tnt10

Fog can most definitely be an issue!  We were scheduled to depart on a cruise out of Venice in November, and were instead bused 2 hours away!      Not an ideal way to begin a cruise....

I would stay an extra night in Venice if I could not get a later flight out...  Why stress and ruin an otherwise nice cruise??

Happy Cruising

17 hours ago, Gordoncruickshank said:

I think everyone needs to be aware that anything that any crew member tells you about tips is going to be slanted towards maximising the potential rewards rather being a straight up, honest answer. 

Agreed!!

8 hours ago, LauraBCruizer said:

I can only go by what I've been told & I personally just got off a 17 night YC sailing & was told by the Concierge, guest services in the main area of the ship & management pre cruise that Butlers were specifically not included.  I asked for a breakdown of the DSC by the Concierge and was told it was essentially for those we "dont see" who are behind the scenes.   This was less than a week ago.  This has been repeated to me multiple times and on multiple ships in YC over the years since we always want to make sure we are doing the right thing (because we too saw what's listed on the website).... My husband ONLY tips for outstanding service and he is usually chasing the different Butlers & servers in YC down to thank them properly... 

So, according to this, the DSC would not cover your waiter, asst. waiter or housekeeper, since they are not "behind the scenes."

Doesn't make much sense when you look at it this way, does it?

Just sayin'!!

Thanks for the info-packed reply princeton123211.

Very much appreciated!!

Hi Everyone,

We will be traveling on the Transatlantic Meraviglia September 2020, arriving into Manhattan port on Sept 21, staying overnight, and departing the ship on Sept 22, 2020.

We will be Yacht Club guests, so assuming (I know-could be bad!) we will be the first off on the 22nd.

What time is suggested for a return domestic  flight out of EWR on Sept 22?  This will be a Tuesday.

Is 12:00 noon too early?

Thanks for all your help.  I'm hoping since the ship will be in port on the 21st, and we will be departing on the 22nd, that may be a good thing??

Advice please.

Thanks to all you experienced cruiser!!

And there is always room service...

So are butlers receiving tips already?  And we are discussing tipping additionally??

Thx

2 hours ago, rattanchair said:

Dear FF,  No, please do not misinterpret my post, you are too fine a poster. We all love different things. We never waited on any cruise line booking suites. DW requested a broiled chicken breast every night for dinner. Me , I am happy to try anything on the menu. Special requests for something as simple as a broiled chicken breast took 2 hours. I think the chef is trying to tell us, please nothing special, even if we request it in advance...

 P.S. Well on second thought , we were asked to wait for a dinner on a RCCL cruise in the Coastal Kitchen with a standing reservation in an Owners Suite.. But I attribute that to NSPP , non-suite pinnacle passengers who are given priority...

The NSPP are one of the reasons we have given up on Royal, after 20 years of sailing with them.  Even as a Royal Suite guest, they (rarely in a suite), are given preference over suite pax... Onto other cruiselines!!

Happy Sailing!!

Quick question, as I am new to MSC and the YC, are the butlers tipped separately from the auto tipping/service charges?  Or are we discussing additional tips to the recommended, auto-tips?

Thanks

6 hours ago, G.M.T. said:

I think you trying to save in the wrong area, you are spending €€€000 on a cruise and trying to save about €25.

 

Taxi cost from Hamburg Airport to cruise terminal is about €42.50.

 

The problem with S-Bahn, could be travelling in the rush hour, trains full, changing trains having to use stairs to get to other platform.

 

Why the stress you are on holiday, taxi cost is 3 cocktails.🍹

 

Here you can check yourself the taxi cost:

 

https://www.hamburg.de/taxirechner/

Thank you for this link!!! I was looking at a couple of trips, (one from HAM to Lubbeck, another from Lubbeck to Kiel).  

And you are correct-with luggage, we don't want to be schlepping luggage up and down stairs to make connections.... have to admit getting too old for that.

Thanks again!

Thank you AlanF65 and gnome12!

After backing out of the page was able to see my name,

then was able to use the "search this forum".  

Don't know how useful this function really can be until you're unable to use it!

Thanks again for your patience

Tim

Thanks for the help, I am using a desktop computer.
First problem, I don't even see my screen name in the upper right of any screen??

And then what bar are you referring to?  

Sorry, but I am trying, and am clicking on everything to try and get to the screens and verbage described above, but no luck so far....

Thanks

Sorry, but still horribly confusing, as I couldn't find any of those drop down options in any of my searches....

Sorry to hear that... All I can say is I just give my TA the info on the cruise and stateroom, and ask what they can do for me. was a little surprised myself.  Have done business with this particular agent/agency for several cruises, so that may be the difference?

Sorry everyone, new to MSC.  Wasn't sure if they had stricter guidelines than other cruise lines.

(Just like some foreign airlines are stricter than domestic carriers...)

Thanks!

Please be sure to check with your cell phone carrier and with online articles to make sure everything is as you hope /believe it will be, and to avoid any extra charges....

Sorry CarolnLarry,

After re-reading MSC's info, appears the limitations are only enforced on certain Grand Voyages, see below:

"Guests are encouraged to limit their checked luggage to two suitcases per person (not exceeding 90x75x43 cm in size and 23 kg in weight per bag), and two pieces of hand luggage per person (not exceeding 56x45x25 cm in size and 23 kg in weight per bag).
On all MSC Grand Voyages to/from The Caribbean, South America, South Africa and The United Arab Emirates, the above mentioned guidelines represent the maximum limit allowed per person. In any case, the maximum amount of luggage in each cabin must not exceed 100 kg and/or 8 pieces among all passengers in the same cabin. Any piece of luggage exceeding the allowance will not be accepted at Check-In. Guests intending to exceed these limits are invited to contact MSC Cruises directly or via their travel agents at the time of booking for information on how to ship luggage in excess of the free luggage allowance separately via freight or cargo, at an additional charge."

Looks as if you and the wife are safe...

I use a TA because I always get OBC and/or pre-paid gratuities.

Just booked a $10,000 YC suite for next fall, was received $1,000 OBC, no hassles.

Takes a little of the sting out of the cruise costs....

Happy Cruising!!

Here is what I did on my last cruise:

Before I left home, downloaded the app, "What's App"

(This allows texting between others who have the app. using only wi-fi)

Kept my phone in "Airplane Mode" throughout my trip, from the time I boarded my intercontinental flight until I landed back on US shores.

Used wi-fi only on the ship and in foreign ports/cities.  

I have unlimited data, so that was never an issue.

YMMV

Hope this helps...

There are many article on the web about avoiding extra cell phone charges when traveling overseas, I suggest you read a few of them.

Happy cruising!!

No joke, I wish.

Here is the link, under Before You Go, then Luggage

https://www.msccruises.com/en-gl/Manage-Your-Booking/Before-Departure.aspx

I really wish there was a search feature for each cruiseline on CC like there used to be....

Does anyone know if MSC really enforces their baggage policy on Grand Voyages (repo cruises)??

I've never had a problem with luggage, and I've always carried up to 3 bags per person,and up to 70 lbs. each.  MSC is saying 200 lbs. of luggage per stateroom max.   Never dealt with this before.

Has anyone else here??

Thanks

I save my policy as a pdf file, and e mail it to myself.

That way if I need it on a trip, I can log into my email account and see or print out the the policy if needed.  I do print out the pages with the phone numbers and policy number for quick reference...

Hope this helps...

Am currently waiting a reply from MSC Voyager Club regarding status match.

Sent info 2 weeks and 1 day ago.....

Will let you know when I hear back.

Happy Cruising,

TnT

Hi all,

How do you do a search under a specific heading?  I saw one for all of the boards, but can't you do one under say, MSC Cruises?  Haven't figured out these boards since the newer format??

Thanks

7 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

Missing a flight home can be stressful. I once missed a connecting flight from Milan to Paris and had to spend the night in Paris unexpectedly. Somehow dinner at a friend's local bistro and several glasses of wine managed to assuage my disappointment. 😄

Very humorous, if after the fact...

Glad you were able to turn a bad situation into a bearable one, lol!

Lesson learned.