may have to do with the fact that both Spain and Italy (which just so happen to be the Magic's homeports for the first part of the Summer) extended their current COVID restrictions to April 30th and plan on adjusting on that date. My guess is that DCL is waiting to see what Spain and Italy do as that will dictate their European policies.

Need to hurry up though... The TA is approaching fast!

 

[TinkLoverSam]

I mean Canada announced rules for cruises, DCL announced Canadian protocols and then Canada changed the restrictions like a week later

 

[tidefan]

I mean Canada announced rules for cruises, DCL announced Canadian protocols and then Canada changed the restrictions like a week later

And they can change again... Princess and Royal seem to be requiring testing in Europe, but HAL is more vague and it seems as if they leave it up to the requirements of each individual country.

 

[mgibson301]

I don't know if this has any meaning other than that the DCL website and app are still wonky, but at my 120-day booking for my July Barcelona to Dover cruise, I am able to see port adventures for the first 2 ports (Cartagena and Porto) but not the next 2 (La Corona and Bilbao). Onboard activities (spa, Palo, alcohol tastings, photos, Royal Tea, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique) are showing as expected. A screen on the app has a button for Nursery, but it isn't working (though maybe that's because I'm not traveling with a young child).

We are on your cruise! Did you ever get your other excursions settled For the last ports? Did anything sell out that you could see? We are Gold, so opens for us this weekend.

 

[Mommb]

We are on your cruise! Did you ever get your other excursions settled For the last ports? Did anything sell out that you could see? We are Gold, so opens for us this weekend.

The excursions for La Corona and Bilbao are still not showing up for me. We weren't planning on booking DCL excursions anyhow, because it appears that the ports are easy to traverse on foot or using public transit, but it's disconcerting that I can't see what's actually available (versus what's listed under Port Adventures elsewhere on the DCL site). If you're interested in any specific activities onboard or in Cartagena or Porto, I'm happy to check availability.

Here are the tastings that are offered on our cruise. I'd guess the schedule is similar on other 7-night European cruises, adjusted depending on when port and sea days fall. Our sea days are Day 3 and Day 7. Each is 60 minutes, $23-$28, except for the Champagne and the Chocolate and Liquor, which are $37.

Day 1 Champagne tasting 4:00 pm, Whiskey tasting 10:15 pm
Day 2 Martini tasting 4:30 pm, Mojito & Caipirinha tasting 10 pm, bourbon tasting 10:15 pm
Day 3 Beer tasting 2:30 pm, Cognac tasting 10:15 pm, Mixology 5 pm, Mojito & Caipirinha tasting 3 pm, Stem to Stern Wine Tasting 11 am, Chocolate and Liquor tasting 1 pm
Day 4 Mojito & Caipirinha tasting 4 pm
Day 5 Mixology 4:30 pm, Rum tasting 10:15 pm, Tequila & Margarita tasting 10:00 pm
Day 6 Champagne tasting 4:30 pm, Cognac tasting 10:15 pm, Tequila & Margarita tasting 10:00 pm
Day 7 Beer tasting 2:30 pm, Mixology 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm, Stem to Stern Wine tasting 11:00 am, Whiskey tasting 10:15 pm, Chocolate and Liquor tasting 1 pm

 

[cedricandsophie]

We are leaving on the Transatlantic on may 8 leaving from Miami and returning from Barcelona. We are staying an extra night in Barcelona for 2 reasons, to allow for testing time in case DCL isn’t offering access to tests to get home when we get to Barcelona and because I was able to use United miles in business class to fly home. I have no trepidation about going at all.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We are leaving on the Transatlantic on may 8 leaving from Miami and returning from Barcelona. We are staying an extra night in Barcelona for 2 reasons, to allow for testing time in case DCL isn’t offering access to tests to get home when we get to Barcelona and because I was able to use United miles in business class to fly home. I have no trepidation about going at all.

 

[Littled7287]

We are leaving on the Transatlantic on may 8 leaving from Miami and returning from Barcelona. We are staying an extra night in Barcelona for 2 reasons, to allow for testing time in case DCL isn’t offering access to tests to get home when we get to Barcelona and because I was able to use United miles in business class to fly home. I have no trepidation about going at all.

Have you gotten any updates on guidelines from DCL? We are on a Med cruise at the end of May and I’m anxiously waiting to head what the Europe protocols will be

 

[tidefan]

Have you gotten any updates on guidelines from DCL? We are on a Med cruise at the end of May and I’m anxiously waiting to head what the Europe protocols will be

We are all anxiously awaiting this!

From looking at other lines, they all seem to be country specific. Our cruise goes to Italy and Greece, so I have been following the requirements there pretty closely!

 

[Drewsdad]

We just booked the end of May from Barcelona

 

[mgibson301]

The excursions for La Corona and Bilbao are still not showing up for me. We weren't planning on booking DCL excursions anyhow, because it appears that the ports are easy to traverse on foot or using public transit, but it's disconcerting that I can't see what's actually available (versus what's listed under Port Adventures elsewhere on the DCL site). If you're interested in any specific activities onboard or in Cartagena or Porto, I'm happy to check availability.

Here are the tastings that are offered on our cruise. I'd guess the schedule is similar on other 7-night European cruises, adjusted depending on when port and sea days fall. Our sea days are Day 3 and Day 7. Each is 60 minutes, $23-$28, except for the Champagne and the Chocolate and Liquor, which are $37.

Day 1 Champagne tasting 4:00 pm, Whiskey tasting 10:15 pm
Day 2 Martini tasting 4:30 pm, Mojito & Caipirinha tasting 10 pm, bourbon tasting 10:15 pm
Day 3 Beer tasting 2:30 pm, Cognac tasting 10:15 pm, Mixology 5 pm, Mojito & Caipirinha tasting 3 pm, Stem to Stern Wine Tasting 11 am, Chocolate and Liquor tasting 1 pm
Day 4 Mojito & Caipirinha tasting 4 pm
Day 5 Mixology 4:30 pm, Rum tasting 10:15 pm, Tequila & Margarita tasting 10:00 pm
Day 6 Champagne tasting 4:30 pm, Cognac tasting 10:15 pm, Tequila & Margarita tasting 10:00 pm
Day 7 Beer tasting 2:30 pm, Mixology 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm, Stem to Stern Wine tasting 11:00 am, Whiskey tasting 10:15 pm, Chocolate and Liquor tasting 1 pm

Thank you! This is so helpful. Someone on another thread mentioned DCL requiring a port adventure to leave the ship due to COVID? We usually don’t do excursions at each port either. I need to call them anyways and am going to ask.
We live in Germany (military) and are in Spain right now. We still needed the QR code from https://www.spth.gob.es/ to enter (SPth app is what we use.) Masks indoors…same as all of Europe that we have visited, but cloth and medical can be worn here. Not sure how this all works on a cruise, but this QR code is scanned at entry at the airports. Each Country has their own forms and is in addition to proof of vaccination. The last two summers the restrictions got better until late fall, but things change weekly here. I’d bring FFP2 masks just in case. I’m sure others know how this works on DCL better than I do! also assuming you are coming from the US!

 

[tidefan]

Thank you! This is so helpful. Someone on another thread mentioned DCL requiring a port adventure to leave the ship due to COVID? We usually don’t do excursions at each port either. I need to call them anyways and am going to ask.
We live in Germany (military) and are in Spain right now. We still needed the QR code from https://www.spth.gob.es/ to enter (SPth app is what we use.) Masks indoors…same as all of Europe that we have visited, but cloth and medical can be worn here. Not sure how this all works on a cruise, but this QR code is scanned at entry at the airports. Each Country has their own forms and is in addition to proof of vaccination. The last two summers the restrictions got better until late fall, but things change weekly here. I’d bring FFP2 masks just in case. I’m sure others know how this works on DCL better than I do! also assuming you are coming from the US!

FFP2 = KN95 correct? I am always amazed how the US and Europe use different terminology. It took me a few days of watching a UK Cruise YouTuber to figure out that a "Lateral Flow" test was the same thing as an Antigen test...

 

[tidefan]

DISCLAIMER: I copied this from a CC message board, so I do not claim veracity of this, but this is what people are reporting

So, as I was looking through Cruise Critic, there is an interesting thread in the HAL boards as to testing in Europe and people getting conflicting stories. Anyway, it looks as though it may be country specific for them. Someone over there posted the following response that they claimed they got from e-mailing HAL about the policy...

"With regards to testing requirements, I have attached the current health & travel protocols for Holland America Line’s European cruises this summer. We require no PCR/antigen testing from our guests beyond local government requirements. Currently, Italy, Greece & Turkey do not require fully vaccinated guests who have received their booster to present a negative PCR or antigen test to enter the country. On this basis, Holland America Line will not ask for a negative test result on embarkation. You must be fully vaccinated & have received a booster where eligible to board. Please be aware that local government requirements can change so we strongly advise that you ensure you reconfirm these details closer to travel & be in full compliance before travelling to the ship."

 

[pjacobi]

FFP2 = KN95 correct? I am always amazed how the US and Europe use different terminology. It took me a few days of watching a UK Cruise YouTuber to figure out that a "Lateral Flow" test was the same thing as an Antigen test...

Another difference in terms in acetaminophen (Tylenol) in the US is known as paracetamol (Panadol) in the UK. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol).

The ship's doctor on my last DCL cruise said that she was trained in South Africa on the UK terms but was also aware of the US term.


-Paul

 

[mab2012]

FFP2 = KN95 correct? I am always amazed how the US and Europe use different terminology. It took me a few days of watching a UK Cruise YouTuber to figure out that a "Lateral Flow" test was the same thing as an Antigen test...

FFP2 is a standard that stipulates a minimum 94% filtration level. So N95, KN95, KF94 masks should all qualify.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/FFP_standards

 

[DisneYE]

Well I ended up canceling our Magic cruise in July because it conflicts with the Wish MV.
Cancelled 2 weeks ago and moved funds around to other cruises and had some leftover I just got yesterday.. just posting now bc didn't want to jinx the refund with all the insane mess that's plaguing DCL customer service.

 

[tidefan]

1 month out from the Transatlantic and still no European sailing protocols...

 

[DCSWO]

1 month out from the Transatlantic and still no European sailing protocols...

Th departure requirements will likely be the same for any other cruises out of the U.S.

Portugal. Info from here: https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/covid-19-measures-implemented-portugal
3) Arriving to Portugal by Sea

Same rules as arriving by air apply.
All passengers need to fill online a Passenger Locator Form (individually) at https://portugalcleanandsafe.pt/en/passenger-locator-maritime-card, within 96 hours prior to the estimated time of arrival in mainland Portugal. The QR Code generated when filling out the PLF can be presented in paper or digital form.

Spain. Info from here: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/en/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov/spth.htm
Passengers arriving in Spain by sea must also be in possession of one of the required health certificates (vaccination, recovery or diagnostic test), whether it is an EU CCD/EU Equivalent or another type, without being required to complete a health control form.

It looks like getting acces on the Magic to fill out the Portugal form within 96 hours of arrival may be the challenge. I would imagine DCL is working on a way to make it happen.

 

[tidefan]

Th departure requirements will likely be the same for any other cruises out of the U.S.

Portugal. Info from here: https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/covid-19-measures-implemented-portugal
3) Arriving to Portugal by Sea

Same rules as arriving by air apply.
All passengers need to fill online a Passenger Locator Form (individually) at https://portugalcleanandsafe.pt/en/passenger-locator-maritime-card, within 96 hours prior to the estimated time of arrival in mainland Portugal. The QR Code generated when filling out the PLF can be presented in paper or digital form.

Spain. Info from here: https://www.sanidad.gob.es/en/profesionales/saludPublica/ccayes/alertasActual/nCov/spth.htm
Passengers arriving in Spain by sea must also be in possession of one of the required health certificates (vaccination, recovery or diagnostic test), whether it is an EU CCD/EU Equivalent or another type, without being required to complete a health control form.

It looks like getting acces on the Magic to fill out the Portugal form within 96 hours of arrival may be the challenge. I would imagine DCL is working on a way to make it happen.

We are on an Italy/Greece cruise, so waiting on that.

 

[mousefan73]

I just thought of one thing for everyone flying or connecting in EU. Things change all the time but you need to read the details on each country's requirement and also those you connect through. Airline sites will help you here too. But important is some countries have an expiration date on vaccines. Last month friends of mine flew from the US via Zurich to Budapest, One of them was not allowed to board as her second shot was expired ( shots are valid 270 days). Thank God she was early as she then bolted to the nearest CVS and got a booster and that qualified right away.

So read what fully vaccincated means.

And for what's it worth, I live in the EU and flying in Canada for our Vancouver sailings is a lot more stressful and a PIA vs any EU country right now.. No country here wants a quarantine plan, does random airport PCR testing, nor requires a full 14 day quarantine for vaxxed. Even Germany is talking about getting rid of all quarantines for vaxxed, asympotmatic as of May 1st.