Mark_T

I'm afraid you have to get used to the inconsistencies in the MSC web site. Here is a different example from a cruise page... "The Easy Plus package covers all the above served in our bars, buffet, restaurants, speciality restaurants, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve as well our other exclusive MSC destinations. Cannot be consumed in signature venues (Venchi 1878 establishments or Jean-Philippe Maury venues, MSC Virtuosa Starship Club, MSC World Europa Coffee Emporium, MSC World Europa Raj Polo Tea Room). Valid for cruises of 7 nights and more." ... are you on a short cruise to Ocean Cay?

Having been on the other side of this sort of issue (not in the cruise world), once the vendor gets a dispute, they are not going to process a refund until the dispute is resolved one way or another. The risk is that they process a refund and then the dispute completes and the same amount is removed from their account even if it has already been refunded. The correct procedure should be for the card holder to cancel the incorrect dispute first, so if that has not already happened that would be my first move. There will be delays even then as the communication to the vendor of the cancelled dispute will not necessarily be immediate....

Well I guess it wouldn't be the first time that a cruise line has decided to make up their own version of the rules and apply it inconsistently... 🙂 The CBP position is as follows: "The United States regulation does NOT require a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) traveler to present a printed copy of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) authorization page in order to travel." They only recommend printing it so you have a record of the application number and the expiry date. The airlines all communicate directly with DHS to verify status so it will never be asked for at an airport. Easy enough to print a copy of the payment receipt which confirms approval and expiry date, but I can understand the frustration with the experience you had...

Odd to see them listing the ESTA as a required 'document' as it not issued as a document and is never required to be presented in documentary form...

If you look at the last line on the FAQ image above, it notes that the minor's package can be used as long as their family have either Easy Plus or Premium Extra...

The wording you have posted specifically references the 'Easy Package', which cannot be used in speciality venues. Easy Plus and Premium Extra can be used though... This is from the FAQ on the drink package page:

...or the protocols do not allow them to suggest that someone skips the drill before departure...?

Yet it is at least some preparation for what the reality would be like, unlike many of the other versions of the drill... Was it really '5,000' at the same time though? My recollection of the drill on Divina was that decks were called in sequence to spread the load...

This is another one of those variable factors from ship to ship it seems, and probably from cruise to cruise... We were certainly in the 'No need for Butcher's Cut' camp in June on Divina, we'll get to see if that is still true when we return to Divina in Feb...

At least part of your answer ...

Just count them going down and take the elevator up, nobody will ever know... 🙂

It really isn't, nothing there says 'browse & stream', and anyone who has booked YC can see in their booking details that it lists the following: 'Premium Internet package (Browse - 2 devices Unlimited Internet Package). Compared to some other lines 'browse' equivalent it is actually pretty good, but it is not their top package for sure.

Your TA still gets the booking if your current cruise was booked through them, it is automatically transferred....

The $200 is per cabin (based on double-occupancy), not per person.

The included YC WiFi is the browse package not 'browse & stream' so not quite as clear an advantage perhaps...?

There is an option not to report separation from the tag when it is at a 'safe' location, that is probably why you don't get the alerts at home, rather than anything to do with your niece.

Not sure if it has changed since June, but this is what we had as the onboard deal... You also get any promotion currently running in your region.

Nothing about MSC is simple... 🙂 Here is the actual wording in the T&Cs... 1.5 Length of Membership MSC Voyagers Club Membership is subject to a minimum of one cruise every three years. If the last cruise disembarkation date is over 3 years (36 months) or no cruise has been completed in 3 years after the enrolment date, membership to the MSC Voyagers Club program will expire. For example: if the last disembarkation date is 30.01.2015 and no cruises are completed by 30.01.2018, the membership will expire. If the registration date is 30.01.2015 and no cruises are completed by 30.01.2018, the membership will expire. The expiry shown on the Voyagers account seems to run for 3 years from the date they last updated the points total which isn't the same as their Terms... The important point to focus on for maximum safety is to ensure the disembarkation date of your next cruise is within 3 years of the disembarkation date of your last cruise... Arguably the date they show on the website should be honored, but it doesn't explicitly state that it is an expiry date hence to avoid any risk I'd aim for a few days earlier to ensure it is within 3 years of the previous disembarkation date. You are clearly fine though with a January cruise booked.

A bit late, but I noticed this didn't get an answer... It is the end of the cruise date that matters, not the start, so the 01/11/24 date you are seeing should relate to 1st November 2024 (European date format) So to maintain status your next cruise needs to end before 1st November '24

Sometimes something simple makes for the most relaxing evening...

Our YC cruise in June this year was only 4 days, but it was in Europe and our butler was Elvin, so you know the kind of experience we enjoyed 🙂 ... but I do think you may be right about the short runs out to Ocean Cay where the ship serves more as a ferry service than as a destination in itself.

Here you go... https://www.msccruises.co.uk/manage-booking/msc-voyagers-club/members-benefits Do keep in mind that MSC status expires in 3 years if you do not cruise, so only match when you know you are going to make use of it, and it is a one-shot deal, you cannot match again in the future if you lose MSC status.

Don't miss the 'stroopwafel' either, looks like you may have had a version of that with your Earl Grey earlier...

Excellent photos, brings back many memories of our APT river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest a few years ago, also in December. Learning to pronounce 'Gouda' properly was also a memorable experience 🙂

No, I did not suggest it was 'unacceptable' merely that it was not a prerequisite to receiving great service onboard. ...and specifically there is no need to tip 'early and frequently'. You may feel otherwise and that is fine, but others should not get the impression that it is a requirement.