Ask MSC’s Executive Chairman: Call for Questions for Pierfrancesco Vago

[Stockjock]

8 hours ago, Suzieanna said:

I think Stockjock is onto something there.  I have heard people making remarks about others seemingly "pushing in" or "thinking they are better than us" etc.   very unpleasant. 

Yes, and there was a recent thread or comment about YC passengers being insulted and harassed because they cut in line, when it was apparently MSC doing the cutting.  People got really annoyed nonetheless.

Even on my experience in Rotterdam in January, the MSC YC guy was basically ramming his way through the crowd, making physical contact w/other passengers, including me, to get the YC folks to the front of the line.

I wasn't loving it, and guessing most others waiting in that line only to get rammed out of the way by the YC guy, weren't loving it either.

Here's is my photo of the line at Rotterdam, so imagine a guy in a long coat with an MSC Yacht Club sign basically ramming his way through the crowd.  And again, I'm not the only one who has mentioned this.

Edited February 27, 2023 by Stockjock

[Two Wheels Only]

55 minutes ago, Stockjock said:

Even on my experience in Rotterdam in January, the MSC YC guy was basically ramming his way through the crowd, making physical contact w/other passengers, including me, to get the YC folks to the front of the line.

 

That's unacceptable. Whether MSC Yacht Club or NCL Haven. the escort(s) never had to make contact with anyone. Something as simple as those retractable crowd barriers could make the process better. 

 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Stockjock said:

I wasn't loving it, and guessing most others waiting in that line only to get rammed out of the way by the YC guy, weren't loving it either.

 

I understand and agree. It shouldn't be that difficult especially when doing the same thing every cruise. There should be a better standard operating procedure. 

[travelberlin]

Mr Vago could you please delegate someone to solve the issue of non yacht passengers getting irregular access to the Yacht Club facilities? What is the point of paying three times more for the Yacht Club if we are going to experience lines, lots of people, lack of chairs, rude behavior from other passengers, etc? Is this what you wanted to achieve by creating the Yacht Club? It is demotivating for passengers who wish to have a more exclusive experience on your ships. 

Ivi

[Stockjock]

On 3/1/2023 at 12:24 PM, travelberlin said:

Mr Vago could you please delegate someone to solve the issue of non yacht passengers getting irregular access to the Yacht Club facilities? What is the point of paying three times more for the Yacht Club if we are going to experience lines, lots of people, lack of chairs, rude behavior from other passengers, etc? Is this what you wanted to achieve by creating the Yacht Club? It is demotivating for passengers who wish to have a more exclusive experience on your ships. 

Ivi

How are the non-paying passengers gaining access?

[Até]

Does MSC (US) have any plans to resume the relationship with Cruise Critic and reinstate hosting Meet and Mingle events on their ships?

 

To CC administrators: I am assuming that Cruise Critic has been encouraging cruise lines to resume their prior participation. 

[bafinegan]

Dear Sir,

 

 First of all I want to thank you for bringing your product to America.  We REALLY enjoy the European influence.  Please don't become "Americanized".  If we wanted Carnival, RCL or Norwegian, we would book with them.

 

I do have on request tho.  We frequently  travel with extended family.  As such, we naturally want to dine together, especially our evening meals.  My husband and I enjoy good wines so always upgrade to the upper tier drinks package. Please change the policy requiring all diners traveling together to have the same level drinks package to dining together. ( I do understand the need for having the same package if in the same cabin) My one niece is a recovering alcoholic and as such purchases the adult alcohol free beverage package.  It should not affect her ability to dine with the rest of our family.  

 

Thank You!

[LauraS]

On 3/3/2023 at 1:08 PM, Até said:

Does MSC (US) have any plans to resume the relationship with Cruise Critic and reinstate hosting Meet and Mingle events on their ships?

 

To CC administrators: I am assuming that Cruise Critic has been encouraging cruise lines to resume their prior participation. 

 

Hi Ate:

At the current time we have paused all Meet & Mingle gatherings across all lines.  There is no ETA for a restart.

 

Laura

[40yearcruiser]

Mr. Vago, my upcoming cruise on MSC World Europa embarking from Dubai on March 25 is now showing as a POS cruise on my login rather than a Grand Voyage. Does this change the requirement for a Covid test 48 hours before departure since all other cruises out of Dubai no longer have this test required? I have tried calling the US office for an answer but nobody seems to have any idea what the current requirements are. I have tried to find an email address for customer service on your US website, since I can't get an answer over the phone, but have been unable to find any email addresses on the site. Grand Voyages go to many parts of the world and a "one size fits all" requirement makes no sense. No other cruises out of Dubai and none of the ports we visit have a Covid test requirement, so why hasn't this been updated? MSC needs to send a clarification email to all passengers on the POS cruises to advise whether a test is now required. It is very difficult to find a testing site in a foreign country as most have now been closed down so an email suggesting testing sites (or better yet offering testing at the port) if the Covid test is required for a specific itinerary would be good customer service. PLEASE look into this as soon as possible.

Edited March 7, 2023 by 40yearcruiser

[CCAubs]

Hello from Seatrade 2023 in Ft. Lauderdale!

 

The State of the Industry was held yesterday. Due to time constraints, we were limited to just one question per CEO (including thoughts from @shipgeeks!), but it was amazing to have the opportunity to include the cruisers' voice in the conversation for the first time ever.

 

Here's a link to our recap of the event and CEO answers: https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/7330/ Including a photo, too 🙂

 

We received A TON of questions across all of the cruise line forums (and lots of fantastic feedback) for the lines, and are going to be following up by sending all of it their way as well. We'll also use it on the Cruise Critic side for future story ideas, too. 

 

A huge thank you to all of you for sharing your thoughts, questions and experiences -- this community is incredible.

[travelberlin]

5 hours ago, CCAubs said:

Hello from Seatrade 2023 in Ft. Lauderdale!

 

The State of the Industry was held yesterday. Due to time constraints, we were limited to just one question per CEO (including thoughts from @shipgeeks!), but it was amazing to have the opportunity to include the cruisers' voice in the conversation for the first time ever.

 

Here's a link to our recap of the event and CEO answers: https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/7330/ Including a photo, too 🙂

 

We received A TON of questions across all of the cruise line forums (and lots of fantastic feedback) for the lines, and are going to be following up by sending all of it their way as well. We'll also use it on the Cruise Critic side for future story ideas, too. 

 

A huge thank you to all of you for sharing your thoughts, questions and experiences -- this community is incredible.

Thanks. Rather dissapointed. General questions with general answers. I have thought someone from MSC was going to be able to see our questions/request and not that there were going to be selected for a very general meeting. 
In the meantime raised issues remain because no one addressed them.

Thanks for the effort 

Ivi
 

[Gatordad1967]

Please start sailing to St. Thomas and Sint Maarten from Miami.

[Stockjock]

3 hours ago, travelberlin said:

Thanks. Rather dissapointed. General questions with general answers. I have thought someone from MSC was going to be able to see our questions/request and not that there were going to be selected for a very general meeting. 
In the meantime raised issues remain because no one addressed them.

Thanks for the effort 

Ivi
 

I agree.  Only a minuscule number of softball questions with even softer answers.

Edited March 29, 2023 by Stockjock

[Suzieanna]

Well, that was a waste of time. 

[mscdivina2016]

On 3/29/2023 at 4:21 PM, Stockjock said:

I agree.  Only a minuscule number of softball questions with even softer answers.

Might I suggest you send an email to mscdontcare@msc  and a manager will contact you within 24-48 hours😁

[sidari]

Worse than politicians and a somewhat pointless thread.

Edited April 1, 2023 by sidari