You will receive an automated confirmation immediately to acknowledge your request was received. We will review and process your request within 5 business days. If you do not receive a response within this time frame, please email: specialneeds@msccruisesusa.com

ACCESSIBILITY AND MEDICAL REQUESTS FORM

MSC Cruises S.A. (“MSC”) prioritizes the safety and comfort of all guests. We know that different guests have different needs, and we strive to offer the best possible service in accordance with all relevant international standards and in light of the restrictions inherent to maritime travel. To enable us to tailor our services to your particular requirements, we kindly ask you to read this form carefully and duly complete it at the time of booking but no later than 30 days prior to sailing. This will allow us to prepare for your arrival on board so that your accommodation is as comfortable as possible, while also informing you about life on board your chosen vessel and providing any relevant information you may require.

If the guest’s needs change prior to sailing, it is the guest’s responsibility to promptly notify us (no later than 30 days before sailing) by sending an updated special needs form. In the absence of timely notification, MSC cannot guarantee requested accommodations, though we will always do our best to ensure every guest receives whatever accommodation they need to enjoy their time aboard our vessels.

1. SPECIAL NEEDS GUEST INFORMATION

1.1 Guest Details

(Required fields)

Travel companion (when applicable*)

*Please be advised that crew members are not permitted to assist guests with personal tasks or personal hygiene needs (e.g: assisting with eating, dressing, toileting).

1.2 Parent / Guardian Details

(When applicable)

If the special needs guest is a minor, this form should be completed and signed by a parent having parental responsibility, or by the legal guardian traveling with the minor.

1.3 Cruise Details

(Required Fields)

2. REQUESTED ACCOMMODATIONS

(Required fields)

2.1 General Accommodations

Please select at least one option to continue —choose from either the dropdowns or checkboxes provided.

2.2 Special Diet (See Section 4.0)

1Please be advised that 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 on payment. Coeliac guests are therefore recommended to book a cruise on any of the other ships in the fleet. Moreover, despite our best efforts, we cannot exclude the possibility of cross-contamination.

2Request must be made at least 30 days before departure.

3Please contact your travel agent or sale operator or visit our website at FAQ-Special Diet to learn about applicable prices.

3. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please review the below materials to ensure you have all information necessary to determine whether the accommodation we are able to provide are right for you and your traveling party to travel safely and comfortably. The more information you share with us, the better able we will be to provide tailored accommodations to suit your specific needs.

3.1 Infant

Our ships are not equipped to provide specialist care for infants, nor do we have medical staff with specialized training for them. Caution is therefore advised when traveling with infants, particularly on longer cruises involving multiple days at sea, where access to shoreside specialized medical resources are limited and additional caution is recommended for guests under the age of 12 months. On cruises that are 11 or more nights, infants are allowed onboard only if 12 months or older at the time of embarkation. We strongly recommend that parents traveling with infants or young children consult with their pediatrician prior to booking cruise.

4. DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

MSC makes every effort to accommodate our guests' dietary requirements whenever possible. We keep special dietary needs in mind when planning our menus and serving our meals. MSC is aware that some foods may cause an allergic reaction in certain guests due to intolerance of some ingredients such as the 14 major recognized allergens listed in Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011; therefore guests are requested to inform the Company of any such allergy at the time of booking but not later than 30 days prior to sailing (by duly filling out section 4.1 of this form). We further ask guests to report such allergy or intolerance to Reception - Guest Service and the Maître d’hôtel in the Main Dining Room upon first boarding the ship and prior to consuming any food or beverage onboard.

Although there are a number of options at our various restaurants, our main dining rooms are best equipped to handle food requests and reduce the risk of cross contamination, we therefore strongly advise guests with allergies to consider taking their meals in the main dining rooms, where our dining staff are best able to assist. Despite our diligent efforts, we cannot exclude the possibility of cross contamination between foods. In case of doubt, the guest is advised to confer with the Maître d’Hotel, chef or bartender to know more about the ingredients. We recommend our guests who have known allergies or intolerances to bring any emergency medications including those prescribed by their doctor aboard in order to be able to react in case of any allergic reaction.

4.1 Allergies Or Intolerances

I have a diagnosed allergy or food intolerance to the following allergen:

When booking a tour with a meal included or when dining at Ocean Cay, please remember to always communicate your allergy/intolerance to the appropriate staff.

4Please be advised that 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 on payment. Coeliac guests are therefore recommended to book a cruise on any of the other ships in the fleet.

4.2 Special Foods

For medical reasons or for infants, guests can specifically request some food to be blended onboard. Guests can also bring factory-sealed food onboard, following written approval from the Company

5Products to be taken onboard should respect EU food labelling / packaging regulations, should not have an imminent expiry date, and should be consumed as per the instruction on the label once opened. Each guest cabin contains a cooler, which is not a refrigerator; the temperature inside the cooler is not safe for food storage. We therefore recommend that you bring ice packs for the storage of food once it has been opened from its packaging. No homemade food is allowed. Onboard personnel is not authorized to store or manipulate (cook, heat, etc.) food that a guest brings onboard.

5. REDUCED MOBILITY

MSC strongly recommends guests confined to a wheelchair or travelling in a mobility scooter book a “cabin for guests with disabilities or reduced mobility (H category). ” These cabins are especially equipped with handrails, ramps to the balcony, lower shelves, wider wet-room-style-bathrooms, wider entrance doors, etc., to meet the needs of people with reduced mobility. A regular cabin is not suitable for guests confined to a wheelchair, but can be considered for guests with minor mobility impairments or not requiring a wheelchair to move around in the cabin. Guests occupying a standard cabin should ensure their wheelchair must not exceed a width of 50 cm (20 inches), weight 45kgs (99 Pounds/7sts), with no individual piece to weigh more than 20kgs (44 Pounds/3sts) and not exceeding 50cm (20 inches) when collapsed. Please note that wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and other assistive mobility devices must be stored inside your cabin and cannot be stored in hallways.

Given that cruise ships have to comply with International Safety Regulations and that they have limited capacity to carry assistive mobility devices such as wheelchairs and scooters, if you wish to bring such items on board you must declared such assistive mobility device the time of booking, or as soon as the need is known, so that the cruise line can check the availability to carry it onboard. Failure to provide such information at the time of booking may cause your device to be denied boarding.

5.1 Mobility Device

The wheelchair or scooter must be stored only inside the cabin when not in use. I will use:

Please be advised that the pool is accessible for guests confined to wheelchair on MSC Armonia, Seaside, Seaview, Seascape and Seashore. Moreover, on MSC Lirica, Opera, Sinfonia, Armonia, Poesia, Orchestra, Magnifica, Musica, Fantasia, Splendida, Preziosa, Divina, the Top Solarium area does not have elevator access.

6If electric, please specify the type of battery used:

MSC informs guests that wet batteries may not be brought on board its vessels

7In case the hoist is provided by a third party/rental company, the following documentation should be provided at the time of the booking: Driver ID & vehicle plate for the third party to grant them access to the port.

5.2 Assistance At The Airport And/Or during The MSC Flight

MSC Cruises S.A. informs you that each airport and air carrier has its own restrictions. If you have purchased flights as part of your MSC Cruise package, you are requested to notify us at the time of booking of any special needs, so that we can forward the information to the air carrier in sufficient time for your requirements to be met. Since the air carrier is a third party, it may take a few days to confirm the availability of the service requested. The option of using your own wheelchair to access the stairs/door of the aircraft may be available, depending on the airport of departure.

BOARDING DETAILS:

5.3 Assistance On Board And/Or At The Airport

Please be advised that the means of transportation used for excursions at some ports of call are provided by third parties and not directly by MSC Cruises S.A. These means of transportation are not included in the holiday package and may not be technically suitable for your specific needs.
8 MSC Cruises S.A. informs guests that accessible transportation from and to the terminal outside US ports could result in additional costs payable by the guest.
9 The steepness of the gangways may vary depending on the tides, which can change throughout the day. To ease the access for guests with reduced mobility, on embarkation day, MSC staff will provide wheelchair assistance from the check-in counter inside the cruise terminal to the ship. Outside the cruise terminal assistance is not guaranteed. In the ports of call, assistance is provided from the ship to the pier and vice versa.

5.4 Tender Service

 

Guests must be fit and mobile enough to access and disembark the tender. If guests have impaired mobility or use a mobility aid such as a walking stick, cane, or walker, then they must carefully consider their ability to embark the tender safely before making their way down to the platform. Guests must take into consideration the use of steps, the possibility of a gap and height difference between the platform and the tender, and the potential sudden movement of the tender when making their decision to embark on the tender. Crew members are not permitted to carry wheelchairs and mobility scooters into the tender. For the safety of all guests and crew members, all guests must be able to independently embark and disembark the tenders and lift the scooters independently. Ultimately, carriage by tender may be refused by the master or any of his officers if there is any doubt as to the safety of any guest. In case of doubt, please request a list of tender ports.

5.5 Shore Excursion

 

MSC offers Easy & Accessible tours, which allow slow walkers, wheelchair, and scooter users to visit the destination on easy tours created just for them. Please be advised that special needs vehicles are provided by external third parties; they are therefore subject to availability and at some ports of call they might not be available or not be technically suitable to accommodate every guest’s special need. Guests with reduced mobility are therefore strongly recommended to enquire about the availability of special needs tour at the time of the booking, as availability might vary depending on the tour destination.

6. VISUAL IMPAIRMENT

6.1 Degree Of Visual Impairment

Please be advised that the onboard staff is not available nor specifically trained for daily care. Please consider that crew members are not permitted to assist guests with personal tasks or personal hygiene needs (e.g. assisting with eating, dressing, toileting)

6.2 Service Dog

 

A service dog is a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. In accordance with some specific local regulations, a training certificate might be asked. MSC welcomes service dog on board its cruise vessels, provided they are in good health and in possession of all documents necessary for entry to the foreign countries visited during the cruise (in particular, for the EU the animal will require the compulsory identification document issued by the competent local health authority, stamped within the 24 hours preceding the journey by the veterinary surgeon certifying the animal’s physical condition). The guest, on his/her part, undertakes to be personally responsible for the custody, nutrition and general care of the animal throughout the period spent on board (with the help of the carer or fellow traveler if applicable).

It's the guest’s responsibility to ensure that all documents related to the dog are in compliance with all local regulation for each port of call of the itinerary. Hard copies of the documents must be provided at embarkation. Please be advised that in some ports of call the service dog might not be allowed to get off, according to local immigration rules. Emotional support and companion animals are not allowed on MSC vessels.

7. HEARING & SPEECH IMPAIRMENTS

 

Given that cruise ships have to comply with International Safety Regulations (SOLAS) , we kindly ask guests with hearing disabilities to request the installation of the TDD/TTY System kits at the moment of booking. This kit, available in limited numbers on all ships, includes light and vibrating devices, a text phone and an analogue alarm clock.

8. RESPIRATORY NEEDS

Please note that the onboard medical centre has an oxygen supply limited for use by admitted patients. It is therefore the responsibility of guests on long-term oxygen therapy to make provision for their regular oxygen needs while on board.

CPAP / BiPAP

Electrical devices need to be compatible with the onboard power supply of: 120V/60Hz or 240V/60Hz. Please be advised that there may be interruptions to the shipboard power supply and battery backup is recommended. Extension cords are permitted, providing they do not include surge protectors. Devices should be carried on board as hand luggage.

Mechanical Ventilation

The following details must be provided at the moment of the booking and at least 4 weeks before sailing for review by the Medical Special Needs team .

  • Details of the ventilator type, spare battery capacity, accompanying carers able to operate the equipment.
  • In accordance with local regulations, a medical report containing full details of the underlying medical condition, ongoing management, and approval to sail from the medical specialist might be requested.

Guests on mechanical ventilation are strongly advised to avoid booking cruises with two or more consecutive sea days, considering the lengthy delay before shoreside specialist care can be accessed in the case of equipment or power failure. In the event that a guest chooses to book a cruise with two or more consecutive sea days, the guest will be required to bring a backup set of equipment aboard the ship. Please be advised that there may be interruptions to the shipboard power supply and battery backup is recommended. Electrical devices need to be compatible with the onboard power supply of: 120V/60Hz or 240V/60Hz.

Oxygen: Concentrator

Electrical devices need to be compatible with the onboard power supply of: 120V/60Hz or 240V/60Hz. Please be advised that there may be interruptions to the shipboard power supply and battery backup is recommended. Extension cords are permitted, providing they do not include surge protectors. Concentrators should be carried on board as hand luggage.

Oxygen: Compressed Gas Cylinders

Oxygen cylinder supply must be arranged through a vendor. The maximum size permitted is “E” or M-24 size (680 L at 2,200 psi). For safety reasons only one cylinder is allowed in the cabin. Additional secure storage may be available on a case-by-case basis on request. The guest is responsible for ensuring their supply has been delivered and stowed safely prior to sailing. Oxygen cylinders may be restricted on flights - the guest is responsible for ensuring that the airline is consulted prior to arranging travel.

Oxygen: Liquid Gas Reservoir

Liquid oxygen reservoirs of maximum weight 55kg may be allowed if suitable safe storage is available on board. This will be determined upon request on a case-by-case basis by the Safety Department. The guest is responsible for filling portable cylinders as the ship’s crew are not trained in this procedure. Having understood the onboard limitations I would like to inform that during the cruise I will use:

9. MEDICAL DETAILS

9.1 Pregnancy Details

MSC Cruises SA does not permit guests more than 23 weeks of pregnancy at any time during the cruise to sail onboard. This is for maternal and foetal safety, as specialist obstetric and neonatal care is not available on board. Please indicate below if during your cruise:

Pregnant guests who will be 23 or less than 23 weeks gestation at any time during the cruise will need to submit a letter from their obstetrician/gynaecologist confirming the following:

  • Ultrasound confirmed expected date of delivery (EDD)
  • That the pregnancy is low risk
  • That the guest is fit to sail on board a ship with no immediate access to specialist obstetric or neonatal care

Letters should be sent by email to Special Needs at the moment of the booking and at least 2 weeks before sailing date. A copy will need to be presented at check-in on the day of embarkation.

9.2 Personal Medication

9.2.1 Allowed Medication

MSC recommends that guests pack enough medication to last 14 days after the end of their cruise. We strongly recommend that you keep any medication with you at all times and in your purse or carry-on bag while travelling. Remember to leave all medication in its original container. It is also a good idea to carry a prescription record or written list of your medications in case they are lost. The list should include the name of the drug, dosage and times taken. In case of emergency, the Medical Centre can assist in replacing medications, however, MSC cannot guarantee that the exact medication or an equivalent will be available on board. Please note that the cabin coolers are not fridges and therefore are not suitable for refrigerated medications. We suggest that you bring cool bags with ice packs, or request medication cold storage in the medical centre. Medication stored in the medical centre fridge can only be accessed during opening hours.

Restrictions may apply to travelling with certain controlled drugs. Guests are responsible for ensuring they meet any specific requirements for the countries they are travelling through. It is recommended that guests carry and retain a signed, dated explanatory medical letter from their treating physician detailing the indication for use of any prescription medication. Onboard staff will not routinely ask to see the documentation; however, it may be requested if there are queries by local authorities or additional information is required.

9.2.2 Prescribed Medication Not Permitted On Board

This includes any medications containing drugs of abuse or equivalents which are designated as such, in any of the geographic areas we visit. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Marijuana (including prescription / medical marijuana), and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).
  • Illegal narcotics / drugs including synthetic designer drugs / New Psychoactive Substances (NPS),

It remains the responsibility of the guest to familiarize themselves with the above instructions and check the validity of their medication list with their treating physician or pharmacist.

9.2.3 Medicine Allergy

Guests having a medical consultation while on board are reminded to ensure that all medication allergies are declared to medical staff during registration.

9.3 PERITONEAL DIALYSIS

MSC Cruises does not provide individual haemodialysis. Guests who are stable and able to independently manage home peritoneal dialysis may sail on cruises that do not include trans-ocean crossings or remote itineraries. There are risks associated with traveling on cruise ships while undertaking dialysis, which are listed in the attached Dialysis Acknowledgement of Risk Form. These should be discussed with the guest’s nephrologist, then signed and notified to Special Needs Team at the time of the booking or anytime before four weeks before the sailing. Guests will be responsible for supplying all equipment, medications and supplies necessary to self-perform dialysis. Guests should contact their medical supply company to arrange for dialysis supplies for the entire cruise. Guests are responsible for ensuring adequate supplies of dialysis fluids and supplies are on board stored in their cabin prior to sailing. The shipboard medical staff are not trained in management of peritoneal dialysis.

*Optional for guests who booked in the US market

9.4 Enteral And Parenteral Nutrition

MSC Cruises does not provide enteral or parenteral nutrition, however guests who are able to independently manage it are welcomed onboard. Guests are responsible for providing all feeds and equipment required for the entire duration of the cruise.

9.5 Cognitive Impairment

In order to better anticipate the needs of our guests with cognitive, behavioral or mental health conditions, we recommend that guests consult with their doctor or specialist before travelling on board. We highly recommend travelling with a companion who can provide any support as needed. Please note that medical staff are on hand to provide emergency care but are not able to support daily living needs or provide routine nursing care.

In accordance with some specific local regulations, guests might be asked to provide a fitness to travel on a cruise ship certificate, including any special instructions or requirements to the Special Needs team and to carry it when embarking the ship.

I have been diagnosed with*:

10Guests are reminded that environmental triggers such as noise, crowded spaces and bright / flashing lights are commonplace in the cruise environment and are likely to be encountered during their time on board. Consideration should be given to whether this poses a significant risk to their enjoyment of the cruise.

Children requiring access to the Mini Club must be able to use the toilet independently and without assistance from staff. Please consider that Youth Staff members are neither trained nor permitted to assist guests with personal tasks or personal hygiene needs (e.g. assisting with eating, dressing, toileting).

*Optional for guests who booked in the US market

9.6 Medical Intervention

During the cruise some guests may need extra medical care due to a specific condition. Please provide extra details for our Medical Special Needs team to assess whether this can be offered onboard.

¹¹In order to best prepare for any potential complications we invite you to provide us with medical report from your specialist advising of your specific medical needs.

9.7 Other Medical

General information about medical services on board

Our onboard medical facilities meet or exceed the standards for cruise ship medical centres adopted by CLIA and include basic diagnostic and treatment abilities; however the ship’s medical centres are not required to be and are not equipped to the same standards as a land-based hospital. They are staffed by full-time registered doctors and nurses, including paramedics on some ships. In addition to twice-daily clinic hours, medical staff are available 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency.

Charges for medical services rendered on board are added to your shipboard account, and an itemized account will be provided to submit to your insurance company.

Our Medical Centres are primarily intended to provide acute care for illness and accidents that may occur while on vacation and are not intended to provide long-term care for patients with chronic illnesses or as a substitute for regular health care. The medical staff on board is not available for daily care, unless you are hospitalized in the ship’s medical centre. Please consider that crew members are neither trained not permitted to assist guests with personal tasks or personal hygiene needs (e.g. assisting with eating, dressing, toileting).

If guests become ill or injured during the voyage and the diagnostic and/or care needs exceed the capabilities of the on-board medical centre, guests will be transferred to medical facilities ashore. Please note that many health insurance plans do not cover the cost of medical care at sea, in foreign countries, or for air evacuation unless this has been specifically arranged. Guests are encouraged to obtain travel medical insurance prior to travel in order to be reimbursed for services rendered.

10. OTHER CONDITIONS

10.1 Implanted Device

Guest with special implanted devices (for example pacemaker) are requested to inform our security staff at the time of embarkation, so the staff can provide safe, alternative screening.

10.2 Biohazard Container

10.3 Invisible Disabilities

MSC Cruises S.A. also informs you that:


The Captain has the power in any event - acting on the advice of the on-board Medical Officer - to refuse, at his entire discretion, to allow you to embark, or to require you to disembark at any time and at any port, at your own cost, in the event that your safety is likely to be compromised and required treatment cannot be safely provided onboard.

  • At MSC Cruises, we are committed to the fair processing of your personal data. In this instance, your personal data may be processed by separate data controllers. MSC Cruises S.A., headquartered in Avenue Eugène-Pittard 16, Geneva, Switzerland, is the Controller for all main activities concerning the management of your booking as an MSC Cruises Guest. MSC Cruise Management UK Ltd, headquartered in 5 Roundwood Avenue, London, may process your personal data for the purposes where it is required to accommodate your request for special accommodation and might involve the processing of your health or other sensitive data. For detailed information about our data processing activities, including those carried out by other entities within MSC Cruises, as well as your associated rights, such as the ability to withdraw consent at any time, please consult our Privacy Notice available at https://www.msccruises.com/int/privacy or contact our Data Protection Officer at dpo@msccruises.com.

MSC Cruises S.A. highlights that completing and signing this form does not constitute proof of the positive conclusion of the holiday package contract, which is ruled by our Booking Terms and Conditions of Carriage and General Terms and Conditions of Sale available on our website, but should be considered a signed self-declaration of personal special needs shared with the company.

I, the undersigned, on my part, declare that:
  • The information provided above is complete and truthful and that I consent to it being processed in accordance with the above arrangements;
  • I have read and accept the Booking Terms and Conditions of Carriage and General Terms and Conditions of Sales and transportation and Code of Conduct as included in the relevant MSC Cruises S.A. brochure or website;
  • I have been fully informed of all circumstances which are potentially prejudicial to my health and safety. I have decided in full knowledge of the facts to purchase the holiday package, accepting the risks relating thereto