Quick Question about when a Cruise is moved to different dates by the Cruise Company

[markusgecko]

Howdy,

 

Short version - Typically, If a cruise company changes the dates of a booked cruise, are they liable for the costs of us changing flights? (Flights bought separate of cruise company?)

 

Long Version - Was showing visiting family our itinerary for our cruise in Europe next April with MSC. Logged into our MSC account and noticed that the dates, stops and ship had been changed to later in the month with no notification. Checked through E-mails and noticed an e-mail from October (we originally booked in August 2022) with a 'Booking confirmation' title.

 

This booking confirmation (which has the new dates on, but the same booking number) has nothing on it about them changing our original cruise to this, so as far as I can tell there's no other e-mails or correspondence about the change. Sadly, we can't go on these dates and the flights cannot be refunded. Obviously I'm not happy about this and assuming I do at least get our deposit back, are MSC also liable for our flights? I'm guessing not whilst reading the T&Cs, but hope you veterans could help with your knowledge. Thanks!

[LHT28]

Can you find another cruise  using the same embarkation /debarkation ports ?

Or  even some where you could do the train  to get to/from port/airport where you have flights

 

Some cruise lines will off a small fee to change  flights but have no experience with MSC

[Sea42]

When our cruise was canceled, a month before the sail date, we were not offered anything besides a future cruise credit with a bonus amount, in addition to our cruise fare. Nothing was offered for airfare losses.

We kept our air plans and changed our trip to a land vacation and had a wonderful trip. Would that be a possibility for you?

[GeezerCouple]

The flights cannot be refunded, but usually one can pay a modest fee to change the dates or get a credit to use later.

And sometimes one can get reimbursed for the change fees.  Sometimes...

 

I'd be more than slightly ticked off.

We always get third party travel insurance.  I should check how this situation would be covered, or not.

 

Good luck!

 

GC

 

[Host Jazzbeau]

moved to MSC Board

[emmas gran]

Different T&Cs for different countries and no-one can advise you as no country on your profile.

 

This happened to us a couple of years ago with a change of dates and we were unable to go on the alternate dates. I believe our email at the time gave us 7 or 10 days to contact MSC with our choice of options given. You say you had an email in October but didn't state the content, were you given choices? If so MSC surely cannot be held responsible for something you failed to action!!

 

[styles27]

This happened to us for our 01/2022 Seashore booking. I too happened to log in and noticed the departure date had changed. 
 

If you booked your air through MSC they will cover it. If not then you will have to either take a credit or use the flights hopefully for another cruise that works with the flights. 
 

They changed the dates less than a month before the cruise and didn’t notify us. It worked in our favor because we were in the midst of the Omicron Variant and wanted to cancel anyway. 
MSC did refund the full amount of the cruise because they made the change. 
 

By the way we received an email from them notifying us of the change of dates a week after I called and requested the refund. Ridiculous. 
 

[mscdivina2016]

On 12/27/2022 at 5:48 PM, markusgecko said:

Howdy,

 

Short version - Typically, If a cruise company changes the dates of a booked cruise, are they liable for the costs of us changing flights? (Flights bought separate of cruise company?)

 

Long Version - Was showing visiting family our itinerary for our cruise in Europe next April with MSC. Logged into our MSC account and noticed that the dates, stops and ship had been changed to later in the month with no notification. Checked through E-mails and noticed an e-mail from October (we originally booked in August 2022) with a 'Booking confirmation' title.

 

This booking confirmation (which has the new dates on, but the same booking number) has nothing on it about them changing our original cruise to this, so as far as I can tell there's no other e-mails or correspondence about the change. Sadly, we can't go on these dates and the flights cannot be refunded. Obviously I'm not happy about this and assuming I do at least get our deposit back, are MSC also liable for our flights? I'm guessing not whilst reading the T&Cs, but hope you veterans could help with your knowledge. Thanks!

You are SOL unless you purchased insurance with coverage for events like this.   MSC will ignore the T&C and they don't care. The T&C talks about "operational changes".  So you are caught up in an operational change.

I was also. My Yacht club grand suite was taken away and I was given a regular balcony cabin on deck 8 with no reduction in fare.  I was given the opportunity to cancel for free. I got a lawyer and found out how screwed passengers are.

 I always buy refundable air. Expensive lesson if you don't if something happens.

 

MSC also changed my sail date earlier this year and then they changed the embarkation port. This was Seaview this past March.

[Lisichka]

Check and see if the credit card you used offers any protection

[8420PR]

EU terms and conditions allow you find and rebook on an alternative cruise - I'm sure there are others with interesting itineraries in Europe that could fit with your flights?

 

My experience was the email from MSC informing me of the change ignored these t&c - it was either accept changes or refund.   However when I asked to be rebooked on an alternative cruise it was accepted.   I believe US terms and conditions are different, so this might not apply.

 

 

Source:  https://www.msccruises.co.uk/terms-conditions

14.3 Most changes are minor but occasionally MSC Cruises must make a significant change. The following are examples of significant changes when made before you go on the Cruise: A change in the time Passengers are due to leave the UK to go on the Cruise or the time Passengers are due to come back to the UK after the Cruise of more than 12 hours. A change of UK airport from the Passengers were due to fly to or from, except where the change is between London airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, London City or Luton) or where the new airport is within 50 miles of the original airport. A change of cabin accommodation to a significantly lesser grade. A significant change to the itinerary. i.e. when the itinerary has to be changed by more than 50% and may have to exclude an iconic highlight. All changes which are not significant are treated as minor changes and therefore there is no right to cancel or to claim compensation. Please note: MSC Cruises do not classify a change of air or sea port as a significant change where coach transfers between a UK town and the relevant air/sea port are included in the holiday. A change of flight from direct to indirect is not classified as a significant change. In the event of a significant alteration to an essential term of the Contract, MSC Cruises will inform the Passenger or his/her Agent of such change in writing as soon as reasonably possible. If there is time to do so before departure, we will offer you the choice of one of the following
a) Accepting the alteration; or
b) Making another Booking from the brochure and/or from the Official Website of equivalent or superior quality, if available; or
c) Making another Booking from the brochure and/or from the Official Website of lower quality, if available, with a refund of the difference in price; or
d) Cancelling and receiving a full refund of all monies paid.