Homosassa

Those of us in Florida have "figured it out." We use umbrellas or accept that we will get wet. We allow extra travel time because of road flooding. And for anyone flying in or out, we know that the various airports across the state will closed due to nearby lightning strikes as the thunderstorms move across the state. Unless the port is closed (usually because of excessive wind and wave height, cruise ships will arrive and depart as scheduled.

I am also very confused about the 60% refunded by the insurance company as 100% of the cost of the fare was refunded by MSC. However, it looks like the OP will not explain because she, herself does not know what she is complaining about (husband handled the paperwork). For anyone who is not familiar with Generali Insurance, it is an independent insurance company. We have used them in the past and have found them to be easy to work with. During Covid, when a start up cruise MSC) that we insured with Generali, was cancelled, the company transferred the policy money paid to the next cruise (Princess) we booked. When that cruise was also cancelled, the policy was transferred to the Celebrity cruise that we finally ended up going on. We also just had Generali pay the full cost of the cruise fare when we needed to cancel ten days before embarkation due to illness.

Again, we do not know who the OP was contacting or the exact timing of the contact. If the timing was such that the special needs form would not be received forty five days before embarkation, then MSC was following its procedures in stating the accommodation should be requested on board ship. (Also the statement that when requested on board, the accommodation may not be available on the first day of the cruise also held true). As for responsibility, a passenger should read and understand all the information that a cruise line provides on its website. If a passenger is deciding that the passenger is acting as their own agent and handling the reservation, the above statement especially hold true. If that is not done by the passenger, then a cruise professional (such as a MSC accredited travel agent) should be used. The Special Needs information does mention that the form is available through such travel agents.

The question that has not been answered is was the clear instructions for requesting accommodations that are included on the main website page under a link for "Special Needs" followed? The response to this question has been vague as to timing of the request and the specifics of who the request was addressed to. The instructions clearly state that the request must be made using the Special Needs form at least forty five days before sailing and be returned to the address on the form. Failure to do so means that the accommodation may not be available on the day of embarkation, but will be available, if possible, as soon as it can be arranged. It appears that the experience about the accommodation availability followed the information on the website.

broberts: Did you read the link I attached which gives the information on how to submit any special needs and the time frame for submission before sailing to have the accommodation in place upon embarkation? It would be nice to have the complete story of the procedure used and the time frame for the request in order to evaluate the OP's experience.

OP, did you contact the Special Needs people as instructed on the MSC website (go to the bottom of the main page and there is a link for special needs)? I have traveled on MSC with fellow passengers that have dietary restrictions or mobility requirements and in each time, accommodations have been available as requested through special needs. https://www.msccruisesusa.com/manage-booking/special-needs?_gl=1*16kzuiq*_up*MQ..&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3o2R_IWxhgMVCKhaBR2kLg22EAAYASAAEgL5B_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

As I have had my credit card declined at the check in kiosk on board and needed to make a quick call to the credit card company that the charge from a French bank was valid, I now make sure that the cc company knows that a charge will be coming in from either a French or Swiss bank and have a notation made on my travel information.

No, you were given a 1 PM check in time. How long you have to wait before boarding can vary.

The horrific reviews are from cruisers who don't understand that they are sailing on an international cruise line (roots in Italy) that serves an international clientele and not sailing on Carnival, NCL or RCCL. We cruise Celebrity (also Princess, HAL, and Viking Ocean) and greatly enjoy MSC. I especially enjoy the food in the MDR as it is Italian (Italian American) cuisine as well as food that is like one would find in Europe, Asia, and South American. It is unfortunate that MSC has decided to gear some of the food offerings in the MDR to the food tastes of some US cruisers.

I was using the correct term of "primo" as used in Italian culture to describe the first ("primo") course of pasta. It is small in size and usually does not contain fish or meat. This information is included in case someone is ever told that a particular pasta course is not available as a "primo." The "primo" comes after other courses such as the antipasto. You are correct that MSC has dumbed down their menus (as have many cruise lines) to lump all the various courses that come before the main entree in the category of "starters." However, for those who may wish to have the pasta as a "starter," if one tells the waiter that one wants the pasta as a "primo," he will know what you are ordering.

The confusion is among those who do not understand the difference between the dinner size pasta portion and the availability of almost any pasta dish as a "primo." The "primo" is small and usually doesn't contain meat or seafood which means depending on the dish, may not be available as a "primo" course. When I have ordered the pasta as a "primo," it was a much smaller portion than an entree.

Read the prohibited (do not bring) lists available on cruise line websites. You will find it. (Carnival is an example). Several reasons for the prohibition - limited public deck space and an obstacle for others on the deck; the health hazard of dumping contaminated water in deck showers stalls, drains or the gutters (including the flooding of deck gutters off private balconies causing overflow on balconies below and next to the dump site).

Many cruise lines now have any type of blow up pool (including small bath tub size) on the prohibited list. Check with MSC before bringing one.

My husband is lactose intolerant. He has never had a problem on any cruise line because he knows what foods contains lactose and avoids them. If he wants to "cheat," he uses Lactaid and limits his intake. By the way, cream contains a minimal amount of lactose and can be used instead of milk. Cream is available in both the buffet and other dining venues.

This is an assumption and perhaps a reflection of a personal philosophy. There is another well know cliche about what happens when one assumes....