bobstheboy

Travel agents in the UK are no longer allowed to discount cruises! another unlevel playing field in my opinion, I have around six to eight agents that i usually get prices from and everyone comes up with the same figures regardless of cruiseline you are wanting to book.

An online cruise agent is selling a 10 night cruise and stay on 2nd December from Tenerife ( 3 night stay followed by 7 nights cruise on the Armonia) for £499. The MSC has the cruise for £599, so how is that done if what you say is true ?

Is RCI expensive, considering getting their drinks package, which is £34 a day. Just because we will be on the ship 5 days sailing

And sun bathing probably enjoying mock cocktails

 

 

 

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Why don't you ask on their forum ?

The word is that cruise bookings are up across the industry - then they need to be given the huge increase in capacity in recent years.

 

Observing MSC UK of late is a like taking a degree course in marketing. It is painful. They clearly intend maintaining high fares but soften the hit with all manner of 'special offers', each designed to appeal to a different set of prospective bookers. 'Free' car parking doesn't do it for me - I don't drive. I don't want flights included - I use Avios and travel with 'proper' airlines with lie-flat seats and free food and drink. OBC is the most valuable offer as there will always be a tab to pay.

 

However, as one of those who treats any cruise like an ocean liner crossing, I don't particularly care about the itinerary and this gives me much more flexibility when looking to book. MSC have not tempted me in the least since booking the last cruise with them - the 9 night Suez passage via Turkey and Greece to Venice which was annoyingly switched to a repo from the Canaries albeit with an extra night added. That was booked a year in advance at a cost of £250 less Club discounts with sole-occupancy of an inside, and because of the mess-up we received £175 plus €150 OBC each. That was a good deal!

 

So you see fares of £599 each for two sharing are never going to appeal, £50 pp OBC or not. MSC's 'bum is out of the window'.

Agree with your comments.

I am still optimistic that I will get my bargain, they certainly will not get anywhere near the money out of me that they want now !!

I could get an outside for the 14 nights for £479 pp. I want a balcony but am tempted.

I cannot name the company because it sells to the travel trade and some deals are available to "friends and family" of travel trade employees, and a good friend is such an employee. This price has only just been released so I am hoping a balcony deal will come later.

I wouldn't book on the UK site at the current prices. Do they think people won't check or find out this price difference ?

It will be a bargain for me or nothing.

In short, don't hold your breath. My feeling is that MSC would rather sail with empty cabins than compromise their new marketing strategy. Talk of cutting off one's nose to spite the face....

If it comes off - great, if not we have a couple of weeks in Tenerife, in the sun, pre Xmas, so either way I won't be in tears !!

Hi Skier

Thanks for your good wishes !

I see by your listings that you like cruising. It is our favourite holiday and have just had a count up and have done 26 on 8 different lines, MSC will be our 9th if it comes off.

As for bargains, they were are well below brochure price but the best has to be 28 nights on the Sunbird ( now with Thomsons). 14 nights form Majorca to Barbados and 14 nights around the Caribbean, AI £800 !! We also got the Norwegian Jade, 14nights from Southampton around the Med for £500, so I am used to bargain hunting.

I'd say MSC are hoping there'll be a take-up on the current offers before reducing the prices further. If you're not too concerned about having a specific cabin in a particular location you'd be right to wait and see.

 

Having said that, I've noticed that the sale prices for winter cruises overall are dearer than previous years. Also the "included drinks package" is usually the Cheers one which I would have no interest in and unfortunately MSC doesn't allow an upgrade to Allegrissimo for the difference.

I'm sure you are right that MSC are hoping for more early bookings than last year when some early cruises were only about two thirds full according to reports I have heard. The Cheers package is not for me either, it's got to be the Allegrissmo.

I'm confident that there will be last minute deals on the cruise I want, just before Xmas is always a good time for a bargain and as long as it is a balcony at a good price I am not worried where it is.

The prices last year for the Canaries cruise in December were very cheap, particularly at the last minute. In preparation for a bargain this December, I have booked my flights to Tenerife for 5th - 19th, so if the prices are too good to miss, I have my flights booked. I see MSC are promoting this cruise and giving incentives but they still not as cheap as they were last year when a balcony could be had for £249 pp pw. If the prices don't meet my expectations there is always accommodation available in Los Cristianos !

Anyone else out there that does similar ?

It is written in the conditions of sale somewhere at the back of the brochure (Belgian edition), my TA told me that this could happen but the chances are almost none. You are 'supposed' to read the conditions.:o

John

I ask a question, but then again I was "Supposed" to read the conditions, my bad. Sarcastic replies were not required thank you.

I have just read on a competitors forum that passengers were made to change cabin , on board MSC Opera during a cruise. They had booked a late deal and had to move cabins to allow other passengers to occupy it. They were not informed of this requirement before the cruise and I have cruised many times on late deals and never experienced it or heard of it.

Anyone know of this practice by MSC ?

No you cant share, just like all the other lines.

Princess and Celebrity do allow one person in a cabin to purchase the deal, but of course no sharing.

Maybe it is more the lack of deodorant then, but some of the shirts smelt of stale BO like they need a wash, it was very off putting, and it has been a problem on Oceana and Azura.

Speaking from my experience, having been on 20+ cruises with many cruise lines, I have never had this problem and I have a good nose. Just back from the Ventura and all the staff were very smart and "smell friendly" !!

Back last week from a two week cruise on the Ventura. A large percentage observed the dress code on formal nights but there were still a considerable minority who obviously couldn't care less and walked around the bars and sat in the theatre in very casual clothes, some of which I wouldn't have worn on the upper deck during the day.

I enjoyed not having to wear a jacket and tie on 10 out of the 14 nights but an effort on the other 4 night is not too much to ask.

Johnsanders Thank you, very helpful.

Smileon Who knows what future prices will be. We were going to wait until later this year but decided to book the Ventura departing this Wednesday at £679 for 14 nights, only an inside, but we don't mind, for that price with flights, it's a steal.

Slightly different question. What time do they want you off the ship if you have a late flight back. Can you stay on board until mid afternoon ?

 

I have seen guests who don't know how to use a knife and fork and find that reprehensible. Each to their own.

I did laugh when I read that - but I am English !!

Tim

Your comments are always well thought out and very welcomed.

I agree with your comments on inside cabins. Being retired and having no ties re dates, we always look for bargains which have included most cabin grades over the years. An inside never bothers us, although I would be lying if I said we haven't enjoyed a nice balcony if the price is right.

MSC are like all cruise companies and will discount if there are plenty of empty cabins near to a sail date. We are hoping to take our first Msc cruise in December on the Armonia around the Canaries and again are hoping the price will be similar to last year when a suite cost £249 for a week.

Many thanks to Tim and Maira for their blogs, really enjoyed the read and looking forward to our cruise on the Armonia later this year.

Many thanks for the live review, very enjoyable !

We are planning on a 14 night Canary Isles cruise late November early December this year. Hoping that the price will be similar to last year when you could get a Junior Suite for £249 a week, plus flights, on a last minute deal.

Looking forward to the next instalment.

I'm so sorry you're uncomfortable when I put on a $300 silk Tommy Bahama camp shirt and pressed bermuda shorts to walk around in sticky wet 85 degree nights on our Caribbean itineraries.

 

I too was similarly uncomfortable poolside on a European line at the pool all day with the hairy backed, plus sized Euro-men squeezed into banana hammocks designed for 12 year old boys. That and the 75 year old ladies who think they need to expose the "twins" for a bit of sunshine at the pool. No matter how much oil gets slathered on those things, they aren't going to re-inflate.

 

But I just sat back, closed my eyes chuckled.

So pleased you can afford expensive casual clothes - very nice ! Never been on an A/C ship below decks during the evening when it has been 85 degrees. On deck for a deck party was it ? Totally different situation.

As for the poolside description - totally agree, but again during day so not the same situation - must try harder.

Ok, you are not comfortable with that, and from what you've said, and what others here have stated what they've seen on the Divina, casual outside the dining room on Formal night is acceptable by the cruise line, and most people like it that way!

So you accept it, or cruise with someone else!

I certainly will !

I have many friends who come from the USA, they are certainly my kind. My point is that from my experience in the Caribbean, it is the USA passengers who like to change after dinner into very casual clothes and I am not comfortable with that. I have heard your compatriots complaining about this issue as well.

Shoot me then. I was and many others did not have jackets. This is a warm ship, and they will not deny you service. and this ship is based in the USA, not over seas now, and they need to compete with the market here.

One of the reasons I will not cruise the Caribbean on ships with mostly USA passengers. I like to be comfortable but shorts and often baseball caps during the evening - NO.

We have been on many cruises and my wife is a poor sailor. She has one Stugeron every 8 hours and it works very well and she doesn't get drowsy. The mistake people make is waiting for rough weather and the sickness starting before taking a tablet. She has one a couple of hours before sailing time and doesn't stop until the last evening.