HardToPort

1 hour ago, Doggielover68 said:

You're right, I tried calling and it took them 15 minutes to find the excursion and another 10 minutes to find the hidden note with the age restriction. Their on-board policy is that you may cancel onboard for OBC provided that the excursion is at least 48 hours away. I board on Sunday and Ocean Day is Monday so I don't see that as being an option. They may very well make an exception at the shore excursions desk but without any written policy in advance, I guess I'll just have to cancel and wait 1-2 months for a refund. 

 

This is my first cruise with MSC. I'm sure the trip itself will be fine but so far, I'm not impressed. 

Personally, I would not want an OBC and I would kick off over this. MSC sold you a product for passengers that are restricted from enjoying that product. MSC has all of the passenger info including the DOB’s of all concerned. 
 

so MSC, you know your guest is 16 but sold them an excursion that they are 5 years too young to enjoy. 
 

cruise excursions, bar sales, shopping profit margins are high. Like 50% margins over costs. So, if they refund the money as an onboard credit you may receive a $500 OBC but the true cost of the services you exchange that credit for is only $250. Big win for MSC.

Because I’m probably insane, I’m very much looking forward to my Divina cruise next month. But I’m travelling solo. As long as they don’t sink and I get fed, served drinks and am somewhat entertained I’m good.

but for larger groups, families, unfamiliar cruisers … all dealing with bookings, excursions, dining reservations and possibly higher expectations than MSC can meet … hoo boy.

1 hour ago, Homosassa said:

Because the main description is just a general description of the excursion.  Just as  with anything thing else, one must do read the additional information that is always provided.

 

Any excursion on any cruise line I have cruised (and there have been many lines and cruises) will have a general description of the excursion and the specific restrictions or addition information elsewhere on the booking description.

I agree with you 100% that the short synopsis needs to be taken in conjunction with the fine print. (Here comes my “but”) … but any age restriction needs to front and centre. If you’re publishing an overview, any restrictions  ie age, fitness level etc should be up front. In bold. 20 pt font. Highlighted. Underlined. Maybe with sound effects.

Hang on. If you look just to the left of the “Add To My Cruise” button you’ll see an information icon that says “Additional Notes”. The notes confirm that you must be 21 or over to participate. 
 

why wouldn’t they put that in the main description??????

Doggie lover,

I just looked at this excursion under my upcoming booking. While it does include a free drink, there is nothing written about an age restriction. I think you’ll have to call MSC’s dreaded customer service line for clarification.

good luck

Nunagoras,

I’m Anglo Canadian not Portuguese, but I married into a Portuguese family so I’m an honorary Portuguese now. They’re from Pico and I love the Azores. I’ve been to Lisboa and Porto as well. 
 

I love Fado, red wine and Portuguese food. And the people. Right now I listen to Cuca Roseta a lot. Beautiful voice, wonderful fadista. 
 

Ta log, amigo e boa noite.

30 minutes ago, Nunagoras said:

 Either way: Trousers and collared shirt is more than enough for a gentlemen's MSC's gala night.

 

 

Boa tarde amigo,

Yes, I know a shirt and slacks are fine. It’s just a personal preference that I wear a jacket to dinner.

cheira bem, cheira Lisboa.

Sorry. It is a 7 night cruise. I should have included that info.

I’m cruising on Divina in April 2023. I generally dress more “up” unless I’m in the pool and I do like a tux on gala nights and a jacket on most other nights that I’m in the MDR. However I’m doing this cruise solo so definitely not packing my tux because when travelling solo I am a “carry on only” traveller. So, I will bring a jacket and slacks but how do I find out if we have any white nights or theme nights planned?
 

if there is a place on the website where I can find this info I’d like to know. While I’m older (63) and can’t dance the night away anymore I do like to participate dress-wise and enjoy the festivities albeit as an observer.

Any info from recent Divina itineraries to help me pack?

I booked a solo on MSC Divina last month for an April sailing. Basically getting an Oceanview solo for the price now listed for double occupancy. Yes, MSC, like many cruise lines, has a limit on solo occupied cabins. It can get even worse if, as a solo, you decide to bring a friend. I’ve read that if you make changes to your booking your original pricing is forfeit and the re-booking will be processed at the current posted rate so if there has been a price increase both cruisers will pay it.

MSC is also notorious for their booking screwups and IT issues.

I got free drinks and wifi but those perks don’t seem to be available on current bookings. Booking a cruise can be a crapshoot at times and I don’t know why but if you find that sweet spot in the booking window it’s a bonus.

”Ghost” bookings can get you into trouble. I would avoid them. Try some other sailings or search some other cruise lines. 

Sometimes when I cruise I have perks that come from staying in a suite. Other times I’m in an ocean view or basic balcony.
 

When I have boarding perks, I show up early and get escorted on. But when I’m just another passenger I wait until 2 hours after the earliest boarding time to head to the pier. 
 

I can’t see any sense in baking in the Miami heat for 2 hours waiting to squeeze into the check in line and then sitting on the floor waiting for my boarding group # to be called. As long as I’m on board 2 hours before departure per customs regulations I can enjoy a leisurely breakfast elsewhere and postpone my sail away cocktail for a little bit.

Hi Misguy,

would you be able to post a pic of the Daily Activities sheet? I’m on Divina next month and looking to get a feel for music offerings etc.

Going on Divina next month. Just curious as to what’s on offer during Sea Days.

Let’s assume MSC ships are all similar because I’ve been on the Divina but not the Meraviglia. Yes, they have penny and nickel slots (of course the multipliers mean the true cost is $1-3 per spin). 
 

The tables vary based on traffic. I played roulette for $5 during slow periods but it bumped to $10-$15 in the evening. Blackjack and table poker games seemed to vary depending on traffic as well. 
 

I like playing Hold ‘Em and NCL had both Hold ‘Em tourney’s and Slot Pulls. I don’t remember these options on Divina. 
 

I’ve never done this but, if I wanted to play a table and it was empty I would ask the pit boss to lower the limit. $5 a hand is better than $0 IMO.

I usually just play with cash, but I believe I read elsewhere that people have pulled from their card and used OBC’s in the casino. Perhaps another poster can confirm this.

12 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

But your suggestions are totally relevant??????  

 

"Lots of time to store luggage "somewhere..." ? ...really helpful.

So, there’s 100+ locations to store luggage in Brooklyn. Usebounce.com is a system designed for luggage storage for those waiting for flights, coming off cruises, access to their AirBNB’s etc. Luggage storage is a non-issue.

https://usebounce.com/s?bags=2&query=Brooklyn%2C NY%2C USA

2 hours ago, njhorseman said:

And once again you're ignoring the fact that the OP will have luggage. You can't bring luggage to a baseball game.

Cruises dock at 7 AM. Walk off passengers are off by 8-9. Lots of time to store luggage somewhere and still enjoy NY. I’m not “ignoring” anything. Op was looking for ideas. She’s been given some. Your opinions of the logistics or costs involved are irrelevant. I’m talking to her, not you. She’ll make her decisions accordingly.

I don’t know OP’s dates but … oh, look!

Marlins @ Mets April 6 1:10 PM

Marlins @ Mets April 9 1:40 PM

Padres @ Mets April 12 1:10 PM

Braves @ Mets April 30 1:40 PM

Braves @ Mets May 1 1:10 PM

I’m guessing this a trend that repeats throughout the season and applies to the Yankees as well.

3 hour game. An hour or so to get to airport. No domestic flight requires you to be at the airport 2 hours in advance. Online check in means you only need to arrive before your gate closes. 
 

I was giving the OP some ideas. And I did research so maybe next time you … ah, never mind. 
 

“Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise.”

The time of half filled ships is quickly passing. So, I expect, will be the special deals, flexible customer service resolution, re-booking convenience, throw ins like booze, grats, wifi, on board credits etc. Not just MSC but everywhere.

Last year, as a solo, I had a with balcony on NCL with drinks and wifi for about $1,300 Canadian. Darn good deal. The ship sailed 3/4 full and this was after moving a large number passengers over from the NCL ship that blew a motor and caused a cancellation.

Next month I’m doing another solo in an ocean view on MSC Divina with drinks and wifi for about $1,200 CDN. Still a good deal. NCL didn’t have anything to compare when I shopped and I’m retired so, when vacationing without my SO, it’s price price price. I can leave when I want, don’t care about ports. Just get me to the sun for a week and let me read, have a drink, listen to some tunes and chill.
 

BUT … just under 60 days out you can’t book a solo cabin on this cruise anymore. And my similar cabin type requires 2 person occupancy to get the pp rate I have. So, I’m basically filling a cabin for $1,200 but now they want $2,400 to sell that cabin. Fair play to them as far as I’m concerned. They’re in business to make money.

There’s pent up travel demand coming out of Covid, cruising is pretty popular, so as passenger loads increase we can expect some sticker shock and less flexibility. Grab some deals while you can because, as Dylan sang, “the times they are a changing”.

13 hours ago, njhorseman said:

The OP is on MSC, which will dock in Brooklyn, so that's not a very good option. Even if they were arriving in Manhattan they still have the luggage issue.

Larger train stations (like Grand Centrla or Penn) used to have luggage storage. Might be an option. Yes, the HoHo bus is great. Yeah, it’s a tourist thing but she’s going to be a tourist.

Take the Staten Island Ferry from Manhattan to Staten Island. It’s free and gets you super to close the Statue of Liberty. Walk Broadway. See Times Square. Check out the UN building. Shop Macy’s. Have a drink in a nice pub. Baseball season starts soon. Check out the Mets or the Yankees. Many Broadway and off- Broadway shows have 2 PM matinees. Go to a deli for a corned beef on rye. Hit one of many museums. Take a walk on an Aircraft Carrier moored at the Manhattan pier. Buy some knock off clothes near Times Square.

35 minutes ago, Greg4502 said:

The weather is a factor with shoes. My shoes choices are just for on the ship, Sketchers. They are very comfortable right out of the box. My off-ship shoes are Merrel low quarter hiking shoes. They are good for all weather and terrain. With any shoe if you are getting them for a cruise, get them a few weeks before you go. Wear them around your house when out and about. You want to get them broken in. It is good to carry some band aids with you when off ship, in case a blister develops. 

Merrill’s are my go to shoes. Comfortable, supporting, hard wearing. I have 3 pairs at all times. A new pair, a “yard / garage” pair, and a “painting / drywall pair”. When I buy a new pair the older ones move down the ladder a rung. They last for years. I prefer the slip-on types but they have many laced options. Link for women below.

https://www.merrell.com/CA/en_CA/womens-footwear/

On 2/25/2023 at 9:49 PM, evandbob said:

USD $ are accepted most everywhere as posters have stated.  Just don't try to use the $2 bill, no one will accept it.  $1s and $5s are great.

 

I'll caution about putting a $100 bill around a wad of small bills though, too inviting to a thief.  Only bring a little bit more cash than what you think you'll need, that's enough.

 

Having a foreign fee free CC, Master or Visa along with your Govt photo ID can be helpful for larger purchases or an emergency.

I agree about not flashing cash. I was joking about wrapping a $100 around a wad of $1’s. I don’t carry a lot of cash into ports, or jewelry, watch etc. Never make yourself a target.

15 minutes ago, LiquidWu said:

I can confirm @HardToPort 's experience.

Perhaps the emphasis is on "travelling together". Usually you are placed at a table with random other guests, so this clause usually does not apply and the rule is therefore not enforced.

Agreed. T & C states “occupying same cabin AND … wishing to dine at the same table”. It’s not an “or” situation as in “occupying the same cabin OR … wishing to dine at the same table”. 
 

Randoms seated together don’t require all to have drinks package.

There is no rule that applies to your table.

the rule is that all passengers sharing a cabin must have the same drinks package.

On 2/1/2023 at 3:31 AM, GeroWA said:

We will be cruising the Eastern Caribbean in May and was wondering what currency should we take - US Dollars or Local currency or will we be able to get by using our C/Cards?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Canadian here. The US$ is king just about everywhere throughout the Caribbean. A word to the wise though. Buy $100-$200 worth of $1’s and $5’s. They’re great for small tips but more importantly the “I don’t have any change” scam is common. So you buy something for $16 and the vendor only has a $20. Jamaica especially has a problem with this but I’ve seen it on other islands as well.

Also … you must absolutely know the fair exchange rate. The US$ often trades at better than posted exchange rates.

Also, you can wrap it with a $100 bill and you’ll look like a big roller. LOL

Same. Cruising on Divina in April. Selected Early Dining. Doesn’t show on my cruise details yet. 
 

don’t worry. You can almost always change your time on board on most cruise lines.