MSC policy: Transfer to a TA

[BermudaBound2014]

I'm sure it's readily available but I can't find MSC's policy for transferring a reservation to a TA on a North American booking.

 

 Is it 30, 60, or 90 days? Can someone link me? 

 

I should also add,  I would never ever book directly through MSC for all the most obvious reasons, including, but not limited to their extremely poor shore side service; however we have an opportunity for $100 obc if we book through casino's at sea. I'm hoping to book, attach the obc to the reservation, and then transfer the reservation. I do it all the time with RCL with no issues, but we all know that MSC isn't the smoothest operator. In fact, I'm shaking my head at my own proposition lol

Edited October 5, 2019 by BermudaBound2014

[camofwilliamsburg]

Before final payment. The agent fills out a form.

[BermudaBound2014]

10 minutes ago, camofwilliamsburg said:

Before final payment. The agent fills out a form.

 

Can you link me to this policy in writing? If it's true, this is the most lenient transfer policy in the business. 

[BermudaBound2014]

25 minutes ago, camofwilliamsburg said:

Before final payment. The agent fills out a form.

 

This is the article I've found that contradicts your information, but it's dated 2016 and I can't find an update from MSC directly. The article reads .... "As it relates to travel agents, passengers will also be required to transfer their reservations, not yet paid in full, to their agent of choice within 60 days"

 

https://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/msc-cruises-modifies-its-booking-and-travel-agent-policies.html

[April42749]

I can't find a link, but you have 60 days.  You and the agent have to complete a form.  My TA told me he'd only book with MSC if done directly thru him (and his perks were better than a $100 obc).  I'd discuss it with the TA...knowing MSC your casino credit might vanish in the transfer.

 

To add...it might be the most lenient policy but it's also the most complicated policy in the business.

Edited October 5, 2019 by April42749

[BermudaBound2014]

1 hour ago, April42749 said:

I can't find a link, but you have 60 days.  You and the agent have to complete a form.  My TA told me he'd only book with MSC if done directly thru him (and his perks were better than a $100 obc).  I'd discuss it with the TA...knowing MSC your casino credit might vanish in the transfer.

 

To add...it might be the most lenient policy but it's also the most complicated policy in the business.

 

I totally get what you are saying!! My preferred TA won't even book MSC, they said that the company is just too much trouble to deal with. I do have a backup that will work with them, but I also suspect a casino credit may vanish.

 

For clarification, if the policy is 60 days, it is not the most lenient policy, in fact it's pretty standard. When I mentioned lenient, I was referring to Camofwilliamsburg when he stated you could transfer to a TA anytime before final payment. If that were true, it's very lenient, but I suspect the information given by Camofwilliamsburg might be incorrect.

[camofwilliamsburg]

I am sorry. Policies change!

[BermudaBound2014]

1 hour ago, camofwilliamsburg said:

I am sorry. Policies change!

 

No need to apologize, MSc site isn’t easy to navigate and I still cant find the formal policy in writing on MSc’s site. 

[chisoxfan]

I worked diligently to transfer my YC booking after making it directly with MSC (I had no issues with MSC booking process and had a delightful person assist) but wanted some OBC, etc. as I was used to receiving when I book with the big box store in the NW (they don't handle MSC). I searched for reputable MSC agents and several told me that they would not bother offering anything after I had booked. Some of these agents had won awards from MSC! I was directed to an agent from a post on this board (a large well known cruise 'outlet') and the agent fooled around for a few months blaming MSC and I finally told him to forget the transfer.

 

So sorry I am not imparting any real knowledge, just sharing that my efforts were fruitless and I have (I guess) given up trying to find an easy way to make a transfer. Personally on a YC booking if I could not net over 200 OBC or equivalent value I can't see chasing things down.

[frank808]

5 hours ago, chisoxfan said:

I worked diligently to transfer my YC booking after making it directly with MSC (I had no issues with MSC booking process and had a delightful person assist) but wanted some OBC, etc. as I was used to receiving when I book with the big box store in the NW (they don't handle MSC). I searched for reputable MSC agents and several told me that they would not bother offering anything after I had booked. Some of these agents had won awards from MSC! I was directed to an agent from a post on this board (a large well known cruise 'outlet') and the agent fooled around for a few months blaming MSC and I finally told him to forget the transfer.

 

So sorry I am not imparting any real knowledge, just sharing that my efforts were fruitless and I have (I guess) given up trying to find an easy way to make a transfer. Personally on a YC booking if I could not net over 200 OBC or equivalent value I can't see chasing things down.

Booking onboard with MSC future cruise gets $200 obc for YC bookings.

[chisoxfan]

6 hours ago, frank808 said:

Booking onboard with MSC future cruise gets $200 obc for YC bookings.

Thanks for the reply. 

Yes,  we were aware of this and looked to do this during our last cruise. We were unsure of our future travel plans and had difficulty 'hooking' up with the rep. I know it is supposed to be easy and they (she) would come into the YC lounge at certain times but we found ourselves waiting for other passengers who might take a 1/2- hour or more with the rep. This happened a few times and because we did not have specific booking in mind we finally gave up .

 

Not knocking 200 OBC but if we don't have a cruise in mind probably won't do this.  I know some lines let you change a cruise booked onboard and retain the credit, etc. for another booking.

[frank808]

10 hours ago, chisoxfan said:

Thanks for the reply. 

Yes,  we were aware of this and looked to do this during our last cruise. We were unsure of our future travel plans and had difficulty 'hooking' up with the rep. I know it is supposed to be easy and they (she) would come into the YC lounge at certain times but we found ourselves waiting for other passengers who might take a 1/2- hour or more with the rep. This happened a few times and because we did not have specific booking in mind we finally gave up .

 

Not knocking 200 OBC but if we don't have a cruise in mind probably won't do this.  I know some lines let you change a cruise booked onboard and retain the credit, etc. for another booking.

Same experience I had on Seaside in 2017.  Had to wait in line and put down deposits for 4 more cruises. There was no rep in YC at that time to do a booking with.

 

A few months ago, I had to move two cruises to a few weeks earlier than booked onboard.  MSC would not let me move cruises to the new dates and keep the onboard booking deposit and OBC.  MSC said he only way to do this was I would have to cancell my bookings made onboard and put down new deposits.  I dont care about leaving a larger deposit as we have to pay in the end anyhow.  But I wanted the $200 OBC from booking onboard.  MSC rep said that I would not be getting the OBC since this is a new booking was not done onboard.  So even booking onboard for the perks, you might not get it if you have to move sailing dates.

[chisoxfan]

We are resigned that we will get little or no 'extra' when we book MSC.   It  just becomes a consideration when you compare final cruise prices/value between different cruise lines. Maybe in a way it is better to not have extravagant 'extra's offered ie from other cruise boards....'we got 500 dollars in OBC and tips paid, etc.etc.'

Makes you wonder about the other cruise line pricing policies and perks thrown out to travel agents.

At this point what I know is that our one week YC balcony is about 3000 less than cheapest Haven suite  (and even less than an X aqua class on their newer ships so am thinking this represents a solid value.

Happy cruising.