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stephenp

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    What drinks package upgrade discount have you got?

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    33 minutes ago, Beamafar said:


    Can I assume you’re in Ireland?  If so, how did you avail of the 6.60?   The app is showing €16.64 pp (I believe I’ll get 15% discount for being Elite if I ring X)

    Hello,  no in Germany,  it was around Christmas time they had a super offer, we were lucky 

    the day we booked the old All incl. was valid, we got a V2 all Incl for € 1650 each, 2 days later it was over € 2000 more, then the All incl. was reduced to drinks and wifi.

    Our OBC was 400 US.

    We booked and on the 16th flying to Orlando.

     

    Happy cruising.

     

    Stephen

     

      

    YC The One Pool Buffet

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    Hi, we were on the Euribia in October 23,  sailing out of Hamburg.

    The ship, cabin and Butlers were just super. 10 out of 10 !!!!!

    The food was mostly less than OK.

    The YC Buffet, the food was always cold, the meat tough and nearly every day the same salads and pastries.

    Breakfast was much better in the buffet if you were there before 7.30AM, and Lunch again if  early, ok otherwise a circus. 

    Dinner was nothing special, the Italian managers and head waiters were at times unfriendly when

    you complained the meat was tough or cold. For them everything wa just perfect.

     

    The prices they were charging in October for north sea sailings were far too expensive.

    The food was a huge let down.  

    My last cruise with MSC.

     

    happy cruising

    Stephen     

    Celebrity All in One drinks Package

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    It used to be called  All Inclusive, which included  drinks, tips, wifi and OBC.

    I got a good deal on the 22.4.24  TA on the Silhouette.

    Cabin price € 3308 Euros for a V2 Balcony.  incl. the above  with 400 US OBC.

    I used this to upgrade my drinks and wifi.

     

    These prices are long gone  !!!!!!

     

    Just got lucky I guess.

     

    happy cruising 

     

    Stephen 

    Anyone been on yacht club

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    Just came back from 1 week on MSC Euribia.

    The ship is beautiful and new, although many things were broken od did not work as they should.

    Cabin was very nice, and well laid out, with more store room than you will ever need.

    you also hear nothing from outside.  The YC service is mostly outstanding, your butlers are just wonderful.   The food is just OK. The buffet on deck 19 is very small,  and the food mostly cold.

    This ship is not built for the north sea in the  winter months. there is no roof on the YC upper deck,  so when it rains the whole deck is wet through. In winter it will be too cold to use this deck. Last week October 8th the wind was too strong to sit outside. 

    Dining room food was also ok, portions very small  but you can order more. The meat quality is very poor,  steaks and pork tough, many quests complained altough the Italian head waiters believe everything is just perfect. We had a little sea sway on the last night, on both decks 16 & 18   the wine fridges flew open and many bottles were broken, who knows what will happen when the north sea is angry in JAN - March.  

    Would I sail with MSC YC again, no it way over priced for what you get.  Also the rest of the ship is just mayhem at times, loud and very over crowded.

     

    happy cruising 

    Stephen 

    MSC discriminating solo cruisers?

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    On 9/4/2023 at 5:24 AM, goldrusher said:

    MSC is refusing to allow a single to book a cabin on their ships.You can go on and book a cruise and there are lots of cabins available, but then backup and change the  passenger to one and  it says no cabins available!!!   It will not let you boo a cabin even  if you pay double the rate!!!!  Have heard they want more people on board to buy drinks and spend money,  We usually book 7-9 cabins and one s a single with the others with 2-3 in a cabin and many are 1 or 2 cruises from black status..  If they will  not allow singles, they will lose all our bookings for the other cabins.   Shame on you MSC   Looks like discrimination!

     I can book a single cabin in most cat. even the YC for October 8th and 15th sailings  on the Euribia with no problems, the fare is high

    but bookable.

     

    happy cruising

     

    Stephen

     

      

    Who pays for this kind of AI?

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    Not all Celebrity  AI cruises are expensive.

     

    We booked the Silhouette´s 17th April 2024  13 night TA from FLL to Amsterdam in a V2 balcony

    for Euros 3308   + 400 USD  OBC  for the 2 of us.

     

    I think that was a great deal.

     

    Happy cruising

     

    Stephen

     

       

    Ravenna Cruise Shuttle

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    3 minutes ago, stephenp said:

    Hallo,

    on our last cruise from Venice we drove down from NRW, stayed overnight and parked the car next to the ship, the last morning by 8,15 am we were long gone bofore the traffic started.

    happy cruising

    Stephen

     

     

     

    Mafia style baggaging in Miami RCI terminal?

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    On 3/28/2023 at 11:57 PM, Pellaz said:

     

    If you're trying to go to other ports to avoid the "Teamsters" or (more accurately) the ILA or ILWU longshoremen, you are totally S.O.L.  Every cargo and cruise port in the U.S. is controlled by either ILA (East) or ILWU (West).  

    Having said that, there are ports where they might be more or less aggressive in "soliciting" tips than at others...and PortMiami may well fall under the former category.  🤷‍♂️

    Maybe true,  I just avoid Miami at all costs, Cruise Terminal and Airport from past trips

    Miami  was to us a very unfriendly place.  Just my choice thats all !!!!!     

    THE WORST CRUISE I'VE TAKEN and the RESPONSE FROM MSC.

    in MSC Cruises

    Posted

    17 hours ago, scorpiony3358 said:

    On the recommendation of my TA I booked the inaugural cruise on the MSC Seascape from Rome to NYC. I am a seasoned cruiser with over 30 cruises under my belt, but never had I sailed with MSC. This cruise left Rome on November 19th. 

    I sent the following letter to MSC and my TA sent her own. 

     

    My name is                      and I'm contacting you directly because my travel agent has not received a response from you regarding my sailing on the inaugural cruise of the MSC Seascape from Rome to New York November 19, 2022 - December 6, 2022.

     
    This was my first cruise with MSC taken on the recommendation of my travel agent. I've previously cruised on Regent, Silversea, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Princess, NCL and Oceania since 1999. 
     
    I'll begin by saying the Seascape is a beautiful ship and even though it was an inaugural cruise I was shocked by how poor for the most part your services were. I will go down point by point why I am taking the time to notify you of my dissatisfaction.
     
    Prior to embarkation my Travel Agent requested that I have an extension cord and distilled water for my CPAP machine plus a disposal container for my needles. Upon entering my cabin 12258 I found a letter stating I needed to go to the customer service desk. I went to the desk 4 times before I was handed the extension cord. I had to return 4 more times and finally spoke with the head of the department who personally brought me the distilled water on two separate occasions. The disposal container was brought after my second visit. This was a total waste of my time having to wait in a long line each time only to be told it was being taken care of. 
     
    Thank God that there was not an emergency because your safety drill was very disorganized. 
     
    Prior to booking this cruise both my travel agent and I asked about a cigar smoking lounge and was told that the Seascape had one. This was an out and out lie. The smoking areas for the most part were for the most part wide open spaces which were very inconvenient. No cover for rain and no barriers to break up the wind except in one location. 
     
    The bar service in the smoking locations was very inconsistent. 
     
    As this was not my first transatlantic cruise I was shocked at the TV channel selection. The excuse given was total BS. You did have the World Cup which was great except the feed in my cabin was not in English, but was in English in the sports bar. Your movies were pay per view which should have been free since your TV went dark for at least 5 days. Only 3 English speaking channels 2 were business and one was sky news. All other channels were in different languages. I understand that there are people from many countries then you should have more channels available. 
     
    When there finally was TV available the channel selection was poor at best! 
     
    The buffet was probably the worst I've ever had on over 30 cruises that I've done. Whoever heard of no ice cream except at 4pm. None available with lunch or dinner. Granted you wanted to sell overpriced Gelato.  Your selection and layout was also terrible. I did enjoy your pizza. 
     
    Regarding the food in the restaurant, I'm used to much better quality and a wider selection. 
     
    I pre purchased the specialty restaurant package and I stated that I didn't eat Mexican food and I was told no problem to switch to another restaurant. I switched to Teppanyaki and was charged  $73.60. The food was great. I also ate in the steakhouse which was also very good. 
     
    Regarding pre-paying for the specialty restaurants and the drink package both charges were not taken off of my $500 on board credit which was not told to me when I was charged. I could have purchased both packages while on board. I was given a $100 additional credit by your head of customer service, but still I had $311.40 that was not spent. That I feel is being taken advantage of and I expect a refund.  
     
    As a former music industry executive, I will also say that the main theater shows were mediocre except for the Flamingo guitarist. Your major shows were all basically the same with different songs and costumes. The dancers were very talented, but only 2 of the 4 main singers were good. 
     
    The other performers in the main theater like the magician I wouldn't hire for a children's party. The female singer on stage was lost without a live band. The soprano sang songs normally sung by tenors. 
     
    I met with the cruise director and gave him my thoughts. On other transatlantic cruises there is usually a band performing at the pool daily or in a lounge. Not on this cruise. Also the music at the pool would be playing while in the smoking area the music would also be playing which was terrible. 
     
    The jazz group in the loft was ok, but they alternated with a solo performer who wasn't very good. 
     
    Your dueling piano singers voices didn't blend very well on most songs they performed. Since I live in Las Vegas I'm used to seeing many different dueling piano acts. 
     
    I can go on, but there are other issues I have like in ports there would always be a free shuttle but not with MSC. Also docking locations were poor. In Madara it was a 2 mile walk and in Barcelona on my last cruise I walked off the ship and was at the beginning of Las Ramblas.
     
    I've been on an inaugural cruise and there is something given out to commemorate the occasion. MSC gave nothing!
     
    In closing I am giving MSC the opportunity to right the wrongs of my trip and expect to receive compensation for my trip. 
     
    Sincerely, 
     
     
    Now the response I received from MSC 
     
    Good Afternoon 

    First, please allow me to apologize for the length of time your request has taken for us to respond to you.

    Thank you for sharing your candid comments about your experience onboard our ship. We take your comments very seriously and appreciate your taking the time to share them with us.

    We  understand that the problems you pointed out could detract from that enjoyment and sincerely regret if your cruise did not meet your expectations.

    Surveys are sent randomly. You may not get one after each sailing however you can always email us your feedback. and we will be happy to review for and do our best to resolution your grievances.

    At MSC Cruises, customer satisfaction is our primary goal, we are committed to offering our guests the best possible vacation experience and your comments will help us do that. We truly appreciate your patronage and hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back onboard.

    Sincerely,

    Chase

    MSC Customer Service
     
    I did respond to Chase and as of today have not received a response. The fact that not one of my issues were addressed in his response is totally unacceptable. I would not have posted this except for the fact that MSC didn't address me directly and in my opinion Chase just blew me off. 
     
    I hope that all who read this understand that as a customer we are entitled to direct answers. I realize that MSC wants our business, but in my opinion this cruise line should treat it's customers with respect. Customer service is what drives all business and MSC needs to understand that. 
     
     
    Wow what a super cruise !!!  , I have sailed once  about 10 years ago on MSC Magnifica, 
    the worst cruise ever. Food was dreadful, service the pits,  just to mention 2. 
    In my over 80 cruises so far this is one is holding the rest up. The cabin was nice ( the only thing ).
    I have a MSC booked in October in the YC.  Who knows ?????
     
    Happy cruising
     

     

     

    Price change in 48 hours

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    Hi fellow cruisers,

     

    on the 21st December I booked the C. Silhouette´s 22.4.24  13 night Transatlantic  crossing.

    A V2 Balcony with the All INC Bogo75  for 2 Pax  for Euros 3308.

     

    Today 2 days later it costs  Euro 5113  for the same cabin. 

     

    Crazy pricing don´t you think !!

    Happy cruising

     

    Stephen

     

    Happy cruising

     

    Live from Jewel of the Seas Transatlantic 2022

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Deeliteful said:

    Hello cruisers!

    I thought I would attempt a live review of my forthcoming Transatlantic Cruise on the Jewel of the Seas which leaves Barcelona on Tuesday 25/10.

     

    Now I know that I am going - Covid test done by Zoom this morning and NEGATIVE! Thank goodness - I am now officially in holiday (vacation) mood.

     

    Today will be all about finishing off packing, I always pack too much, ensuring all my documentation is ready and getting some sleep.

     

    I have a taxi booked for 3 a.m. to get me to Leeds Bradford airport for my 6 a.m. flight to Barcelona - one of my favourite cities.

     

    I am staying at the Ikonik Hotel on Las Ramblas and have booked a sunset catamaran jazz cruise for 6 p.m. tomorrow. Before that I aim to just mooch around, eat, drink and buy some flowers for my cabin.

     

    I will obviously update you on that tomorrow.

     

    I have a spacious balcony cabin on deck 9, I am travelling solo and I just love a Transatlantic cruise - hope you will join me virtually to see and hear how it all goes.

     

    Cheers 

     

    Pat

    Hello,

     

    enjoy it !!    we had to cancel this week as both Covid positive after a family visitor was positive and did not know it.   Had to cancel everything, hope you get a smooth crossing  !!

     

    Stephen   

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