cruiseguyinorl

Guess you missed this part when you booked it?

OCEAN VIEW YACHT CLUB CABANA (max 6 pax) - ONE DAY RENTAL (YC GUESTS EXCLUSIVE)

No reason to be "unhappy" with the cruise line.

You are not able to book shore excursions for multiple cabins with MSC but this doesn't mean your cabins aren't linked. Linking cabins with them only serves the purpose of sitting together at the same dining table and nothing else really.

If you do book shore excursions for each cabin, make sure you go to the shore excursion desk once onboard so they assign them to the same departure time in case there are multiple.

Bret

On 4/22/2023 at 1:30 PM, Oxo said:

What about the passengers who put their bare feet on the tables, chairs, couches?

MSC actually had a paragraph on this in the Daily Planner on my recent Meraviglia cruise. Reminding people of proper etiquette when in public versus at home. First time I had noticed that.

Bret

15 hours ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

What does SRN stand for anyway?

Are you a TA logging into the agent site? That is only supposed to be displayed to them. It is what is known as NCF for the TA community or what would be the way old Port Charges for everyone else. Basically that is the part of the cruise fare that the cruise line does not pay commission on to TA's. As a non-TA, you should only be seeing $219 as the cruise fare and taxes of $140.

Bret

If you are doing a cruise from a US port that leaves and comes back to the same port, you can use the birth certificate and DL. But you will need a marriage certificate or other court papers that link the maiden name and name on the DL. Won't be a problem if you have that.

Bret

On Meraviglia now. They offering a backstage areas tour, a command and control center tour (bridge and engine control room) and an Ultimate which includes both. The Ultimate is $80.

Bret

Yes, your plan if fine. Just be a no show. Otherwise trying to cancel will incur cancellation penalties and additional charges for your mother. Refund of taxes is not automatic, but if you contact them 2-3 weeks after the sailing date, they will refund. Though that could take another few weeks.

Bret

On 3/30/2023 at 10:26 AM, JamieLogical said:

There is no way to pre-pay your daily service charge online, which is annoying. I really like to have everything pre-paid so I don't have to worry about it onboard. And I am terrified to call customer service about anything, for fear of them touching my booking and messing something up. So I guess I will just pay that with my onboard balance at the end of the cruise(s).

I was able to do this for this sailing with no problem. Directly from one of their pre-cruise emails. It is buried in the section where you can buy Onboard Credit and it is labeled as Hotel Service Charge.  Probably too late to add it at this point though.

Bret

Just got this from my MSC rep:

Don't miss out on this last minute Flash Sale for the MSC Seaside from Port Canaveral, with rates slashed up to 25%! Here are the details:

Sale runs from 3/30 - 4/3/23

Up to 25% off select 7-night cruises from Port Canaveral

Available dates 8/6, 8/20, 9/3, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12/23

Visit Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Cozumel, and Costa Maya

Rates from $299pp

Meraviglia has at least two round 12 tops in the Waves restaurant. Can't speak for the other restaurants onboard.

Bret

12 hours ago, chisoxfan said:

We never 'missed' a cruise but a year or two out find cruises that may be more attractive and want to be able to make a change without penalty.

Unfortunately, this is exactly the reason they made the YC non-refundable. In speaking with upper management in Geneva, they had too many issues with folks tying up premium inventory then releasing closer to sailing. They were not always able to resell the cabins. Attaching a NR deposit has decreased the turnover.

Bret

On 1/19/2023 at 5:20 PM, Fla Mike said:

I still stand by an earlier statement that MSC farms out the customer service to a third party.

You are correct. Many are third party but not all.

28 minutes ago, B_A_H said:

MSC systems are either archaic or being used beyond what they were originally built for.

You are also correct. The original program they use was not designed for cruises. Hence, a good bit of the problem.

Bret

Unfortunately, I no longer watch this particular vlogger. It so happens that every video of his, on ships that I have been on, his opinion is completely opposite of mine at least on most things. I found myself thinking that his opinions don't match those of the typical cruiser. At least not those of my clients and mine.

Bret

5 hours ago, nyc12345 said:

If we booked a Bella guarantee and got assigned a cabin, can we change the room to a different room in the same category?

Depends who you get on the phone. It has been done but they don't like to.

Bret

FYI re: prices. Just off the Meraviglia last month. Butcher's Cut up to $59 and Kaito Sushi at $39.

Bret

As someone who deals with MSC Check-In on nearly a daily basis, I completely understand. First, don't be misled by the section at the end of check-in where is says to Download the PDF of your "Boarding Pass". There is no such thing and I wish they would get rid of that. All you need is the eTicket they will email you if the other part is done correctly. Also, don't be misled that you have to upload a picture. Just completed one for someone today and a picture still isn't required. Hard to help you out on the other part without seeing the info you entered. Usually it is a problem with the address. Also, sometimes the Passport or ID number magically disappears and needs to be reentered. Sorry I can't help more but your info is limited.

Bret

I have always used 999999999 for the BC number (though any numbers will do) and put any expiration date within the next couple of years. Too far in the future is not allowed.

Bret

In the past, it has asked when when I go to login onboard for the first time if I wanted to upgrade.

Bret

Unfortunately no. Divina is not a "smart ship".

Bret

Just had people use birth certificates in December on a 3 night Meraviglia cruise.

Bret

For embarkation, the wheelchair assist is just inside the terminal entrance. So he will have to make it inside on his own. For debarkation, they will ask everyone that needs wheelchair assistance to meet in the Silver Lounge at their assigned time.

Bret

4 hours ago, niknot said:

there were a number of people carrying on cases and 12 packs of soda.

Those kinds of things were stopped and confiscated on the Meravigilia early December.

Bret

6 hours ago, Calgary Couple said:

Is it possible for someone to request a certain time to get off in order to catch your flight?

Just off the Meraviglia. Express Self-Assist was first. Transfer Guests to airport (those that booked through MSC) were next. Then Diamond and then by deck. I was Diamond and scheduled at 8:45 if that helps.

Bret

4 hours ago, JimInFla said:

I asked for a large table for our group of 4.... got a table for 4. 

MSC can't do table size requests pre-boarding. No place in their system for it. Well, there is...but it's just a note that no one will probably see. The agent was just "yes"ing you to get off the phone. The automated dining assignment system onboard typically assigns a table that matches the number of people in the cross-reference. Hence your table for 4. Those kind of requests have to be done once onboard. Maybe one day MSC will be come more advanced.

Bret

"A cruise ship passenger who went overboard off the Central Florida coast was found dead in the ocean early Thursday, according to the Coast Guard."

I am on today's sailing. Text from MSC advises a 5 hour delay in embarkation. I'm not complaining at all considering the circumstances. Just letting others know that may be sailing today and didn't get the message.

Bret