JT1962

More flexibility than they used to, not more flexibility than booking your own. When I used Cruise Line airfare 15 years ago, we had no choice in our flights. From what I understand now, they do give you some flexibility and arriving a few days earlier or choosing your own flight times from options they have.From what I understand now, they do give you some flexibility and arriving a few days earlier or choosing your own flight times from options they have.

I find it ironic that “The Love Boat” promo, which is being partially used as a promotion for the new dating reality show “The Real Love Boat”, does not appear to apply to singles. At least based on this section in the terms: “These fares do not apply to singles or third/fourth-berth guests.” https://www.princess.com/cruise-deals-promotions/

It was not enforced on either of my cruises, but I did see it listed. With the crew shortages on both of my cruises, I doubt they had enough people to attempt to enforce curfew.

I’m not sure how new this is, but did see it listed for my May & June Carnival cruises this year.

I was considering purchasing 100 shares for the onboard credit, but most of my cruises lately have been booked with last minute deals a month or less in advance. If your cruise leaves before they get it approved, do you just lose it? I assume they aren’t going to send me a check after the fact. I think I found the answer to my question on the website. It says it must be submitted four weeks prior to your cruise and cannot be used towards gratuities. I rarely purchase anything on board and planned on using it for gratuities. Sounds like it would not be worth it for me.

We generally book our own flights so we can choose the best departures, direct flights, if possible, etc. I have read comments that the airfare through the cruise lines does give you more flexibility to arrive a few days early, pick your flights, etc., than when we last used it about 15 years ago. The advantage to booking through the cruise line is that if something happens to cancel the cruise, you aren’t dealing with two companies and possibly getting stuck with an airline credit instead of a refund for the flights.

Effective Dec 1, 2022, Covid tests or proof of Covid vaccine will no longer be required for all passengers on most Azamara cruises. Hopefully MSC will remove all vaccine & testing requirements by then as well. https://cruiseradio.net/azamara-cruises-drops-testing-vaccine-mandate-all-guests/

Effective Dec 1, 2022, Covid tests or proof of Covid vaccine will no longer be required for all passengers on most Azamara cruises. Hopefully Carnival and others will follow. https://cruiseradio.net/azamara-cruises-drops-testing-vaccine-mandate-all-guests/

Effective Dec 1, 2022, Covid tests or proof of Covid vaccine will no longer be required for all passengers on most Azamara cruises. https://cruiseradio.net/azamara-cruises-drops-testing-vaccine-mandate-all-guests/

I have not seen the details of canceling due to a positive Covid test since the updated Covid policy for boarding the ship. Since they allow a photo or the actual test strip as proof of a negative test for unvaccinated passengers to board, you would think they would allow a photo of the positive test as proof for cancellation. But that is using logic, and where money and possible refunds are involved, I’m betting they require more proof.

I believe MSC allows passengers to embark and begin they cruise at multiple locations throughout the cruise, at least in Europe. Thank of it as a hop on hop off bus tour, but on a ship. I believe you do roundtrip from your embarkation port. Also, MSC allows bookings of back to back cruises as one cruise, so that may be affecting what you are seeing also. I am booked on a 19 day cruise in the Caribbean in October, but technically it is a seven day cruise followed by a 12 day cruise.

Looks like MSC is adding an amusement ride to the top deck of the Seascape to appeal more to the American market. One of the things I enjoyed on the Meraviglia is that it felt more like a traditional ship and did not feel like you were cruising on an amusement park. https://cruiseradio.net/msc-cruises-robotron-amusement-ride-msc-seascape/

If that is new, it sounds like they may have been audited and their procedures for preventing money laundering were not strong enough. I can see someone bringing a large amount of cash on board and depositing it to their account, then getting most of it refunded at the end of the cruise and it appears that it is a legitimate transaction that they can deposit into their normal bank account.

You usually will not know until you board. Sometimes the Cruise Director will announce how many are onboard at the opening night show or you can ask at Guest Services. You could try mock bookings and see how many cabins of each type show available, but that is no guarantee they are showing all available cabins on the site you are using.

I cruised on the Meraviglia in January for the first time with MSC and enjoyed it. There are some differences between MSC and other main stream lines such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean, but I still had a great time and I’ve booked Divina for 19 days in October and for seven days in January. I currently sell solo, so they’re low or no charges for solo are a huge benefit for me. As others have said, I think the primary reason they have many negative reviews is people don’t do enough research prior to going on the cruise and are expecting things to be exactly like they were on Carnival Royal Caribbean. Many seem to book the cheapest fare (Bella), but somehow expect the Yacht Club experience.

I did mine three days prior to arrival. I would not necessarily wait until the last day.

You will do the arrival by sea to Vancouver prior to boarding in Seward. Then you will do the land arrival at Fraser anytime up to 3 days before you get to Skagway. It seems backwards, since you will be arriving in Skagway/Fraser before Vancouver, but they need the approval for you to board the ship. Hopefully next year, all of the Covid requirements, including ArriveCAN, will be gone.

Are you doing a one-way from Seward or Whittier to Vancouver? If so, you will need to complete ArriveCAN showing Vancouver as your arrival by sea to be able to board the ship. Then on the 9th, you will complete a land border arrival for Fraser for your Skagway port day. I would save screenshots of both of your QR code approvals to show, if needed. Most have reported that they never needed to actually show them after they boarded the ship.

Not sure of all the specifics, but just thought it was interesting they were now offering a status match when MSC was the only mainstream line I am aware of that was offering this previously.

You will get a variety of opinions with some saying you definitely need a balcony and others saying it is not needed. I have taken three cruises to Alaska, two with inside cabins and one with a balcony. While a balcony is nice, I would not choose a balcony if it meant having to give up some excursions that I was interested in to offset the cost. My last cruise to Alaska was in an inside cabin on a deck with an enclosed viewing area just a few steps away. I spent a lot of time in the enclosed area while sailing, could easily move to either side of the ship for viewing and could quickly go one flight up to an outdoor deck for better viewing. I could go back to my cabin easily without waiting on an elevator or climbing multiple flights if steps. Bottom line, if cost is not an issue, then go for the balcony. If you are looking for a good middle-ground option, check the deck plans for interior or Oceanview cabins on or near a deck with a nice viewing area with seating and book a cabin on that deck.

Not sure if it is related to the MSC rumors or just coincidence, but Virgin Voyages announced a Status Match as part of their loyalty program, similar to MSC. https://cruisefever.net/virgin-the-adults-only-cruise-line-adds-loyalty-status-matching/

I have cruised primarily with Royal Caribbean & Carnival in the last 10 years and took my first MSC cruise in January and enjoyed it. That said, I think your group would be happier on Royal Caribbean. Royal will have more activities, traditional shows and more food options that would appeal to the age ranges in your group. I enjoyed the food on MSC, but many do not care for the selections which tend to me more European and more seafood & less beef. There are also usually a bigger variety of free food options on Royal Caribbean than MSC. When I was on Meraviglia on January, the soft serve machine near the main pool was not working. They did have gelato, but there was a fee. I think they did make a few towel animals during the week, but I have been on 2 cruises on Carnival since then and they all start to run together.

I would rank Guy’s a close second to the Dive In burgers & fries on Holland America.

It’s interesting that a Royal Caribbean in Holland America ship were both able to depart on Sunday, but the Celebrity ship was unable to. I wonder if they decided to make a statement just by preventing one ship from leaving?

MSC is dropping testing as of Sep 1 for vaccinated US cruisers oncruises of any length unless a destination requires it. Hopefully Carnival and others will follow and drop the non-proctored self-test nonsense. https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/28136-msc-cruises-relaxes-covid-19-protocols-on-u-s-sailings.html