Av8tor

From what I can see on YouTube videos, it appears that the ship's bars have Heineken, Heineken Light and New Castle Brown ale on tap.  Can anyone confirm this for me?  If so, I'd be a VERY happy camper (sailor?)! 🍺 😎

5 hours ago, Até said:

Here's a link to the MSC US page that clearly states shore excursions can be changed or cancelled up to two days before departure date.

 

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/Manage-Your-Booking/Terms-Conditions-Excursions-Special-Services.aspx

 

"If you buy the prepaid shore excursion the full payment must be made at the time of booking by credit card. The shore excursions can be booked, modified or cancelled either up to 2 days before cruise departure either on board. If you cancel the shore excursion booked before cruise commences, no cancellation fees will be applied, provided that such cancellation is done 2 days before the departure date through MSC Cruises Website. "

 

ETA: I don''t think they can charge 50% if you had to do it through a phone agent.

I hate to be a stickler, but the snipet from the MSC webpage says that the excurions can be canceled and no cancellation fees (read as extra cost over and above the price of the excursion) will be applied, but it does NOT mention anything about a refund...That whole section is a bit suspect since the end of the second sentence "either on board." seems to be an orphaned tought and makes no sense.

7 hours ago, Roger88 said:

To such huge corporations its only the matter of price. They got enough money to get away with anything. They understand the consequencies, the only exactly the results of their actions.. and they still commit them cause they simply got enough money to pay all the corresponding fines if they ever occur. Also being a huge tax payer, noone in the government is really intrested in closing their office. 
Simple things.. 

Aren't all these cruise companies foreign corporations?  I think they are so they might not necessarily be "a huge tax payer," at least not to the United States... 

As to trying to get away with anything and just payinmg the fine as a general price of doing business, I believe that is exactly what the do.

On 2/27/2020 at 9:59 PM, Av8tor said:

Submitted Princess Elite status using a picture of the Captains Circle account webpage 2/26/20.  My wife's MSC Diamond status and VC # were confirmed the next day.  No news on mine yet however even though they were submitted at the same time.

An update:

10 days later and a few calls and e-mails to MSC and I finally matched the same as my wife did - Princess Elite to VC Diamond/Black!

Judy, that is great information.  Seems like the ambiguous statements in the MSC letter have been clarified!

Pete,

I see your point, but I'm still not sure what will happen.  The MSC letter certainly can be taken either way.  I guess only time will tell...

On 3/26/2020 at 1:06 PM, Skier52 said:

 

yes you get the extra year

 

 

Skier,  How do you know they'll get the extra year?

The letter from MSC says "If your card is already expired in 2020 or is set to expire in 2020, its validity will be automatically extended to December 31, 2021 with its point balance and status remaining intact."

Debde stated that his/her card is due to expire on Jan 30, 2021 so it's not clear, at least to me, that the extension would automatically apply since the MSC letter only mentions extensions for cards that have or will expire in 2020.

I'm not a lawyer, but the devil is in the details...

Submitted Princess Elite status using a picture of the Captains Circle account webpage 2/26/20.  My wife's MSC Diamond status and VC # were confirmed the next day.  No news on mine yet however even though they were submitted at the same time.

This will be our first MSC cruise but I've heard enough to know that YC is the way to go.  Longtime Princess cruisers looking forward to trying other lines...

We'e on the port side so I guess I'll just burn a few exercising calories walking over to the other side before inbibing in more alcoholic calories 😉

Thanks for the quick reply.  Deck 16 it is for us!

Thanks for that, I did not know about that Italian superstition...

Paul

Yes, still another Seaside YC question...

It's not clear to me on the deck plans, but can you get into the YC lounge from deck 16 YC cabin halls or do you have to go up to 18 and enter the YC restaurant on 18 and take the curved stairs back down to the YC lounge on 16?

Thanks

Is there a deck 17 on seaside?  The deck plans on MSC website don't show a deck 17,  just 16 then 18.  From the photos of SS, it looks like the forward cabin windows on the uppermost deck (YC - 18?) are the same as the deck right below (YC - 16?).  Based on that, I think there is no deck 17, but if not, why skip 17 in the numbering?  I know some ships & building skip 13 in their numberinmg, but I've never seen 17 skipped...

Thanks

Normally I wouldn't choose a cabin just beneath a pool deck due to early morning noise from setting up lounge chairs.  Has that been a problem for anyone in MSC YC suites?  We're particularily interested in the Seaside...

Thanks

On 2/15/2020 at 9:42 AM, amurray88 said:

Thanks folks. I understand that there's always the small possibility that things will go wrong....the boat could sink and we could end up not making Orlando at all (hopefully won't happen). However, my hope is that judging by replies I should be fairly safe booking transport for around 11am. 👍 Thank you all

My bet is that the SEASIDE will NEVER make it to Orlando!!!  That's a bit too far inland from the ocean for it to be feasible 😁

Definately not an expert here, but I THINK that the "up to 4GB (depending on the length of the cruise)" just refers to the amount of data that will be included is dependent on the lenght of the cruise so longer cruises would get more data up to the max of 4GB.

FWIW

Thanks for the replies

Looking to finally fulfill my desire to book a SD cruise after too many years of cruising on the mega-lines.  Thinking of SDII this fall in the Caribbean after what I think is her drydock this spring/summer.  I'd appreciate answers for the following questions from you SD experts out there:

1)  Are there/What are     any advantages to booking directly with SD versus using a TA?  I normally book with a discount on-line agency or a high-volume TA who rebates part of her mega-line commissions, but having no experience with SD, I'm wondering what you all do.   (Online site is basically showing the same price as SD's webpage)

2)  I like to swim about 2km a day and was wondering if its possible to do that from the water sports deck or are you required to stay within some sort of corral or defined area?

3)  Do they have sparkling wine/cider for non-drinkers and how's the coffee and esspresso?

Thanks for your replies

1 hour ago, fishin' musician said:

No pics ??? 

Sorry, didn't bring my phone ashore... 

Not sure if anyone else has posted this since I don't want to “waste” internet minutes searching the forum while onboard Regal. Anyway, here's a quick Princess Cays update:

We left FLL on Sun and stopped at PC on Mon and, contrary to what many believed, it seems to be mostly up and running normally. Concessions were open, food and beverage service appeared normal and I saw no difference to beach/water activities. However, a letter in the cabin informed us that the Bungalows on shore would be unavailable for use and one toilet building was out of commission but others were available.

A new wood “privacy” fence has been erected around the fire area, but I was able to peek around the end of it. It looks as if only two or three buildings burned and the remains of those have been completely cleared away down to the concrete foundations. The metal roof of one vendor shop right next to the new fence showed some heat damage to the paint but others appeared untouched. One large generator trailer was on one of the foundations and running to provide power to the facilities. Another smaller generator trailer was also there but not being utilized.

So, except for the bungalows, it appears to be business as normal!

On Grand Class ships, the Lotus Pool can be accessed from outside without going through the spa area, but you have to be able to use steps (i.e. not wheelchair or scooter accessible)

Lap pool is mostly a misnomer.  It's not very long and no real straight/smooth wall for turning around.  Grand class ships originally had a current machine in the Lotus Pool that was great for swimming work-outs, but lately I haven't found many (if any at all) that are still operable...YMMV

Just an FYI,

For most US airlines, first class is usually only available on domestic or short range international (Canada, Mexico, Caribbean) flights (with no business class available).  Business class is usually only available on long-haul international flights (with no first class available).

For US airlines, premium economy, comfort/economy plus, etc. can be available on most all flights depending on the airline and type of aircraft flying the route.  This usually is just a regular coach seat with more leg room and possible free cocktails & snacks and early boarding.

OK, thanks for the replies.  I'll try it on my computer...