Give Up On Booking Seaside??

[bwelborn]

I guess I'm not meant to travel on this ship! I submitted for a loyalty match about two weeks ago, I've heard nothing. I have tried for several days to get a rep on the phone to either book or try and get a voyagers number. We took an MSC cruise back in 2008 and I probably have a number. I requested a call early this morning on their website, nothing all day or evening. Tonight I realize that you can now book Seaside without the voyagers number on the website. I have everything plugged in and next step is deposit payment hit continue and it takes me back to search results of cruises. I could just pound my head against the wall. I'm not sure how any of you guys were able to get booked. It's also upsetting that I need a yacht club 2 cabin and very few of them are showing available online.

[riclop]

Lots of people have booked but there web site leaves alot to be desired. We cruised with them in 2009 and i have all my # from all lines in a book so as to not have that problem.

Edited December 29, 2015 by riclop

[saphir]

Only deck 10 and only 4 cabins are available ????

[jchipgcs]

Something's going on for sure. I'm in the Travel Agent back end system and the "book now" button is grayed out for Seaside sailings. Was working earlier today as I grabbed 3 YC rooms but it's down at the moment. So it sounds like the consumer and TA systems are both down for Seaside right now.

[jchipgcs]

Seaside is open again for booking and to the general public, not just Voyagers Club. Just grabbed another 3 YC rooms for 4/21/18.

[bwelborn]

I tried again this morning. When I enter guest info and click continue it keeps going back to the cruise search results. Their website is horrendous.

Edited December 29, 2015 by bwelborn

[cot427]

I guess I'm not meant to travel on this ship! I submitted for a loyalty match about two weeks ago, I've heard nothing. I have tried for several days to get a rep on the phone to either book or try and get a voyagers number. We took an MSC cruise back in 2008 and I probably have a number. I requested a call early this morning on their website, nothing all day or evening. Tonight I realize that you can now book Seaside without the voyagers number on the website. I have everything plugged in and next step is deposit payment hit continue and it takes me back to search results of cruises. I could just pound my head against the wall. I'm not sure how any of you guys were able to get booked. It's also upsetting that I need a yacht club 2 cabin and very few of them are showing available online.

 

I tried again this morning. When I enter guest info and click continue it keeps going back to the cruise search results. Their website is horrendous.

 

I was having the same problems. I did it three times this morning and it kept circling me back. My FIRST mistake was registering for an account online (regular online account, not YC.) - I entered by birthdate wrong and couldn't change it! So I had to call and the agent said that a different dept. does that, so she took my info and instructed them to make the change.

 

I didn't want to book with a wrong birthdate. Anyway, the agent was helpful in that she was a "over the phone reservation specialist" so I booked with her. Let me tell you, a lot more cabins were available than the 4 they gave me...at a higher deck with was nice. She only needed names, birthdates and the payment...no further info like addresses, etc. So it was quick and painless.

 

To anyone having trouble with the awful website, call directly. They are helpful and quick about the reservation process.

Edited December 29, 2015 by cot427

[bwelborn]

Thanks I finally got an email this afternoon from a vacation rep and a direct number to call back. I thought it was weird that no matter what sailing I picked, the same four yacht club cabins were available at the front of the ship. I will be calling in a moment.

[RichNY]

It appears MSC only allows certain cabins to be booked online. When you call them, if you can get through, they will have more cabins available...strange way to do business.

[deliver42]

I learned my lesson when I booked the Divina on their website. I will never do it again. They charged the whole cruise instead of the deposit. I called service and got it straigtened out in 2 days. Anything else I need or want, I call customer service. I rarely had a problem getting through.I am thinking about the Seaside, and will book over the phone with a rep. I'll only use the website for deck plans.

[bwelborn]

So, I went back and read the email the PVC sent with her name and the encouragement to contact her directly. All I got was the generic reservation number that puts me on eternal hold. You would think she might have included an extension number. Never had so much problem trying to book a cruise EVER.

[cot427]

So, I went back and read the email the PVC sent with her name and the encouragement to contact her directly. All I got was the generic reservation number that puts me on eternal hold. You would think she might have included an extension number. Never had so much problem trying to book a cruise EVER.

 

I'm not sure they are allowed to give personal extensions...I'm not even sure they have them. My agent this morning was beyond nice, so at the end I asked her if I should direct any questions and changes to her, hoping to get her direct number/extension but she said "we all work as a team" meaning I could talk to anyone.

 

Weird thing was, I was calling for website assistance, pressed that option and got her. She said she didn't do anything with the website and was a phone reservation specialist...worked out in the end but weird way of getting to her.

[sidari]

Be aware that even if you ring MSC to book a cruise there are currently only certain cabins available to book! the UK office do not currently have Deck plans! plus they also tried to tell me the ship was being built in the USA when it is in fact being built by Fincantieri in Italy.

[bwelborn]

Well, I am done with this. It takes quite a bit for me to get ticked off, but this has done it. I got through today and the less than stellar rep was not too keen on helping me. I said I'm ready to book, gave the sailing date and told her I needed yacht club, what cabins are available? Oh, you have to book a guarantee and then you will get upgraded. No-I never do that, I don't want a guarantee. She says that's the only way you can book and she says you will end up with a cabin so much better. I guess she thought I just started cruising yesterday?

[deliver42]

Bewelborn, try one more time. Ask for Kevin. I've dealt with him and he is quite knowledgeable. I don't

think he will give you a runaround. They don't have extension numbers, so I ask for him. His number that he gave me is:954-958-3285.

[bwelborn]

Thanks for the info; I will see if I can get him. I checked the website again this afternoon and the pricing had jumped by thousands and thousands of dollars. Completely out of whack.

[calgaryhhr]

Thanks for the info; I will see if I can get him. I checked the website again this afternoon and the pricing had jumped by thousands and thousands of dollars. Completely out of whack.

 

Something must have gotten screwed up with their pricing this afternoon. I was looking last night and my travel agent checked this morning and has a booking for Feb 10, 2018 in a Fantastica suite with a price of just under $2900USD for two adults and two kids. That same suite is now over $10,000 on the website. Doesn't seem right at all.

[Imasima752]

Bewelborn, try one more time. Ask for Kevin. I've dealt with him and he is quite knowledgeable. I don't

think he will give you a runaround. They don't have extension numbers, so I ask for him. His number that he gave me is:954-958-3285.

 

I second this suggestion as Kevin helped me two weeks ago when I was having problems booking online. We couldn't book on the 15th so Kevin actually went to work hours earlier than he had to on the 16th, called me to keep me up to date on his progress, got us the room I wanted and by the time we hung up I had the confirmation in my email. I know the website is awful for booking and now will only use it for pricing. Speaking of which, for some reason, the price Kevin got us was $15 less than what was shown on the website - very odd.

[bwelborn]

Yes, it's like the pricing doubled and can't be accurate. They should really get a better web team.