“Your travel insurance policy doesn’t cover Covid,” said the Southampton port official with a nervous smile.
My heart sank. How would this play out? After 14 months without sailing on an ocean-going cruise ship I feared my voyage was over before I had even boarded MSC Virtuosa, the line’s new flagship vessel that is the first ship to sail domestic UK cruises since the restart was permitted.
The travel insurance policy I had was taken away and examined closely by the official’s colleagues. They gathered round the freshly-printed document and stared at it intently. It didn’t do my nerves any favours.
Rather than being separated from my group in the City Cruise Terminal I was told to take a seat with them. After a few minutes, I was escorted to an office on the other side of the forecourt at the terminal where I was met by the MSC sales team.
Sure, there were a few light-hearted quips from port staff about not having the right travel insurance but within moments I was given the option of buying a new policy for Europ Assistance for £22. My passage to MSC Virtuosa was secure.
Back in the main building, and now fully covered, I was swiftly escorted through the terminal like Italian cinematic star and MSC godmother, Sophia Loren, at a ship christening – rather than a cruise journalist without the right paperwork.
After going through security, we were met by a line of people in white hazmat suits waiting to test us. This sight might have put us off 12 months ago – but not today. Not after the year the cruise industry has endured to get sailings back up and running in this country.
There was a cheerful port official standing next to each hazmat suit to, I felt, ease any possible tension that may have been caused.
Nearly 200 customer-facing port officials have been given a day’s training before MSC Virtuosa’s maiden voyage to deal with passengers during the pandemic. MSC Cruises’ UK boss Antonio Paradiso later told me that the port had spent two months preparing for this cruise. It certainly showed.
The @ABPSouthampton staff, working on behalf of @MSC_Cruises_UK, have been brilliant this morning as 900 passengers arrive at City Cruise Terminal. Nothing is too much trouble and plenty of good humour. pic.twitter.com/eHWRhzjjRl
— Harry Kemble (@HarryKemble) May 20, 2021
Nothing was too much trouble. It was clear that the cruise passengers and the port officials were just happy to see each other after a 14-month hiatus.
Throughout the check-in, well wishes, engaging questions and beaming smiles were exchanged over counters in the terminal. As we waited 15 minutes for our nasal swab test results to come through, we were given refreshments in the seating area.
Soft drinks were served by attentive staff as we updated each other on the past year or so. Masks which had remained firmly on our faces, apart from when being tested, were briefly removed as we sipped while sitting down.
The check-in had taken no more than half hour, including the Covid test, drinks and, of course, the insurance mishap which caused me hardly any bother at all.
I am about to board #MSCVirtuosa in Southampton. After a 14-month break, cruise ships are back sailing in the UK. @MSC_Cruises_UK@AntonyParadiso@travelweeklypic.twitter.com/nKee8E3SOV
— Harry Kemble (@HarryKemble) May 20, 2021