Classynfun1

The result of my bid was that one was grayed out and pending for 5 days. Three rooms at the level had been available before and at the beginning of the lock. I ultimately was told we did not win the bid (though it was listed as strong). On board now in my sky suite and still happy. 

1 hour ago, alfiemom said:

Has always been a $200 discount for us for years.  It’s not cruise specific.

Interesting. My husband just hit his 33rd year of service and I've been told more than once it is available only for for specified cruises as a discount when booking. 

They sometimes have lower rates on specific cruises (you can select to see them when you price a cruise online). There is not an across the board discount for all veterans on all cruises

though. 

On 2/15/2022 at 10:26 PM, awestover89 said:

Ultimately decided to book the VIP Cabana for 2 at Pearl Island. My thoughts going into that decision:

 

• This is a birthday cruise, so the idea of a VIP cabana sounded nice as a celebration
• We usually travel with friends, not often it's just the two of us, and since it's a 2 person cabana, now seemed like a good time
• Reviews online regularly repeated that people like the food at Pearl Island more than Blue Lagoon
• PI is 5 hours, vs 4 hours at BL
• At BL, I'd probably be most interested in either the dolphin swim or sea lion encounter, and I can do both of those in the Florida Keys, so less of a push to try it in the Bahamas

How was the Pearl Island VIP Cabana tour? I know if was awhile ago, but would you book it again? 

Just now, Oceangoer2 said:

So now you're expected to outbid the (unknown) bids without a slider?

Seems that way! And weird it is only on one of the two bids I've placed. 

I'm a data person. For all I know every one of those other bidders is a Zenith bidding the max in the same level cabin I'm in (so any extra bid would be for naught). Or maybe they are all in the lowest cabin category offered to bid bidding the minimum. I have no idea. Such a prisoner's dilemma - I think it is designed to make me 'feel' like I need to increase my bid without actually showing me any solid reason to do so. 

Here is an interesting one. So I have a move up bid in for a November 22, 2023 cruise. Originally, I bid on three categories but canceled one bid. I now have two categories with bids. If I click to modify one of the bids, I get taken to the slider page where I can move by bid up or down. For the other bid, if I click to modify, I get take to a page I've never seen before. It contains my current bid amount, an open box to add a new bid (won't accept it unless it is higher than the current bid), tells me how much time is left on the countdown clock until the offers are reviewed, and tells me how many others are bidding on the same category of stateroom. Has anyone ever seen this before? Here it is below (minus the picture of a stateroom - but this is exactly what I see on the page).

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

Surprised.   Usually the Shoreside Concierge contacts you by phone and email and advise you of the "Special Delivery" desk outside the terminal where they take your luggage and escort you inside, through the hustle and bustle and once cleared in the Retreat Lounge you are escorted to your room. 

 

While we don't need an escort we have always been escorted often even in a CS.

We've only ever been taken to the lounge or Luminae. Once we were left right inside the doors as we were handed the welcome champagne. We were being escorted with another couple (that we did not know) as we arrived at the same time.

We have just never been taken to our cabin/offered to go to our cabin. 

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

We haven’t been escorted on board when in a RS, but we always manage to find our suite unaided.😉 

Same! I didn't even realize that was a thing. I checked - we have sailed 10 times in RS or above and never escorted once. 🤷

Reviving this thread. Has anyone done these cabanas? Worth it? Thank you!

21 hours ago, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Tampa was been the worst port I have experienced

why would you think less people on the ship , this November TA crossing is over 99% booked 

Tampa is my home port but I've never sailed out of it. Can you share why it was so bad? 

On 9/26/2023 at 1:50 PM, sunlover33 said:

Not our thing either. We have also booked our first cruise in over 20 years with a different company after sailing with Celebrity or Azamara are going with MSC in the yacht club. We are only elite, (would never be able to reach the lofty heights of zenith)  but sadly Celebrity is just not what it was for us. I just wonder how many more have done so? 

We've taken 3 yacht club cruises with MSC this year alone. We haven't sailed on X this year but here I am considering booking a thanksgiving cruise. Not getting very excited about booking a suite on X at the significantly higher prices with what I'm reading. And I was a DIE HARD X fanatic for a really long time. I'm really wondering if I should even do it. 

On 7/17/2023 at 10:07 PM, Mcgeneseo said:

OMG! The Rusty Pelican is still around? I went there on my first "fancy" date in 1977 when I was 17. Of course, I was madly in love and was sure we'd be together forever going to the RP for our anniversaries.  Nope. But it was a fabulous meal and the memories are good.

There are several around Florida! We have one up here in Tampa as well. 🙂

Just now, phred119s said:

Nah. We booked pretty last minute (not even 2 months ago) so we are hanging with the masses. Haha

Will still be nice to know there are other good people onboard! We actually booked 2 weeks ago so I get it. I've never needed a vacation so bad and yet also been so unprepared at the same time. Lol

1 minute ago, phred119s said:

I’ve thought the same (getting off/getting on). We are sailing with you!

Wonderful! Are you also sailing YC? 

Thanks so much for this thread. Bummed you are disembarking on the 23rd, right as we will be getting on the ship! Would gave been nice to meet you since, without even knowing it, you are one of the reasons we decided to give MSC a go! We did our first MSC cruise in December, in yacht club of course. Getting cruise #2 in next week before I start a new job on the 31st. 

After 450+ days on ships, most on Celebrity (in The Retreat or suite class before it existed), we enjoyed our experience in the yacht club. So..thank you! :)

5 hours ago, sbd78 said:

Awesome, do you have kiddos? I have a 16 year old boy, 12 year old girl and 10 year old boy. Enjoy, maybe we will see you on the ship!

No, no kids! Just a quick getaway for my husband and I. Sounds like you all will make some wonderful memories this holiday season. 😊

On 12/14/2022 at 10:58 AM, Homosassa said:

You must always check this information for yourself (along with any required documents for the cruise).

 

Claiming that (place entity here) told you (or didn't tell you) makes no difference when denied boarding at the pier.

 

I booked a cruise back in July for January 2o23.  At the time testing was required for all passengers. 

 

It has been changed and is currently testing is not required.  However, with the current problems with the triple disease epidemic, I will check the requirements to see if any change has been made. 

Sure. But this was literally a cruise from Miami for 4 days, booked less than a week out. The information is straight from MSC and is written in the ticketed docs as well. Thought I'd help OP. She can always call, sit on hold for an hour and get told the exact same thing. 

On 12/11/2022 at 10:36 AM, sbd78 said:

Hello. My family of 5 is departing from Miami on an MSC cruise in 8 days. It says on the MSC website that testing for unvaccinated guests is no longer required, only recommended for guests departing from U.S. ports. (We are not vaccinated, not interested in a debate on that!) We've called MSC twice now and they tell us we are required to provide a negative test to board, but I suspect this is incorrect info based on their website? How to we find out for sure? Can anyone who has sailed recently provide your experience? Thanks. I really don't want to test all of us if it isn't necessary!

We juat booked ourselves for the same cruise. Were told during booking that there was no need for vaccination cards or testing prior to embarkation. 

Hi all - 

My long time TA does not book with MSC cruises, so I either have to go directly to MSC or find another agency to do so. I reached out to one TA and they told me that "the current price shown by MSC already includes all military discounts." I am unsure with that response true reading through MSC's website. So my question to those of you that have booked MSC utilizing your military discount - how is it applied?  Will prices shown already show the discount after all? Will I have to get a TA to call in after booking to request it? Is it easier to just book with MSC (and sit through those long wait times)? I'd love any guidance you all can provide here. 

Thank you so much!

12 hours ago, Dashikda said:

Mine is additional offered by my TA. My original booking rate has not any obc offer. And also my 50 usd as for diamond member is not written anywhere.

Are you outside the US?

This thread is really making me miss the days Cruise Critic has DMs and was of sharing info that still stayed in line with board policies. I found so many good excursions, met so many great people on shared itineraries, and, found an amazing TA all from CC. Now looking for a new TA (my other agency does not book MSC Cruises) - ugh. Just flying blind! That said, if anyone wants to email me for any reason, feel free classynfun at gmail! 😉

1 hour ago, Dashikda said:

I can see it in the app:

Profile- My cruise info- Included in your cruise package. 

Just under "items included" i can see my "ship board credit"

OP is referring to additional OBC offered to them by their TA, not the MSC OBC. 

You wont see anything on the MSC site about TA OBC. That won't be visible and applied until you are onboard. Bring your TA paperwork if you want documentation just in case. 

8 hours ago, NavyCruiser said:

We both had our 3rd booster shot last week, so no issues with being vaccinated.

But we still need to get PCR tested 3 days before boarding Apex in Ft Laud in Jan 2022...?

Thanks,

2 days for adults. I board Thursday and today was the earliest we could test. 

19 minutes ago, cle-guy said:

LOL, I'm actually on for 3 weeks, getting off April 4.  Also doing the Atlantis Charter in the middle.

Wow! That means I finally get to meet you, Curt! We booked this cruise a few weeks ago as a treat since we move on Tuesday from San Diego to Tampa. We will need a little break in short order. 
 

Now I am even more excited! You helped me tons in the past (especially when planning my Summit Honeymoon 4.5 years ago) and now I can finally say a proper Thank You. 🙂