claiream3

Hi all, on several of the Iona social media groups I've joined ahead of my cruise next month there is quite a lot of reports/photos/videos of water cascading over the side of the aft infinity pool trough on deck 16 and rendering some balconies below unusable - those on decks 12/11/10 with the last 3 digits of the cabin number ranging from 739-744 for example. P&O have dished out umbrellas to what look like lower decks underneath..... you're telling me P&O think its acceptable for us to have to sit holding an umbrella while relaxing on our balcony in the sunshine? I've also seen a video on a major video platform from a passenger in what I think is 14739 showing this, on a cruise right now in the Norwegian Fjords. I'm due to be in 14741. It will be our tenth cruise, but our first ever balcony. (Of all the balconies I picked - can you believe it. Granted we booked this cruise before her maiden voyage so we weren't to know this). Plus its the first time we have sailed with a child and part of the reason in booking the balcony was for the extra space outside. Appreciate its only water but there does look a lot of it when it comes over the side. There are few to none options to change as I've been on P&O to do a dummy booking and its more or less a full cruise. Was thinking of calling to voice my concern in advance and request my concern be noted on record on my account in the hope this and the complaints they receive allow them time to come up with a solution, or, do I play completely dumb and complain if it happens when on board and ask to be moved (on a full cruise!) or what?! I've heard of people been given £150 OBC as compensation but I'd just like a dry balcony when its not raining 🙄

Claire

my crusie goes on 21st May. i thought testing had been dropped so neber crossed my mind to organise a test before going. both of us are vaccinated/boosted - i thought this was enough these days!!? i've not had an email today from P&O - should i be expecting one?

hi all, I have no clue what the below wording means for Ionas 'chefs table'. On my account under the speciality dining section it says chefs table is included whereas all other options like Sindhu etc are additional charge as i'm experienced with. Previous formal nights have always meant to us that a bit of an 'upgraded' menu is served in MDR's at no extra cost with no need to book, so the wording here really confuses me. Is the 'celebration dinner' different to what is offered on 'black tie night' in MDR's? What is so different/special about chefs table?

"On selected Celebration Evenings aboard Iona, there’s a new way to enjoy all the black-tie gourmet glamour: at The Chef’s Table. In a dedicated area of the Horizon restaurant (suitably styled for the occasion), you’ll be served an exclusive menu; a culinary collaboration from three of our illustrious Food Heroes in one extraordinary meal.
Like the traditional Celebration Dinner, The Chef’s Table is included in the price of your holiday. You can book The Chef’s Table 14 days in advance of your cruise, reserving your preferred table size and dining time".

thanks in advance 🙂

2 hours ago, Cruiser Bruiser said:

Early seating was 19:30; late seating was 22:00. The majority of passengers were Italian and French. I think this was likely a normal-feeling time for them.

10... whoa! I'm on Bellissima week after next and have requested late sitting and have done without issue on each previous cruise however 10 feels late even for me (was expecting 9pm) - are all the MSC ships different WRT dining times and times can change cruise-cruise?!

claire

Hi all, its DH 40th birthday during our cruise. I've already prebooked/paid for a birthday cake that is showing on my MSC account. Is it worth letting them know directly in advance? Letting our cabin steward know once onboard.... Or not?!

I'm not 'yacht club' or 'black card' or a repeat MSC cruiser for info - so I'm guessing its not really worth it?

It annoys me how a couple of girlfriends have just landed in Mallorca at a relatively standard hotel and they're welcomed with a bottle of chilled fizz in the room all for a non-milestone birthday that was actually a week ago, so wondered about getting our ten-penneth worth for a legitimate occasion!

Any insight/experience appreciated as usual. For info we sail 2 weeks time and already have our E-ticket etc issued...

Have a great weekend,

Claire

Hi, not got a lot of weight in luggage so trying to put together a rough outfit plan around the laundry package I have purchased- on a 7 nighter from Barcelona (on Bellissima) that visits Marseille (night # 2), Genoa (night #3), Naples (night # 4), Messina #5 & Valetta # 6 - with Barcelona being my first night, which night does the 'White party' happen? would be also quite interested to learn of the 'elegant' night too please.

thanks in advance,

Claire

On ‎8‎/‎13‎/‎2019 at 8:00 PM, Beamafar said:

3)  Only water in the dispenser in the buffet will be available to you if you don't have a drinks package - you will only receive complimentary bottled water in the MDR.

 hi - is this true on Bellissima, in Europe, in MDR, with Fantastica 'class'? I'm reading so many different things: pitchers/jugs of iced water in MDR or none at all - you have to pay for all water (unless you have a drinks package)....

Thanks for the review. I have an MDR water question - we are fantastica (Bellissima next month but likely the same system) - I read a couple of threads up on the MSC board that iced tap water is given in a 'pitcher' at dinner - is this the case? Also thinking about a drinks package and maybe even now dropping down to the Easy package - was the 'sweet sparkling' OK? was there just the one choice of sparkling? any choice on red/white/rose wines?

thanks!

yes, interesting - the first thing I did was check your location. If they all have to go at the same time that's no problem - I'd rather know if they can go early on in the cruise, if anybody knows?

Thanks for your reply

Hi, never done a laundry package on a cruise before. I'm mainly interested in this service for ironing clean items in advance of wearing them after unpacking at the start of the cruise. The wording is below - they key word to query being "last". I ask: does this mean all 20 items have to go towards the end of the cruise or can I send 4 items on 5 separate occasions for example, during my week-long cruise?

"Max 20 items per cabin.Ideal for a seven-day cruise. This service enables you and the other occupants of your cabin to have your garments washed and ironed at any time during the cruise or even all together on the last day of cruise".

Any insight is appreciated - sailing Bellissima next month.

Claire

Thank you for replies so far. I’m looking at an Intercity leaving Rapello at 3pm for an all-aboard time in Genoa of 4pm- it’s showing the train taking 36 minutes. 

Claire 

Hi, due in Genoa for a port day on a Sunday in September and have all the options to get to/from Portofino by train & boat (going with an Intercity 3pm from Rapello taking 36 minutes).  I am a very organised person (early for my own wedding) but I'm asking as I'd like to learn of experience on how reliable the Italian 'Intercity' trains are (especially with it being a Sunday). I do plan on arriving back at the train station some 25 minutes before my all-aboard time with the dock being a short walk...

Any thoughts and experiences are welcome please.

Claire

Hi, due in Genoa for a port day on a Sunday in September and have all the options to get to/from Portofino by train & boat. My main question is how lenient/strict are MSC with their all-aboard (AA) times? On my itinerary it says sail time 5pm and all-aboard 4pm. On 8 previous cruises usually pax AA time has been 30 mins before sailaway with crew AA 1 hour before. I am a very organised person (I was early for my own wedding) but the reason I'm asking I suppose is coming down to the train times back to Genoa and how reliable their trains are (especially with it being a Sunday). I do plan on arriving back at the train station some 25 minutes before the AA time and understand the station is a short walk from the dock - if I were to arrive at the gangway at 4.05pm for example (due to a late running train for example) they'd let me on wouldn't they? (having been on cruises where I've witnessed stragglers way past the AA and even sailaway time....).

I find the MSC AA time's quite early in general and especially Genoa when there is likely going to be a number of locals joining the ship here....

Any thoughts and experiences are welcome please.

Claire

H, on my cruise personaliser there is the option to book a package of restaurants in advance. Can I just book the one once I am on board instead? I only really want to go to the steakhouse.... (or, is the MDR food that bad [read scary reviews on another section of cruisecritic] about really bad food, food poisoning, people going hungry meaning the extra-charge restaurants are sought after)...

Thanks in advance for any info.

Claire

Good morning. First thing - is anybody experiencing technical issues with MSC UK site and accessing their booking online? I have accessed my booking lately several times without issue by entering my name and booking # onto their website (the left hand side) and been able to add extras to my booking successfully in this way so far. Also via the app on my smartphone. Today I wanted to look at excursions etc so tried several times without success to enter the site or my app this way so attempted to 'register' on their site inputting an email address etc for the final process to say words to the effect of 'please check your email to click the link in the email to activate your account'. No email came through after countless refreshing of my inbox over a period of one hour. As this was seemingly the only way to access my booking I called MSC to check if I had possibly input my email address in error and the activation email went to an incorrect email address. From their telephone options I selected 'if you require support for our website' press 3. So long story short - the agent had zero clue what I was trying to say, in the end she advised I contact my travel agent (I booked via third party) to resend my confirmation email for the entire cruise (I have that since January 2019). I kept saying 'No, I cannot register on your website as MSC have not sent me the activation email'. She paused a lot of times and then put me on hold for a good 5 minutes, until she came back with 'if you try again in 24 hours MSC will have then sent the activation email'. 24 hours?!?!?!?!?! I'm quite shocked it will take them that long to send an email simply to activate my account. I was so shocked a) at her original lack of understanding (she was the web support option too) and b) how I now have to wait an entire day to access my cruise details. I didn't stay long on the call after that.

While searching for other topics via the MSC section of this forum I couldn't help notice posts such as 'MSC has poor customer service' or words to that effect.... is this really the case and the best they can do? 

Does anybody know how long the journey is roughly from Naples to Sorrento by this ferry service?

thanks!

Hi, first time on MSC (Bellissima) – so excited! Its DH special birthday while onboard so want to be as carefree as possible. We’re interested in the premium package and working out our likely quota per day per person if this will be better value for us. If I go without the package:- do MSC add 20% service charge on to individually purchased drinks on the ship? If I go with:- does the 20% get added anyway on if you have a package?

If I buy the package now in advance will the price likely change in advance of the cruise (September)? (guessing highly likely no).

Does the price of the package if purchased on board on embark day change? and is there 20% added on to that cost if purchased on board? (or if purchased now? )its £259pp – is that what we will pay now of we secure it now?

Thanks all!

This is very helpful for planning purposes - thank you Beamafar :-)

Hi, read an inaugural cruise review for Bellissima on this site that there was a cost of around 35Euro for a steak in Butchers Cut speciality restaurant - is this really the case? I can see on my cruise account there is the option of booking 3 restaurants in advance and paying I think around £72pp which I think is a good deal, however is it a good deal because once inside is each menu item then individually priced?

I've never known this on all previous cruises.

Thank you in advance

Same sentiments here Richnsoul. Will still be a good atmosphere I'm sure in Brodies for the final - Croatia for me. Admittedly the pressure is now off. England have done us proud. Enjoy the cruise!

Thanks to you all for the sympathy , support and news from elsewhere. Clair...we are a family of 6 (2 elderly ) on Cruise bus down from Bradford .. , I'll be armed with back up phone, portable battery, and transistor radio, in event of bus delays , P and O on board obstacles . For better or worse I signed up my hopes of England World Cup success way back watching Mexico 1970 and recommitted with each subsequent heart ache , let down and penalty shoot out agony. Hence my anxiety levels , Im resigned to missing street parties, endless analysis , decorating the house, silly celebration dances .. (well maybe not.!:-) ) Im thinking of making the Semi our 'Final' its way further than we might have hoped for . Anyone tempted to suggest ..its only a game might be missing the 'cheer factor' it seems to have brought people from all areas ,backgrounds , ages . Also Im in no way assuming Croatia won't be tough opposition Weds. Rich

It’s made my day that you’re on a bus too!!! Definitely shared anxiety here. Who knows we may even be on the same bus?? If we get to final I’ll be sticking a flag to the bus window. We will have the same backup plans. I wonder what the people in the roll-call think to this. I’m also of the same mentality with regard to Wednesday and treating this as the crunch match - I soaked up so much from yesterday’s parties in our town centre and recorded it all knowing I wouldn’t be around for the final. Hear’s to Wednesday and I’m sure this thread might pick up some activity if it’s a favourable result!

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Having agreed a booking on a 7 night family cruise to Gurnsey Spain,France sailing from Southampton on Sunday 15th bang on the KO time of a word cup final which .. whisper it .. could see England overturn 50 years of hurt , you might understand my anxiety levels rising with each successful stage. Id imagined we'd be out long before the final. A call to P and O and FB message to Sports 24 who appear to provide Travel Sports Services to some ships and planes , assures me we won't be missing out on the game for those eager to watch it . Before the ship sails at 6.00pm I understand they will pick up UK TV , to show in Brodie's Bar with big screen . My worst nightmare.. Extra Time and Penalties when we are leaving the Solent and any TV / Radio signal .. as Sports 24 don't have the game listed on their schedule !! Id welcome any sympathetic advice on this and look forward to joining anyone who hopes to start a holiday with a momentous sporting miracle. Its Coming Home.. !!

Richnsoul I’m fully feeling your anxiety here and seeing this post was greatly received . Of course nobody can get ahead of themselves until Wednesday night but if it’s our time we’ll also be having a quiet word with our coach driver to possibly avoid a couple of toilet stops on our journey from Darlington to Southampton that morning. My biggest fear in all this is the muster drill but surely that can’t happen until all passengers have boarded? I hope I’m not the only one making a call to P&O on Thursday morning - the more the merrier. Surely with it being a British ship we have a better chance of them making room for it than if we were boarding a Costa/MSC (Italian) company vessel for example. as I said to my husband and to quote Harper Lee: it’s not time to worry yet..... it’s going to be a long week!

Claire

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Good afternoon, before I ring P&O does anybody know what time Britannia sails on Sunday 15th July from Southampton? I'm on a coach transfer from the north with an anticipated arrival/embark time of 3pm. I'd be interested to know what time she sails and what time the muster drill is/is likely to be beforehand. Aside from the big sporting event happening that day :rolleyes: at that time and whoever is playing in it I'm just curious to know for several reasons.

Claire

Hi we travelled from Darlington in September and the coach to Southampton was a lap belt the return coach was a full seat belt

Both recent new coaches and clean and comfortable

Hope this helps

Enjoy your cruise

 

 

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hi Montesa3566, just booked a cruise on Britannia for July - first time we have done the coach. where was your pick-up point? we are from Darlington and thinking its Scotch Corner? how was the coach journey overall? how long roughly was it and how many stops? very interested to know just for preparation as imagine was a long day. also if you can give me idea the time you had to be ready? my hub is thinking 4am? I'm hoping not too extreme!

cheers,

claire

Hi all, thanks so much for taking the time to read my draftletter to NCL – I’m glad I posted it and grateful for all opinions - I didn't realise would cause such a stir!

I think the reason I want to send it is for my own sanity –a bit of closure after the event – we had to endure this with no other witnessso I feel my voice should be heard, even if it does sit in a file with noaction – I’m not expecting anything from NCL. They say ‘A problem shared is aproblem halved’. So with me writing it, it leaves my mind while knowingsomebody else has listened.

We did see the passengers in public several times followingthis night and they seemed close.I wish I knew if their drinks had been suspended.

I think perhaps no other action on the ship was requested byus due to it not wanting to interfere with our plans – we waited a long timefor this cruise and my one ‘bucket list’ thing was the Kennedy space centre soI feel that due to the timing and the need to repack before dashing for ourexcursion to KSC we didn’t want to have to deal with anything else negative onthe trip, and make the best of the time. DH was down with a heavy cold at thetime, so his energy wasn’t as best it could be – so the mentality we took was “Letsmake the best of it and file this for when we’re home. For now they’ve movedus, that’s the best we could have hoped for”.

It has maybe shocked me that I have never experiencedanything like this – land or sea. And maybe as security deal with this moreoften than we realise their urgency wasn’t the same as ours. But again we stillhad to go through listening to it all. I fully believe if there was a weapon itwould have been used hence my instinct to call 911 – this wasn’t something Icould just let go with some ear plugs in the hope they would eventually calmdown – those screams were chilling with her repeatedly shouting “Get off of me”and were clearly moving around the cabin at speed with various thingsfalling to the floor hence the thuds. what we also realised was they must have been right up against the wall where the main light switch was as that kept going as if someone was repeatedly switching the lights on and off.

The woman was lead into a wheelchair while wailing in distress andthen handed out cash to security - an on-the-spot-fine? for what I don't know. The man was asked if he wanted to make a statement butdeclined. This was what we heard through our cabin door while they were takenaround 5 metres away from the doorway almost around a corner but we could still see and hear.

As for being violent to eachother – without question. Toother pax – hence why we didn’t dare open our cabin door and why I certainlywouldn’t want to take them on with any form of negativity.

I’m going to send it (a shortened version), with thatbeing my way of moving on. It has been really helpful to learn that similarincidents have happened before; I guess if I posted this on a non cruiselinespecific forum under general questions it would be not limited to NCL.

With regard to recording on my phone, this was the onlything I had to ‘protect’ ourselves – somebody else needed to endure this otherthan me and DH and if we weren't able to be moved I at least wanted NCL to see what we had to put up with. I believe if there was a cabin the other side I would haveknocked on their door and maybe taken less care in recording. It all came downto chance and luck of the draw I suppose. I wasn’t recording during the time Iwas shaking and bawling, at certain times I was more composed than others.

What I’ve learned from this is that if I’m ever inthis situation again the following morning I will be seeking an official linefrom management on what actually has been done to prevent it happening again or where the pax are.

Maybe I’ve lead a sheltered life! I'm calling it therapy....

thanks again,

Claire