SPECIAL NEEDS

Questions

• • Does MSC Cruises offer assistance to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility?

    MSC Cruises and its staff have always been sensitive to the needs of its guests and constantly strive to provide the best service possible in accordance with international accessibility standards. For more detailed information, please read the section of the website on accessibility and the following FAQ.

  • Do on-board staff receive special training in providing assistance to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility?

    All on-board staff receives special in-house training so that they are aware of the needs of passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility and are able to give them the necessary assistance.

  • How can I let MSC Cruises know about my special needs?

    MSC Cruises should be informed of all special needs via the Special Needs Form, which is available online and at all accredited travel agencies. In addition to the Form, a medical certificate confirming that the passenger is fit to go on cruise may be requested.

  • What is the deadline for notifying MSC Cruises of my special needs?

    In order to be able to provide our guests with the best possible on-board experience, we need to be aware of all our guests’ special needs in good time, regardless of their complexity. We therefore ask that guests inform us of any needs they have when they make their booking, or at the latest two working days before departure. After this deadline, we may be unable to provide the level of assistance required.

  • Who will handle my request and how will it be treated?

    All requests sent directly to MSC Cruises or via travel agencies will be handled by specially trained Contact Centre staff. For certain requests closer examination from a practical or medical point of view may be necessary, and this will be carried out by a specialised internal committee. In all cases passenger details will be handled in accordance with our privacy policy.

  • How soon will I receive a reply?

    On working days requests are usually dealt instantly. In some cases, however, closer examination may be necessary and replies may take a little longer. In all cases we aim to reply as soon as possible.

  • Could MSC Cruises refuse my booking or deny me boarding?

    This would only happen in the interests of ensuring the safety of guests and the crew, which is of paramount importance.

• • Are there cabins for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility?

    Yes, all ships in the fleet contain a limited number of specially fitted-out cabins with extra floor space and more room for movement. These cabins should be requested at the time of booking. For further information and technical specifications, please see the relevant section.

  • Can a passenger with reduced mobility travel alone?

    Yes, provided that he/she is fully independent. Otherwise, he/she must travel with a carer who can provide the necessary assistance.

• • Which areas of the ship are accessible to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility?

    All decks, public areas and passenger areas of our ships are designed to be as accessible as possible for guests with reduced mobility. The tenders are also accessible.

  • Are there wheelchairs available to passengers? Can I use them?

    Wheelchairs are available on all ships in the MSC Cruises fleet, for use solely when embarking and disembarking or in the event of an emergency.

  • Are there excursions accessible to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility?

    The majority of excursions are fully accessible, but it is nevertheless advisable to check the details in the relevant section. Once on board, passengers are advised to look at the programme of available tours through the Excursions Office. A special key will indicate the level of difficulty for each individual excursion and whether passengers with reduced mobility can take part.

  • Are the ports visited during the cruise accessible to passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility?

    The majority of ports are fully accessible, but it is nevertheless advisable to check the details in the relevant section.

• • Can a passenger with visual disabilities travel alone?

    Yes, provided that he/she is fully independent. Otherwise, he/she must travel with a carer who can provide the necessary assistance or with a properly trained guide dog.

  • Can I travel with my guide dog?

    Properly trained and certified guide dogs are always allowed on board, provided they are in good health and have all the documents required for entering the foreign countries visited during the cruise. The guest will be informed in advance about the kind of accommodation to be provided for the animal, any facilities provided and the procedure for embarking and disembarking. Guests are personally responsible (with the aid of their carer if applicable) for the custody, feeding and general care of the animal.

  • Are there signs for passengers with visual disabilities?

    All our ships are fitted with Braille signs in public areas, in lifts and at the entrance to cabins. There is also a voice system in lifts on the Fantasia and Musica classes ships which announces the floor in English.

• • Can a passenger with hearing disabilities travel alone?

    Yes, provided that they have partial hearing disabilities and there is a TDD kit in their cabin (including light and vibrating devices, a text phone and an analogue alarm clock). Otherwise, they must travel with a carer. A limited supply of this equipment is available on all ships and must be requested at the time of booking.

• • Can I travel while pregnant?

    Yes, provided you do not reach or exceed the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy during the trip. Regardless of the stage of pregnancy, before going on a cruise it is advisable to consult a doctor who will be able to establish whether the guest is fit to travel.

• • Can I undergo dialysis treatment onboard?

    Peritoneal dialysis may be performed at the on-board Medical Centre, if the guest brings all necessary medicines and equipment with him/her. The equipment and machines used for haemodialysis treatment are carried on board certain cruises only. For further information on this service please contact your travel agent.

• • Is MSC Cruises able to provide assistance and entertainment for children with disabilities?

    Children with disabilities have regular access to all on-board services and facilities: although they do not offer a childcare service, entertainment staff are trained to provide a wide range of entertainment aimed specifically at youngsters. All children, including those with disabilities, are assigned to an entertainment area according to their age. If necessary, children or young people with special needs may be placed in a lower age group (with the prior consent of the parents), or may participate in specific activities, with their parents if necessary. If needed, or in the event of an emergency, the parents will be notified promptly, possibly by using beepers.

• • Are there special menus for coeliac passengers or for those with food allergies/intolerances?

    Guests with food intolerances and/or allergies must inform MSC Cruises of their needs via the Special Needs Form and, once on board, confirm their requirements at Reception and/or with the Maître d’Hôtel.  MSC Cruises has obtained a certification from Bureau Veritas for the preparation and serving of gluten-free meals worldwide (food code: < 20 ppm*) in the main restaurants of MSC Seaside, MSC Seaview, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa, MSC Divina, MSC Splendida, MSC Fantasia, MSC Magnifica, MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra and MSC Musica.  On MSC Armonia, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera and MSC Lirica guests can find only a limited selection of pre-packaged gluten-free snacks such as, biscuits, croissants, sponge cakes and muffins.  Once MSC Grandiosa and MSC Bellissima are launched, we will complete the certification process with Bureau Veritas that will allow us to offer gluten-free menus on these ships as well. The process is expected to be completed within 1 month after the launch of the ships, so please check availability of gluten-free menus at time of booking.  If informed in advance, on-board staff will also be happy to help guests in choosing their meals to ensure they avoid foods or ingredients which may cause allergic reactions.    *MSC gluten free menus are suitable for gluten intolerance, but not in case of gluten allergy.

  • Can I bring food and drink on board?

    Food and drink may only be brought on board for health reasons. Otherwise they will be confiscated during check-in and returned at the end of the cruise.

  • Can I bring medicines on board?

    Yes. If possible, they should be carried in hand luggage. We also advise our guests to carry the list of medicines they intend to take on board with them, to allow on-board medical staff to provide assistance in the event of a medical emergency.

• • Can I bring my mobility scooter on board?

    Yes, you can. Scooters must be stored and batteries recharged in your stateroom/cabin (avoiding to connect when using the hairdryer).  Keep in mind that the scooter minimizes the available space within your stateroom.
    
    Due to safety considerations, wheelchairs and scooters cannot be stored in the corridors. Your personal scooter should be able to fit in a standard stateroom with a limited entry doorway (58 cm on MSC Divina and MSC Armonia, 68 cm on MSC Lirica, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Opera, 62 cm on the others). If your scooter is larger than the dimension reported for your chosen ship, you shall book an H stateroom or rent a smaller scooter. Segways and other similar vehicles cannot be operated on board. They shall be confiscated and can only must be taken off the ship to be used while in port.