momrox1

Thanks for the help all....one (hopefully) final question.  I joined AARP yesterday and the percentage off for Princess is 8%....Is this always the case or does it fluctuate to 10% then back to 8%  Thanks!

8 hours ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

Yes, you can make a fare change to the plus or premier fare using gift cards.  (You can not purchase the drink package)

 

I booked the standard fare which needed to be paid right away while deciding whether I wanted plus or premier for our next sailing and purchased the gift cards to use for upgrading that fare to premier.  Our CVP had no issues using these to change the fare. 

I neglected to mention I am past final payment.  So, it becomes a fare change and my TA will use the gift cards to pay the difference before the cruise sails? Thanks....I'm new to gift cards..didn't even know about them until now.  

I would like to buy some aarp gift cards to be used to purchase the princess plus package.  Can this only be done onboard or can I purchase the gc and apply it to my booking to pay for plus package prior to sailing?  If at all, as I'm getting conflicting stories about whether or not I can use the gc for this purchase.  I'm on w Princess now...at first she said you cannot use it for drink package but she was mistaking it for an obc.  

Has anyone used a gc to purchase the plus drink package and if so, was it done prior or only onboard?

Thanks

We just booked the Hyatt Regency Yokohama for our upcoming Oct. trip. It was quite pricey, even on Hotwire...from $250-$300.  I checked my Hyatt balance and had zero points but  they only wanted 15000 points for that nights stay.  My Chase Sapphire card wanted me to use 24000 points for that hotel.  So I outsmarted them all (haha) and transferred my 15 k Chase points into my Hyatt account and within 10 minutes I was able to book the Hyatt. Win!  🙂Looks like it's a short walk to the pier too.

We are planning a 14 day Japan tour next October.  The aft cabins available are Deck 4 4178 or 4183 . These look shorter than other balcony cabins because the suites cut into the layout.  Our other choice is Deck 8 8136 (which I have on hold) 8134 8141 and 8145.

Upon doing research I have found comments about deck 4 having alot of vibration (and not in a good way) from the ships engine.  I have read that Deck 8 has people directly above who can see below into the balcony which doesn't bother me.  My concern is the pool above me and chair scraping but I'm figuring with the weather being on the cooler side it should not be a problem.  Anyone stay in any of these cabins and want to share your experience/thoughts?

Thank you!

Anyone?  I'm also interested in booking my own tours....thanks!

What a great bunch of information you have provided.  Thank you!  🙂  I don't know if someone asked this question so I will. I'm going on the same cruise late August.  I know the days are layers and a rain jacket but what about nights on the ship?  Would you say it's considered a "cold" ship due to a/c ....or specifically how does the outside weather affect the ship?  Do they put the heat on Lol?  Would I be comfortaable in a short sleeved dress with no jacket/sweater ?  Thanks!

23 hours ago, erinsmom03 said:

I'm just going to have to figure out which is more important, a little privacy and space for everyone, or a balcony. It's a 12 night cruise, so that's a lot of time to get on each other's nerves lol

Have you thought of a regular balcony for yourself and your husband (instead of a suite)  and perhaps an interior for your daughter?  She could then enjoy some time with you  on your balcony and the extra interior cabin shouldn't be too pricey compared to a suite for three.  It might be a lateral move as they say.

13 hours ago, D C said:

No bus or taxi required. It's a short walk from the pier (but the hill is rather steep getting there). 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/GVtBUfJHpWdamZ3T8

 

Check their website for opening times and making an advanced booking on your date. 

https://www.maisonsvictorhugo.paris.fr/en/visitor-information/your-visit-guernsey

sent an email...than you so much for the info.

On 3/2/2022 at 6:03 PM, Guernseycruiser said:

Just to give you the heads up, the walking tours do not usually go past Victor Hugo's House, as it is a little out of the main area, and up a steep hill.  I would highly recommend that you take a tour of the house itself, it is absolutely amazing inside.  

I too will be cruising August of 2023...How would I get to the Victor Hugo house from the cruise pier? Are there independent tours or would I book a one hour tour and have to get there on my own?  If so, are there taxis instead of buses?  Thank you for your info.

Thank you!  Got a quote from both..Aquacar quoted 107..Blackberry 198.  

On 10/27/2022 at 1:11 PM, Bob++ said:

My immediate thought was that Uber would be more expensive than the usual taxi firms (West Quay and Aquacars) 

Thank you!  I reached out and Aquacars got right back to me with a great quote!  

We are three older women arriving a day early into LHR. We would like to uber directly from Virgin Atlantic Air which I believe to be terminal 3 to an as yet unbooked hotel in Southampton the day prior to our cruise.  Has anyone done this? I keep reading about Uber strikes etc . I did a mock booking on my uber app and it seems doable and I was surprised my Usa Uber app works in London?    I also looked into the cost of National Express Bus service but for the difference in $$ it seems much more of a hassle.  Looking for the most direct route that will not break the bank.

17 minutes ago, Oxo said:

This one contains too much controversy.

Controversy  ??  I'm confused.  Wanted to specifically ask the OP their  thoughts on a particular excursion that msc offers.  

On 12/4/2021 at 1:20 AM, Geobugs said:

Panama Canal crossing excursion was amazing, and  Costa Rica excursion was very nice.

Hi...I'm booking Divina for this coming Oct. 12 day that goes to Colon, Panama. We're considering a ship excursion, specifically the one titled Panama Canal Cruise that involves a bus ride , a ferry and an actual trip through the locks.  Is this the one you took and if so can you tell me if you enjoyed it?  Looks like it's an 8 hour trip.  Thanks!

I sailed both in January and March on MSC and I will sail again on Sunday.  EAch time I use either Walgreens or CVS for their rapid tests.  No problem.  Be aware that Walgreens books out appts. about a week out and CVS books about 12 days out.  Although CVS is not etched in stone...it seems they change where and when you can get the test on a whim.   I am on a b2b beginning Sunday but on different cruise lines.  Yesterday was my week out to book at a Walgreens in Cocoa Beach for when I disembark one ship and prepare to embark on the other  and at 5 a.m yesterday, the earliest of the reservations for testing were sold out at the nearest Walgreens.  I needed an early time slot for 3 of us so had to choose the next closest Walgreens.

I first cruised msc in 2006 and loved it.  I will be embarking this weekend on my third msc since January with a back to back on Carnival.  So far, I have had the worst experience dealing with customer service on msc and the best dealing with carnival.  MSC took our rooms away and blames the travel agent who blames msc.  We are three women each with single rooms and our reservations are linked.  I'm still trying to straighten this out, even with an MSC concierge trying to help me out.  Comparatively, I called Carnival to inquire about a bottled water package and the woman asked me if I'd like to be upgraded for all three cabins free of charge 🙂

Of course I battled the dreaded Status Match on Msc, finally getting diamond after many many attempts but noticed that Carnival has quietly upgraded my status from red to gold.  I enjoy all of the cruises I have ever taken and have never had a bad experience.  I"m just tongue in cheek mentioning the differences as I was mulling them over while still awaiting  my cabin assignment to reinstate the room I reserved months ago from msc .  🙄

On 7/6/2021 at 6:53 PM, Shippy said:

 

   So I book though my Internet travel agent who usually throws in Free Gratuities & On Board Credit.

 

 

 

Are you allowed to mention what travel agent you use?  Thanks

I too was on this cruise as well as the one JT1962 mentioned in January  .  I have the exact same feelings about both cruises.  I'm surprised with so many dissatisfied customers that something is not done to correct the problem.  I mean, how do you run out of milk/oj/ maple syrup and eggs?  You know ahead of time how many are coming onboard. 

  I just got the survey and once again will state the complaints as well as the praise for particular employees.  I hope it does not fall on deaf ears.  I'm boarding again in 2 weeks..this cruise is the last before dry dock and I hope things don't go to hell in a handbasket because nobody cares 🙄  My friends would be so disappointed..  

We do look forward to reconnecting with the staff...they are so helpful and friendly it ALMOST makes up for the horrible food.  But like I said in another post,  I'm down a couple lbs.  😄

9 hours ago, blueslily said:

 

I'm curious, where are you located and where is your friend located? 

they are in Southern Mass, near Cape Cod and had to get them an appt. in Pawtucket RI...only wanted the rapid test. 

I'm in FL  ...easy for me   😎

Thank you everyone for your comments and info.  I got my friends a test at CVS an hour drive from their house but at least it was available.  I will try that morning at their closest cvs which seems to be booking the rapid tests on a daily basis...in other words you can book a rapid test today for today...makes no sense but at least we have the backup plan.  Walgreens was a bust for them...too far away.

I have friends joining me on a cruise in two weeks.  I cannot for the life of me find a rapid antigen or rapid naat test appt. within 50 miles of their residence as I try to make a mock appt.  I try cvs and walgreens with no luck.  they only have the pcr which is running beyond two days.   My question is will MSC test them at the pier if they have no other options?  And what would the charge be?  Please only respond if you know first hand...things change .. I was on MSC this past week and also in January...in January with 500 guests they tested us at the pier but last week there was no testing with 3500 guests.  I was told it was because there were "too many people".  So that is not the test I'm inquiring about...I'm asking about the required test results taken within 48 hours that you do on your own. Thanks! 

One thing I forgot....On the upside, first cruise I have ever taken where I didn't gain weight 😄

On 3/16/2022 at 8:55 PM, Markanddonna said:

The consensus on our roll call was that MSC really blew it with the surge in passengers without proper p!anning. They ran our of milk cartons after day two and heard they ran out of food on Ocean Day on day one. Lots of furious people. The bar tenders were swamped. Our granddaughter had a great time but she's eight. Many issues and overworrked staff. We have dozens of cruises under our belt and this was the worst for many reasons. 

We were on the Meraviglia 3/13 also. 3500 guests I was told.  Now I am a big fan of cruising with my gfs but this time was with the hubby.  I felt bad for him having to experience so many things gone awry...where do I begin?  Ok, the good.... yes there were tons of kids but it was spring break.  I forgot that when I booked.  But we mostly enjoyed watching them pre dinner as they got their pics taken etc.  The staff were absolutely amazing to us.  The MDR head waiters and staff are fabulous.  We were in a balcony but encountered the head butler in the YC who allowed us a tour when everyone else had said no.  We fell in love with it and will book it in the future.  So the staff makes up for the following...No food!  How do you run out of milk/cream/hot dogs/syrup for french toast and dare I say it...eggs! lol  That to me is inexcusable.  (with that being said the service is super slow and it seems as though alot of the wait staff were new and  did not know  too much about the menu etc. but mostly at bfast.  This we can live with...no biggie just a mention)  The thermal spa, which we looked forward to each day, was never working as it should.  It was always a complaint by numerous people that the two whirlpools were too cold...the dry/wet sauna was cold...the steam wasn't on etc etc.  The only warm place was the salt room which is nice but not exactly what you pay for. The complaints were always met with the same give me 5 minutes to reset it or that is the correct temp.  I knew this to not be true as I had been on in Jan and everything was fine.  However, the manager was very helpful and did all he could for us.   I saw numerous people at numerous times get up from a bar stool because they couldn't get waited on .  I really believe they were slammed and did not know how to handle it.  Someone onboard mentioned they had not had this many people since pre covid.  I am back on with the gfs in a couple weeks and hope things are better, although I do recall them telling us in Jan, when there were 500 onboard that they had run out of half and half.  My summation is that corporate is slacking off...from their horrible website to the every day operation coming from headquarters someone needs to step up or they are going to lose alot of customers.  Once again, if it wasn't for the staff I wouldn't book again.  They are the best!  

43 minutes ago, cherylnj said:

I would suggest using a travel agent that is familiar with MSC and their "quirks". 

When I was booking my second msc cruise with my TA she said, Really, Mrs. Kerrigan, do you really want to book with them?  She said they are the worst cruise line she has to deal with lol.  Of course, I went anyway and had a blast and have another two booked this season 😉