Before your cruise - useful information

Embarkation begins approx three hours before the departure time indicated on your cruise booklet/ticket. Check-in closes one hour before the ship is due to depart, except for American ports where check in closes two hours before scheduled departure time. For some destinations it is possible to check-in via MSC web check-in online for full details and requirements visit www.mscwebcheckin.com.

MSC web check-in has been set up for your convenience before you leave home, however you cannot commence this process until your e-documents have been received. 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 online registration process. On-line check in must be completed at least 48 hours before your departure date. To access the MSC web check-in priority embarkation at the port terminal you must present your printed online completed form, cruise ticket and valid passport and travel documents. MSC web check-in priority embarkation is available in the following ports: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bari, Civitavecchia, Copenhagen, Genoa, Kiel, Marseille, Naples, Palermo, Valencia and Venice.

MSC Yacht Club guests (on board MSC Divina, MSC Splendida & MSC Fantasia), Suite bookings and MSC Loyalty Card holders enjoy exclusive check-in areas and special staff assistance.

Upon Embarkation, passengers should proceed as follows (in order specified): 
Drop luggage to the designated area at the port and it will be delivered to your cabin door. Scanned baggage labels are provided in your Cruise Booklet received on arrival at the port. Should you not have scanned labels staff will be able to assist. Proceed to check in desk with e-cruise documents or booklet and passport. After document check, passengers receive a Cruise Card. This is a magnetic card used for access to your cabin and onboard purchases (see Currency on Board for full details). Proceed through immigration prior to boarding the ship. We would like to remind you that as a safety precaution, security staff may search a passenger and/or their luggage and can confiscate any articles that the Company considers could risk the safety of the passengers, crew or ship. On-board staff reserves the right to remove any food or beverages present in passenger’s baggage. These will be returned the evening before disembarkation. Passengers are not permitted to bring unpackaged food on board.

We will send your travel documents to you after final payment has been received and usually three weeks prior to your departure date. All air, land, package and additional travel services must be booked and confirmed prior to final payment and issue of travel documents. No bookings for additional services will be accepted three weeks prior to departure from Australia or New Zealand. Additional services booked after final payment and prior to three weeks before departure and after travel documents are issued will incur an amendment fee AUD $55 or NZD $55 per booked service. Documents will not be released without a fully completed and signed Booking Form and all payments and fees received. MSC Cruise baggage labels are provided at the port. We recommend personal or airline baggage labels be affixed prior to departure from Australia or New Zealand.

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. We advise all passengers to carry travel documents, passport, visas, medicines in line with size and capacity allowances etc in your hand luggage. For security reasons, passengers and/or their luggage may be searched each time they board the ship. Any articles that the cruise company deems potentially dangerous to the passengers, the crew and/or the vessel, will be held in custody while the passenger is on board. Ship’s security will scan all hand-carried baggage when you re board in all ports. If bottles of alcohol are detected they will request these are handed to the ships personnel at the gangway, who will issue a receipt and store the bottles safely for you and return them at the end of the cruise.

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

Europe: EC Regulation 1889/2005 states that: “any natural person entering or leaving the European Community and carrying cash of a value of EUR€ 10,000 or more shall declare that sum to the competent authorities of the Member state through which they are entering or leaving the Community in accordance with this regulation.”

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. MSC Cruise baggage labels are provided at the port. All luggage is to be kept in the cabin. Passengers are advised to carry any medicines, documents and other similar personal belongings in their hand luggage. Valuable luggage is carried at passenger's own risk.

Ship’s security will scan all hand-carried baggage when you re board in all ports. If bottles of alcohol are detected they will request these are handed to the ships personnel at the gangway, who will issue a receipt and store the bottles safely for you and return them at the end of the cruise. For security reasons, passengers and/or their luggage may be searched each time they board the ship. Any articles that the cruise company deems potentially dangerous to the passengers, the crew and/or the vessel, will be held in custody while the passenger is on board. 

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.

We recommend personal or airline baggage labels be affixed prior to departure from Australia or New Zealand. Your free baggage allowance will be that shown on your airline ticket. Airlines reserve the right to charge a supplement for excess baggage. Passengers are advised to check all baggage allowance directly with the air carrier or on airline tickets prior to check in from Australia or New Zealand.

The passenger warrants that they are fit to travel. Passengers with a condition that may affect fitness to travel must submit a doctor’s certificate prior to booking. Passengers with physical or mental disabilities are referred to Clauses 10, 11 15 & 16 of the Booking Terms and Conditions. All passengers should check with their doctor prior to departure from Australia or New Zealand, which vaccinations and/or medication maybe recommended for countries being visited or for their personal requirements.

If you require medication or special cosmetics, please bring an adequate supply. The ship’s medical facility may not always have your specific type or brand on board, nor may it be available at ports of call. For passengers who wear glasses or contact lenses, it is advisable to take an extra pair in case of any loss or damage. Every ship carries a doctor and medical personnel who are able to treat ailments and minor injuries. Medical services are chargeable onboard the ship. MSC Cruises is not in any way responsible for any consequence resulting from a passenger’s inability to travel whether evident or not.

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.

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.