***** MSC: US Cruisers ***

[Oceans 818]

2 hours ago, bizzle98 said:

Im going on MSC Meraviglia soon and have a Fantastica Balcony Stateroom for 3 guests (including myself). I got an email that i can upgrade to yacht which i always wanted but Im wondering if I bid, will i be paying for just me or the other two guests?

 

It should explain the terms on the upgrade offer. For us as a couple it was always whatever the bid was times 2, but I'm not sure if it's different for 3. If the 3rd is a child it most likely is different as MSC usually has children sail free. 

[Oceans 818]

On 7/31/2023 at 4:42 PM, AjijicMexico said:

I was on the Divina a few months ago, the ship was fine, the crew I came in contact with were great.  MSC communications and customer service is deplorable.   I have heard terrible feed back about customer service at the Ft Lauderdale number but recently experienced it.  I booked a cruise for April 2024 using my voyagers club card discount and a voucher which I had received from the casino on a previous cruise. Booked it, got my booking number, was debited from my Mastercard $300.00.  A week later I am informed the cruise will be rebooked because they did not charge me enough.  They would not honor the original booking MSC did for me.

When you called MSC did you call the casino department both to book and when there was an issue? I know that if you book through the casino department, it's a whole different ballgame than than their regular system. We had a voucher for a free casino cruise once and could only book what it was for and the upgrades were more than booking the cruise without the voucher. Drinks were only free at the casino bar and we ended up buying the drink package. We put out $1000 for our free 7 night cruise plus gratuities. Could have booked the same cruise for $200 more and had wi-fi included. This was just after they started sailing again and prices were down.

The Meraviglia is a beautiful ship, enjoy.

[bizzle98]

1 hour ago, juraspark said:

It should explain the terms on the upgrade offer. For us as a couple it was always whatever the bid was times 2, but I'm not sure if it's different for 3. If the 3rd is a child it most likely is different as MSC usually has children sail free. 

Its for an elderly 😅

[Flygirl99]

Hi, Am just wondering if I need to get a visa for Saudi Arabia before my cruise in Nov on MSC Opera. The govt supposedly has an eMaritime visa for cruise ship pax, should cost about $27 US, but when you go to apply online for an evisa, They only offer a regular visa-which costs over 250.00 but can be used as an eMaritime visa. I dont want to pay this money for a 1 day stop in Jeddah. Any suggestions??

[dog]

Help:--new to this line:

I'm looking at a cruise  out of NYC-Bermuda in April 2024- when I go to choose a cabin it skips that step. Is the website experiencing problems?

Where can I find out if the deposit is refundable?

I also tried the Exp...site and same issues.

 

elite on Princess

 

dog

[Oceans 818]

1 hour ago, dog said:

Help:--new to this line:

I'm looking at a cruise  out of NYC-Bermuda in April 2024- when I go to choose a cabin it skips that step. Is the website experiencing problems?

Where can I find out if the deposit is refundable?

I also tried the Exp...site and same issues.

 

elite on Princess

 

dog

Hi, just checked the .ca site and tried a few different scenarios for the 6 night cruise and there were selections to be made. The only thing I can think of is if you are choosing Bella instead of Fantastica you do not get to choose a cabin. It would be assigned by MSC later, prior to cruising.

Have you already done the status match for your elite on Princess with MSC? From what I've found that could/should get you Diamond level on MSC, which comes with some additional perks.

Have you considered booking through an American cruise travel site? We use Direct Line . com as they give us extra OBC and if you book around a holiday they usually have other perks included. Trip Advisor . com select cruises and it will give you a list of providers with different or the same offers as MSC and you can compare to see what works for you. We booked 2 through Expedia both US and Can and didn't get anything except Expedia points. \

If you plan on booking direct with MSC, you could just call and find out which cabins are available and book by phone with them, we've done that as well and it's not any better than booking through a 3rd party and can be at times more frustrating.

Good Luck and enjoy the Meraviglia, she's a beautiful ship!

 

[dog]

3 hours ago, juraspark said:

Hi, just checked the .ca site and tried a few different scenarios for the 6 night cruise and there were selections to be made. The only thing I can think of is if you are choosing Bella instead of Fantastica you do not get to choose a cabin. It would be assigned by MSC later, prior to cruising.

Have you already done the status match for your elite on Princess with MSC? From what I've found that could/should get you Diamond level on MSC, which comes with some additional perks.

Have you considered booking through an American cruise travel site? We use Direct Line . com as they give us extra OBC and if you book around a holiday they usually have other perks included. Trip Advisor . com select cruises and it will give you a list of providers with different or the same offers as MSC and you can compare to see what works for you. We booked 2 through Expedia both US and Can and didn't get anything except Expedia points. \

If you plan on booking direct with MSC, you could just call and find out which cabins are available and book by phone with them, we've done that as well and it's not any better than booking through a 3rd party and can be at times more frustrating.

Good Luck and enjoy the Meraviglia, she's a beautiful ship!

 

Thanks for the reply.

how do I do status match? Did not know about this.

I found TA near here and can do it online with them in CAD, I prefer.

what are best aft facing balcony cabins, you would suggest?

I cannot find their information on deposits- refundable, or non?

 

[dog]

I found the points guy info on status match but do not have a Princess card to scan. What do I use instead?

[Oceans 818]

12 hours ago, dog said:

I found the points guy info on status match but do not have a Princess card to scan. What do I use instead?

I don't know how Princess works but if you can find an invoice or something that shows elite status? I know they mail you offers from time to time, maybe that would have something on it or if you can log into their website? Is there a # you can call and ask them to email you something? I wouldn't tell them why, but I would try.

Not sure which TA you are thinking of using. I used Expedia Cruises both US and Canada and both times I had to contact them and tell them what I wanted and worse how to go about it. The US site was totally unhelpful when trying to access the booking for check in. The Canadian Expedia TA was near our home. He ended up telling me if I wished to travel MSC in the future to book directly with them as it was not worth his time! There had been a few price reductions by hundreds of dollars both before and after final payment. Prior to final payment I told him to cancel the cruise and I would forfeit the deposit and book it myself at the lower rate. It was worth losing the $400 deposit in savings. After final deposit it dropped another $400 and I asked him to get MSC to either give me OBC or a cabin upgrade. He said they refused and I told him that had I booked with them they would have. I asked him to contact them again and he came back with the upgrade we wanted.

The website prices show the different $ choices. One thing to consider when looking at them is the included OBC for MSC's special offers is usually the same as the price PP difference. Sometimes it is even priced higher than if you only chose the All In with drinks and Wi fi. With the 4/28 sailing it shows the offer with the OBC is $50 more PP than without, so you are not really gaining anything by selecting that one. If you plan on having 5 drinks PP per day the All in drinks and Wi fi pays for itself. By drinks that includes bottles of water ($4 + tx + grat), cappuccino's or take out tea/coffee/pop from the bars. Or a Spanish coffee after dinner etc. As this also includes the add on gratuities and taxes you'd be paying by the drink without a package. It is also, much less expensive than purchasing the drink package separate.

If you have Voyager's club you will get the 5% base fare discount from MSC and may have to ask you TA for it, if not offered by them. They will have to ask MSC, but you will get it. As to additional discount or OBC from MSC, it will depend on how far out your booking is and you will still need Voyager's Club. MSC is different from other cruise lines in that you must cancel and make a new booking for changes  or upgrades. If the new price is higher than what you originally booked at, you pay more, even if it's to change from Bella to Fantastica category

MSC will only status match you once. All people in the same cabin will get the discount and OBC if valid, so it's worth it. Especially if you are Diamond status.

As to deposits, you can refund with no penalty from MSC up until 90 days and then it varies until payment in full, which is non refundable. Except for Yacht club. the terms are different. Go to the MSC site and read the terms and conditions.

You can look at the cabin locations on the ship in the booking without completing the booking on all the different levels available. We've never had an aft balcony, so not sure on that at all, but they are listed under the Premium Balcony category.

You have about a week to figure out the Voyager's club to qualify for 5%+5% disc + $50 OBC PP for Silver, Gold or Diamond status, for booking 9 months prior.

Hope this helps.

[JustCruzin77]

25 minutes ago, juraspark said:

I don't know how Princess works but if you can find an invoice or something that shows elite status? I know they mail you offers from time to time, maybe that would have something on it or if you can log into their website? Is there a # you can call and ask them to email you something? I wouldn't tell them why, but I would try.

 

 

You should become a travel agent! 🤣

One thing to add, when MSC had a cheaper price than TA due to the Voyages Club discount, you can just book through MSC, and then the TA can request a booking transfer, provided the cruise has not been paid in full. This will cancel your booking and create a new one, but if the TA has any other benefits, they should get added to the new booking.

[Oceans 818]

1 hour ago, JustCruzin77 said:

 

You should become a travel agent! 🤣

One thing to add, when MSC had a cheaper price than TA due to the Voyages Club discount, you can just book through MSC, and then the TA can request a booking transfer, provided the cruise has not been paid in full. This will cancel your booking and create a new one, but if the TA has any other benefits, they should get added to the new booking.

I'm a little (or alot!) OCD when I get interested in something!

Good to know. I knew if booked onboard you could transfer, but didn't know about this one.

Love to learn new stuff!!

[Mark_T]

Ignore.

Edited August 28, 2023 by Mark_T

[lor74]

On 8/20/2023 at 10:04 PM, dog said:

Thanks for the reply.

how do I do status match? Did not know about this.

I found TA near here and can do it online with them in CAD, I prefer.

what are best aft facing balcony cabins, you would suggest?

I cannot find their information on deposits- refundable, or non?

 

I am currently on the Meraviglia…my first MSC cruise.  FYI, you should keep an eye on the MSC .ca site, and make sure you are on the mailing list.  I was ready to book via a TA, and then I got an email

about a Can flash sale on their site.  It was by far the best price available, much better than even the best US deal.

 

the status match is easy. Follow the steps right away so that your account will be ready with the extra discount if you go ahead with a future booking.  

[Oceans 818]

14 hours ago, lor74 said:

I am currently on the Meraviglia…my first MSC cruise.  FYI, you should keep an eye on the MSC .ca site, and make sure you are on the mailing list.  I was ready to book via a TA, and then I got an email

about a Can flash sale on their site.  It was by far the best price available, much better than even the best US deal.

 

the status match is easy. Follow the steps right away so that your account will be ready with the extra discount if you go ahead with a future booking.  

Absolutely, keep an eye on the .ca site as occassionally, MSC makes offers on one site but not both.

Anything MSC offers on their site, should be no problem booking through a TA, if they don't offer it, you should always ask them about it. I've found some TA's don't always offer the best price for trips upfront, unless asked.

US cruisers should be looking at the .ca site as with the dollar exchange it may save them hundreds as well. But I've found Canadian TA's aren't ususally offering any extra's for booking a MSC cruise with them, unlike their US counterparts.

Most people aren't interested in comparing as they feel it isn't worth their time. We're retired on a fixed income and can only spend the money once, so when I save a few hundred, I'm happy!

Our upcoming Dec. cruise was hundreds less to book through an American TA back in February. It was 46% higer in CAD and the exchange rate was 34%, making it 12% cheaper to purchase in US. The cruise has price increased by 58% US and the CAD price is only 33% higher, which is better than the current exchange rate of 36.5% making it 3.5% less to purchase in CAD, which would be more than a $120 + in pocket on the cheapest booking available. But each cruise is different and savings will vary.

How are you enjoying the Meraviglia? They were offering some really amazing deals ont he NY sailngs. Is MSC comparing well with your other experiences?

[lor74]

How are we enjoying….a review will be coming.  Prob our first and last MSC cruise!

[Oceans 818]

31 minutes ago, lor74 said:

How are we enjoying….a review will be coming.  Prob our first and last MSC cruise!

Sorry to here that.

We've enjoyed ours for the most part, except for a couple little hiccups. With the exception of the 3 day cruise part of a 10 day last December, but that was the quality of the cruisers and not really MSC's fault the ship was full of entitled, loud, obnoxious partiers. That was also the Meraviglia out of Port Canaveral. It was a turnoff for sure. Hoping it doesn't repeat on the 3 day part of our December sailing out of Miami.

[Rosebud5t]

On 10/15/2023 at 12:08 PM, lor74 said:

How are we enjoying….a review will be coming.  Prob our first and last MSC cruise!

FWIW ... I feel ya! I love MSC, but would never have sailed with them again if my first had been on the Meraviglia (and I was even in Yacht Club for that!). Especially a short cruise. If you do try another one, do a longer one on a bigger ship like the Seaside, or the other "Sea.." ships. 

[Fogfog]

We have had 6 stellar MSC cruises since 2020.

2 in 2020 (2   7 night cruises) right before shut down, and then 4 cruises in 2022.

We have booked 2 for 2024 and look forward to them.

 

In the past the landside of things has been difficult and the ship side stellar.

Things seem a bit better land side booking and we hope the ship side is as great as we have known it to be in the past. 

[Educatoria]

Could anyone please explain for the first-time cruiser if Easy Plus package includes drinks up to $9 or $10 after all? I am a bit confused as both prices are circulating in various information sources. I am not concerned about the $1 difference 🙂 but as a lot of their drinks are priced at $10, I am wondering if you must pay full price exceeding your price limit or just cover the difference. 

[Oceans 818]

Hi, The following is cut & paste from our upcoming booking.

"Includes all beverages priced up to 9 euro / 10 dollars: choice of frozen and classic cocktails, fresh fruit cocktails, protein shakes, well spirits, liqueurs and cordials, draught and bottled beers, non-alcoholic cocktails, bottled mineral water, hot drinks, 10% discount on bottles of wine purchased on board, wines by the glass and beverage gratuity."

 

If you bought the Drinks & Wi-fi package or if you pre-purchase it includes all taxes & gratuities. It is good for Ocean Cay & in any specialty restaraunts if you book one. Most frozen drinks are included as well, like frozen Marguritas & Pina Colada etc.

I tried to check how much it would be to purchase as an add on but my bookings aren't showing any additional items right now. I don't know why as they were last week.

Hope this helps

 

[JustCruzin77]

3 hours ago, Educatoria said:

Could anyone please explain for the first-time cruiser if Easy Plus package includes drinks up to $9 or $10 after all? I am a bit confused as both prices are circulating in various information sources. I am not concerned about the $1 difference 🙂 but as a lot of their drinks are priced at $10, I am wondering if you must pay full price exceeding your price limit or just cover the difference. 

I just returned from an MSC cruise this month. The package includes any drink up to $10, anything above that you will pay the difference. There are a lot of drinks to chose from in the $10 range. 

Edited February 27 by JustCruzin77

[Oceans 818]

28 minutes ago, JustCruzin77 said:

I just returned from an MSC cruise this month. The package includes any drink up to $10, anything above that you will pay the difference. There are a lot of drinks to chose from in the $10 range. 

Hi, I heardd MSC was going to just paying the difference; but wasn't sure if it had started or not. Glad to hear they have! Thanks

[Educatoria]

Their website says $10 but my confirmation is as follws:

 

456P3 - ALL BEVERAGES PRICED UP TO S9! CHEERS TO BOTTOMLESS BEVERAGES ALL DAY LONG! THE EASY PLUS PACKAGE INCLUDES YOUR FAVOURITE FROZEN AND CLASSIC COCKTAILS, WELL SPIRITS, LIQUORS AND CORDIALS.

 

Threfore, I got a bit confused. But if you only pay the difference, it should not be a big deal anyway.

[JustCruzin77]

5 hours ago, Educatoria said:

Their website says $10 but my confirmation is as follws:

 

456P3 - ALL BEVERAGES PRICED UP TO S9! CHEERS TO BOTTOMLESS BEVERAGES ALL DAY LONG! THE EASY PLUS PACKAGE INCLUDES YOUR FAVOURITE FROZEN AND CLASSIC COCKTAILS, WELL SPIRITS, LIQUORS AND CORDIALS.

 

Threfore, I got a bit confused. But if you only pay the difference, it should not be a big deal anyway.

If your sailing is full, be sure to book any specialty dinning or extra charge performances on the first day. We we're lucky with only a half full ship so it was very easy to make reservations.