Homosassa

A more accurate statement would be a male of any age....

Unlike those who do not have the knowledge and experience of hurricanes (in Florida or elsewhere), we know that being "fortunate" has nothing to do with being "high and dry." That knowledge and experience made it simple to determine if we were at risk based on the storm projection path, our location, elevation and building construction . In Milton's case (and Helene's) there was no worry about being adversely impacted by the storm. There may be a time when we are high tailing it out of the area based upon various factors. Also, because of knowledge and experience, we do know what needs to be done locally and elsewhere and we are doing it. Part of what we do is educate those who have no knowledge that they know conditions during and after a hurricane but still "Ass-U- Me" that their advise is needed.

Yeah, I am dealing with the same misunderstanding of hurricanes in Florida. We live seventy miles north of Tampa on the coast. As I expected from experience interpreting the projected storm track, we have no damage, flooding, loss of power, cable or communications.

Use this link to find information on your cruise. https://www.porttb.com/

I immediately picked up on it, but I just couldn't go there. Sometimes it is best to just let a outrageous fallacy alone and assume that the majority of us recognize it for what it is.

OP's Post number 4 says "the company selects the stateroom." In any case, as a new booking, the OP would pay the current fare for the cabin.

There is nothing unfair about it. He booked under a guaranteed solo cabin rate and as so often happens, received a cabin in different category. The solo cabin assignment was made to him under the provisions of a guaranteed rate. As a new passenger, you now wish to select a more expensive cabin category under a different fare schedule and offering than what he booked under. Of course one would be charged the current fare for the new booking. Please read the readily available information on the MSC website regarding changes in reservations.

Something else to check for any ship above the theater. Check the deck plans carefully. If there are blank spaces for one or more decks above the stage area of the theater, the space is the stage flies. Sound will carry up and will be audible in cabins with cabin walls on the space.

Whether dividers between balconies can be opened or not is a decision made by the captain. You can always asked, but may be told no.

The usual rule on any cruise line that I have sailed is that the age you are when you embark is the age you are for the entirety of the cruise. Do not be surprised if you are told no.

Like any other cruise, it depends on the time of year and the itinerary. If you cruise when schools are closed, there will be a passenger population that has a good percentage of teachers and professors enjoying a child free environment. I personally enjoyed the variety and quality of food on Viking.

I was twenty five on my first Celebrity (Chandris) cruise. I am fortunate enough to now be in my seventies, in good health, and still cruising.

Get on the MSC website and read the information on passenger behavior. It is not tolerated on MSC.

What may also affect the availability oaf a view in the position in the sun and if it is blinding people as the light comes through the windows. If so, drapes may be drawn to stop the glare.

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.