korpo024

1 minute ago, Beamafar said:

 

So ... you're implying that the crew are only friendly if you pay them directly?  That's a downright lie.  We have always found the crew to be friendly and helpful without the need for a bribe.  In fact, we've had exceptional service just because we were known.

No that is not what I am implying. Just said that we always give crewmembers (cabin/tMDR) direct tips...they really like that, because they do not get the DSC...that goes to the company....

Just now, Magnelasagne said:

Still no changes here. Probably just the Italians punishing uk for brexit. 

USA and Holland still not mandatory

18 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

 

The implication being that they wouldn't have been friendly, otherwise   🙄

No implication...just logic

On 2/23/2019 at 11:47 PM, Essiesmom said:

Many crew members come from countries where it may not be mandatory/customary/available to be vaccinated.  But one might suppose that the cruise lines might make it a condition of employment... EM

In Italy the vaccionation is at its lowest point...because people tend to believe their facebook bubble better than their doctor! Stupid people...

On 2/23/2019 at 11:24 PM, BermudaBound2014 said:

WOW!! That would freak lots of people out. The article sounded like all passengers were forced to get vacinnated since it says all passengers and crew were vaccinated. I know people who are 100% against vaccinations- I wonder what they would have done onboard?

Overboard?

2 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

Unlike their employers ... some on here seem to have no trouble with them stiffing their employees.

We always pay the crew directly...so they are always very friendly

Good news from MSC? Wow....

10 hours ago, Beamafar said:

Thanks for reporting on the Norwegian one as the translation I was getting didn't make sense!

 

The following countries' websites still haven't been updated:  Belgium, France and Denmark -  but Sweden's clearly states that the charge is mandatory.  (I'm not going to upload photos to prove all this - my internet has been as slow as dial-up tonight and I've just about had enough!)

Holland and USA still not mandatory

Just now, MarkusToe said:

Looks like this time is the first time ill try to remove..... 

Just to see what happened and have the reject in writing.... 

Same here...we never did remove the Service Charge, but now it is ilegally, mandatory, I will remove it...MSC just can not change the regulations of the game....

42 minutes ago, Scot born said:

Just have 

OMG Americans...so touchy

1 minute ago, Beamafar said:

 

 

CC rules do not permit you to call anyone names.  

Names??? In Internet slang, a troll is a person who starts quarrels or upsets people on the Internet to distract and sow discord by posting inflammatory and digressive,^[1] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the intent of provoking readers into displaying emotional responses^[2] and normalizing tangential discussion,^[3] whether for the troll's amusement or a specific gain.

4 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

I don't understand anyone wanting to remove the DSC's from their account.  You know it's there, and it takes care of the staff that serves you on the boat. Removing it reeks of cheapness to me.  IF you can't afford it, don't sail on ships that have this in place.  

 

Tipping in one form or another has been a part of cruising for just about forever.  

Tipping is NOT normal in Europe. You only tip when there's good service...NEVER mandatory

3 minutes ago, KlausM999 said:

In Germany there will be no change, there is a judgement from BGH that the final price has to be fix. 

But for sure, we will be cruising for the last time with MSC in April 2019, because we dont like all these tricky changes without information. 

Same here...this year will be the last cruises for us with MSC...same thoughts on all the sneaky pricing without any information or communication...

2 hours ago, sidari said:

Bea ... I somehow do not see that happening do you ? they were sneaky enough to add it to the website without telling people, sneakily changed drink packages without telling anyone, as for the Xmas cruise that may be the final nail in the coffin.

 

So now I am printing their current website (USA and Holland) with the removal option. So I can show this to Guest Relations, and they will remove the gratuities. What MSC does is illegal, and on the continent we only tip for good service, NEVER mandatory.

2 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

 

Have you read this thread?  MSC are now saying they are mandatory.  This charge is added to your bill every day and you will not be permitted to disembark the ship until you have settled your bill.

Not possible at existing cruises...you've allready payed...

From MSC USA, still the same

7 hours ago, Omega1 said:

That’s very odd, my contract states,

2.2 Full payment is required no later than 63 days prior to departure (93 days for cruises of 15 nights or more, 120 days for MSC World Cruise 2020).

How can an an additional mandatory charge be added if ‘full’ payment has been made?

Just don't pay the tips...nobody can force uou to do that....

12 hours ago, Aladdin242 said:

Hi everyone

Well MSC do not cut it with me as a major cruise line anymore.

I wrote to them via my TA 3 weeks ago and have just received their reply, via my TA, which I will add her for you all, and others, to read.

 

They have replied taking my original text and commenting on individual sentences and paragraphs so I hope it will make sense.

When reading please note the expiry date of their 'token' offer. Today's date is 18th March 2019!

 

Copy as follows:-

 

In answer to your email.

We are repeating to you, what the passenger has been advised already.

As you know when booking with a wholesaler, all correspondence is with the wholesaler. We do not want the passenger getting annoyed because we cannot speak to them.

When speaking directly to a passenger, they may misunderstand and create a bigger issue.

If you could explain to your clients, we will not deal directly with passengers, due to the booking has been made via a wholesaler.

 

Please refer to Infinity cruise for all correspondence.

We need to have Infinity cruises aware of all request, as they control this booking.

 

Please note the below:

 

Deviations, cancellations and delays

 

6.1 The Vessel’s operation is subject to weather conditions, mechanical problems, vessel traffic, government intervention, duty to assist other vessels in distress, availability of berth facilities, and other factors which may be beyond the Carrier’s control. 

 

6.2 The Carrier does not guarantee that the Vessel will call at every advertised port or follow any particular route or time schedule. The Master and the Carrier shall have an absolute right to change or substitute the advertised schedule, ports, itinerary or route, or substitute other ships, without notice. If a scheduled port of embarkation or disembarkation is substituted, the Carrier shall determine and arrange transportation to the substituted port at no extra expense for the Passenger. 

 

6.3 Before the Voyage begins, the Carrier has the right to cancel the Voyage for any reason without notice if it considers that it is necessary to do so for the safety of the Vessel, or persons onboard.

 

6.4 The Carrier or the Master shall have the liberty to comply with any order or directions as to departure/arrival routes, ports of call, stoppages, trans-shipment, discharge or destination or otherwise given by any government or any department or by any person acting or purporting to act with the authority of any government or any department thereof or by any war risks insurer or association in which the Carrier or Vessel may be entered. Nothing done or not done under such orders or directions shall be deemed a deviation in law.

 

6.5 Any dates and/or times specified in any timetables or otherwise which may be issued by the Carrier are only approximate and may be altered by the Carrier at any time and to such extent as is considered necessary in the interest of the Voyage as a whole.

 

6.6 If the Vessel shall be prevented or hindered by any cause whatsoever from sailing or proceeding in the ordinary course, the Carrier shall be entitled to transfer the Passenger either to any other similar vessel or with the consent of the Passenger to any other means of transportation bound for the Passenger’s place of destination.

 

 

 

 

The cruise has had a port change from Amsterdam to Rotterdam and they are not very happy - please find below their email which they asked me to pass on

 

At time changes are made and beyond MSC Cruises control. Any countries port authority, can change the arrangements at any time.

Circumstances are not always in the control of MSC Cruises. See above terms and conditions.

 

 

I have just noticed that our 15^th May MSC cruise is no longer calling into Amsterdam but going to Rotterdam instead which is an hour away from Amsterdam.

 

We had notified the wholesaler much earlier.

 

 

What angers me is that I have found this out from sources on the internet and although MSC have my full details including email address have not had the courtesy to inform me.

 

Our procedure is to contact the booking agent. We have sent the information to Infinity cruises. They control this booking as per the terms of booking via an agent. It is the wholesaler who was notified and should contact the agent.

 

 

 I have tried calling MSC direct but as I booked the cruise with you they will not talk to me, I am the customer after all and the one paying the fare.

 

The payment of money is not paid directly to MSC Cruises and is paid by a wholesaler. Agents when booking via a wholesaler, that make passengers the 3^rd party in the booking.

Our contract is with Infinity cruises. 

                                                                                                                                                                                

 

As you well know we are prolific cruisers and have been doing 3 cruises per year with other cruise lines.

 

We value all our passengers who have and will cruise with MSC Cruises and all are treat equally.

As your passengers are a first time passenger we look forward to welcoming them on-board.

 

 

We  have been looking at MSC as an alternative mainly because of the variety of itineraries and have been trying to decide on a Round the World cruise.

 

There are many cruise options in the market. We can confidently say we offer, great value for money and a premium cruising product. Our company is growing with our amazing itineraries and ships.

 

 

We chose this cruise to see how MSC compared and also specifically because I have never been to Amsterdam and in or 52^nd year of marriage my wife wanted to show me the City.

 

Unfortunately changes can be beyond our control.

 

 

This unannounced change of port, long after we booked, is not the way to show MSC off to experienced but first time MSC cruisers.

 

Terms are included above. This affect all passengers on this sailing it is not just your client.

If we are to now visit Amsterdam from Rotterdam it is going to cost us time and money, which could have spent onboard which is now highly unlikely.

 

This is also the positive opportunity to visit Rotterdam. The opportunity to visit Amsterdam is still there in the tour on offer.

 

 

As already stated this cruise was for us to compare with other cruise lines that we have earned Gold loyalty status with and to decide if we will make further bookings with MSC.

 

We are please the passengers have taken up our status match offer.

With this in mind the least MSC can do is to cover our additional expenses getting to/from Amsterdam and to make an additional goodwill gesture in showing good faith on their part.

 

We have offered the discounted cost for the Amsterdam tours.       

 

 

We would accept a couple of complimentary meals in the specialty restaurants in this case.

 

We are not offering additional compensation for the itinerary change, by giving speciality restaurants complimentary.

 

 

I have been reading on forums that MSC have been refunding full cost of cruise together with additional travel costs incurred for cancellations.

 

We have no comment on forums as the information is not always factual.

We do not want to cancel but as they are now offering a 6 hour (2 hours travel and 4 hours in Amsterdam) shore excursion from Rotterdam and charging $126.00 per person, it would be a nice gesture on MSC to give the excursion for no charge!

 

The tour offer has been taken up by passengers and is already at a discounted cost.

Regarding the itinerary change below we are pleased to inform you and your clients about 2 special shorex promotions for the port of Rotterdam:

Special Shorex Promo valid till 15.02.2019:

a.       Special Amsterdam at your pace from Rotterdam at a very special price

RTM09 Special Amsterdam at your own pace € 39 ad - € 29ch ( Instead of 49€ AD/€ 39 CH )

Discount -20%

a.       MSC gives you the possibility to enjoy 2 cities Rotterdam and Amsterdam at discounted price Package of 2 tours

PRPORTM Special Promo Rotterdam RTM01 City tour in Rotterdam & Amsterdam City tour and Canal Cruise RTM08 € 109 ad / 89€ ch ( Instead of € 139 and € 101 )

Discount -18%

Please advise if the passengers wish to take up the offer for the shore excursions.

Cathy, I am sure you understand as a travel professional, that changes can happen in all aspects of travel and without compensation being due.

We are the largest cruise line in Europe and changes are very minor and beyond our control, Changes do not happen on a regular basis with MSC Cruise.

SO TRUE...

On 1/5/2019 at 12:08 AM, Lord1983 said:

Cruise lines are totally free to create their future itineraries to POCs without leftish bastards in their city councils, but now they are interfering with existing contracts (they might have passages in their T&Cs allowing them to, but at least here in central Europe that gets kicked by consumer protection) - I booked Amsterdam, I want (to dock right in and not go by some annoying transport to) Amsterdam - it's as simple as that. 

If MSC and every other cruise line decides to skip the city on (not published and sold) cruises from 2021 onwards that's perfectly fine, until then they got to stick to what they sold.

Most times you will dock at 'het westelijk havengebied' and then you also must take a bus to the city. Now you will dock at the most beautiful city of Holland, next to the biggest building by Rem Koolhaas. Don't go to the sh!thole some call Amsterdam, but stay in the beautiful, modern city of Rotterdam!

Just go there at noon. You will get onboard...and then it is still quiet...just take your swim trousers with your carry-on luggage!

1 hour ago, cntrydncr1 said:

Hopefully the OP is still looking at this and will answer questions!  I'm curious about the dinner seatings.  We have a late seating but have been told it can be between 7:45 and 9:30 and we won't know till we are onboard.   9:30 is way too late for me to eat!  Any idea how that worked?  Thanks!

Just go on the first arrival to the maitre 'd and ask for 7.45. They will tell you this is a problem, but keep on telling them that you have a major problem with eating that late...and they will change the setting.

16 minutes ago, mvh said:

So we should blame the left wing environmentalists for not letting all the passengers know about the change? Ask 100 passengers where they would rather port and I would be willing to bet 95 would say Amsterdam.  Rotterdam is not a bad port, but it not Amsterdam. You or anyone else cannot convince me that this is a change for the better. The only response I got from MSC was a quote from the contract basically saying they can change ports at will and owe us suckers nothing. This is probably no different than any other cruise line however. 

Rotterdam is better...every Dutch man knows that....

For all of you who think that Rotterdam is a bad choice. This city is SO much better than Amsterdam. Apart from all of the annoying tourists in Amsterdam, and all of the filth of Amsterdam. Rotterdam is a beautiful, modern city, with a lot to do!

If you are looking for a good hotel near the cruise terminal, Nhow is the place to be! This super modern hotel is just next to the cruise terminal. From the cruise terminal you should go by watertaxi to the centre of the city, where there are a lot of good restaurants and bars. Also museum Boymans van Beuningen, and The Kunsthal are very good for tourists that need a little bit of art!

So when you complain about MSC that is abandoning Amsterdam as a cruise city, you really should be blaming the far leftwing party GroenLinks, they do not want cruiseships in their city, and they do not want anymore tourists in Amsterdam. They even removed the big letters I AM AMSTERDAM (because this is too individualistic). That's how crazy this city council is....these are leftwing enviromentalist fundementalist green people....the kind you have never seen in the USA. 

Luckily in Rotterdam we have still normal people in the city council...

Thank you for all the reactions.

I have see the prices in the pub on Meraviglia, but how is this going to be with the new Packages? Are all beers included in the Easy Package? Or in the Premium? Has anybody been onboard since the new packages? I like IPA beers, and I do not know which Drink Package to buy.