alyssamma

No worries...tangents happen. Some people just take this stuff more seriously than others. You got your answer in the first few posts...it was a good question...

Completely incorrect. *All* income is reportable. And I didn't go on this tangent...was responding to someone who did.

And make sure you declare that $10 casino win also 🙂 And don't go even 1mph over the speed limit...

Exactly my point 🙂 I was giving extreme examples to illustrate that 🙂 I think we agree...

Might have a double post.... You misunderstand me completely. I'm not telling anyone to *not* declare stuff. I was just wondering why you would since they just wave you through. You want to declare, feel free...I have zero problems with that. My point was really directed to your "conscious" comment. And there I was saying that people justify "breaking the law" all the time, while being critical when others do it. If you drive 1 mph over the speed limit, you're breaking the law. If you don't declare that $10, you are breaking the law. Obviously these are *very* different than more serious crimes. If your conscious bothers you by not declaring then it should when driving 1 mph over, or not declaring that $10...

Not so. The *casino* needs to report winnings over $600. You have to report *everything*. Per the IRS... You must report all gambling winnings on Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR (use Schedule 1 (Form 1040)PDF),

If you win $10 in the casino do you declare that on your taxes? So that you have a clear conscious...

I think you misunderstood me. How would you possibly be caught if no one even asks you the question? They just wave you through... Or maybe you understood perfectly 🙂 We can just agree to disagree on this one 🙂

Agreed...not sure why you would even mention something to declare if you had to. Like you said, facial or just a wave through without questions.

LMAO, did you even take a minute to try and search for this? As @Essiesmomsaid, a zillion threads on this. It's hard to say generically because everyone is different. Personally, I never use my butler (other than to ensure I have a pizza waiting for me in my room every night), but others use them extensively. There are a lot of other perks too beyond the butler...the MSC website mentions them...you can see if they appeal to you. I will say you can go inside cabin for half the price...it may be more worth it to you that way.

I had quit sailing MSC, but for reasons out of my control find myself on 2 future bookings. I really, really wish I didn't read your post. Not sure what I'd do if there were roaches in my room. The rest of the stuff is horrible by itself, but the roaches are just too much. And please, please, please no people posting about how they saw roaches on their ships too. Let me remain blissfully informant please 🙂

It's actually a little more complicated than that...that's why I pointed the OP to the T&C. It depends on when you make the change (there may or may not be a fee), and the change has to be within a certain timeframe. Ditto with cancellation. Depending on the reason, the deposit may be refundable. He's an except as an example: The Company may, in its sole discretion, waive the fees mentioned in this Section 13 if in the Company’s determination the cancellation is due to Force Majeure circumstance occurring at the place of destination or its immediate vicinity and which Force Majeure circumstance significantly affects the performance of the Cruise Package, or which significantly affects the carriage of Passengers to the destination.

As with ALL things MSC, YMMV. Any answers you get here may or may not work based on who you talk to, the phase of the moon, if mercury is rising, etc. But, section 13 here explains what you want.... https://www.msccruisesusa.com/-/media/us/documents/Booking-Terms-and-Conditions-221115-FINAL.pdf

As you know, we were on the same cruise. This is the first time I didn't see our attendant on day 1. In fact, I didn't meet him until day 6 (although my wife did on day 3). Like you, it took him forever to understand what we wanted, and he kept rearranging things we specifically put in certain places. Annoying, but didn't affect my cruise. First world problems for sure 🙂

YIN is a great alternative. If you are the type who likes to hang on the balcony eating breakfast, drinking coffee, etc., then not so much. But otherwise, those cabins can be half the cost of a deluxe. Also, you can upgrade when you get on the ship. My last cruise (Seashore, 7 day) I had a YIN and upgraded for $500 (total for 2 pax) to a deluxe when I checked in. But worst case, you're still in the YC 🙂 I have a YIN booked on the Seascape Jan 2024. I'll try to upgrade...either through a bid or once onboard, but if not, I'm fine with it. When I started sailing the deluxe cabins were reasonable, now they run $4500+. While this is still a *great* deal compared to Haven or Retreat, if I can be in the YC for half that price and just have to have a cabin with a crappy bathroom and no closet space, I'll take that. Beats steerage any day.

LOL, why is this upsetting you so much? The OP just said they didn't see anything in the T&C about this. If they did, they would be fine. But regardless, if they want to call MSC and try to get this done, who does it hurt? Can you post a link where it says this?

Thanks...but to be clear, this is an *ocean view* and not a balcony. I've seen the forward facing balconies on the Royal class and, like you said, they just have a warning. However, the ocean view on the Grand class have a sign specifically stating they are locked at sea and to call your stateroom attendant to get them unlocked when at port. See the 2nd post on this thread...

Thanks...I actually saw those pics. One has a "warning" that clearly states you can only use the balcony when in port. Are you saying you were able to use it when you were sailing? These rooms don't look "huge", just slightly larger than normal ocean view, which is why I asked about them. They are priced as a premium ocean view, so cheaper than balcony, but only slightly more than normal ocean view. My thinking, though, was because you can't go on the balcony (this is a cruise with a lot of sea days), it is essentially an obstructed ocean view. If that is the case, not worth paying extra for, unless they are significantly larger or something like that.

This I actually agree with, but I didn't otherwise fine the ship to be crowded. It's possible it sailed full with you and less so with me. I sailed right before covid hit, but still don't know how full it was.

Say it isn't so! Oh well, they've made lots of changes I know to YC perks, what you (no longer) get with the different experiences, and pricing, so I guess this makes sense...

OK, this makes sense. You are talking about the service when dealing with MSC...I agree completely and, honestly, had stopped cruising them but like Godfather 3 I got pulled back in to two upcoming cruises, but I swear I'm done after that 🙂 I thought it was the ship itself you didn't like.

What didn't you like about the Divina? I've been on that ship and personally love it. Great layout, good music venues, free wings in the sports bar, etc. To the OP, @reedprincess gave an excellent summary of MSC...I agree 100% with what they said.

Thank you very much for a detailed answer.

I haven't sailed Costa so can't help you there. But sailed a lot of MSC. Unfortunately I've only been in the YC. I can say that once you are onboard, it's a good experience, but very different from a traditional cruise. For example, shows tend to be short...30min or so...and focus on singing and acrobats. No real comedians unless it's slapstick. This is because of the many languages onboard... entertainment has to be something everyone can understand. I've eaten in the buffet a few times and found it to be average. The ships themselves are gorgeous and the pizza and gelato is great. Karaoke is big, at least on the US sailings. You can typically find good prices on sailings. As you alluded to, sailing from there will be mostly south American pax

For MSC, your experience will be vastly different between Yacht Club and non. Do you know what class you would be sailing in? I will also add that MSC customer service is probably the worst amongst the cruise lines.