Advise on cabin assignment

[freeon]

This will be our first MSC cruise and after reading about how MSC tends to mess up booking on their IT side I’m looking for some advice. We’ll be on the Seashore and originally booked an 11 day with 2 overnights at Ocean Cay. We had Aurea balcony on starboard side since they typically dock with starboard facing Ocean Cay. Our sailing is one affected by the temporary closure of Ocean Cay and our cruise got changed from an 11 day to a 14 day and only going to Ocean once. The cabin we had is no longer assigned and now it only shows as guaranteed cabin. I have a few concerns.

Our cruise is now listed as a 14 day under our booking. However, that 14-day cruise doesn’t show up on their website for new bookings, would have to book a back-to-back now to have the same itinerary. Since we don’t have a cabin assigned yet what happens if the same room is not available on either of the 7 days. This means we would have to change rooms halfway. Since our booking is showing 14 days would that even be possible, that they would not have us the same room for the entire cruise.

My concern is that if I call to get a specific cabin and they mess something up and cancel my booking to re-book with a specific cabin that they won’t be able to re book me as a full 14 day as it’s not available and will book us as back-to-back 7 days, in which case I believe I stand a much greater chance of having different cabins for each sailing and having to change after 7 days, also the back to back 7 days would be more expensive than what we have now.

 I’m tempted to call to make sure I have an assigned cabin for the full 14 days and on the starboard side. However, with only 1 stop at Ocean Cay and now with stops at Costa Maya, Cozumel(twice), Nassau, Ocho Rios and George Town is starboard even the best side to be on?

If I don’t do anything, when do they typically assign cabins?

[Tierun]

Firstly, although it shows as a 14 sailing, you will still be treated as a b2b on turnaround day.

I’m guessing you didn’t book with a TA, so I’d call and ask plenty of questions about the cabin assignment process. Don’t make any changes, just inquire about what you’re to expect. Personally, I’d look for Aurea balcony or better. 

[freeon]

9 minutes ago, Tierun said:

Firstly, although it shows as a 14 sailing, you will still be treated as a b2b on turnaround day.

I’m guessing you didn’t book with a TA, so I’d call and ask plenty of questions about the cabin assignment process. Don’t make any changes, just inquire about what you’re to expect. Personally, I’d look for Aurea balcony or better. 

No we didn't use a TA. If I do end up with the same cabin what is the difference between 14 days and back to back 7? I know on turnaround day I have to get off the ship even if it's a full 14. If it's back to back do we have to re do the boarding process or just get off to clear the ship and get back on?

[JamieLogical]

57 minutes ago, freeon said:

No we didn't use a TA. If I do end up with the same cabin what is the difference between 14 days and back to back 7? I know on turnaround day I have to get off the ship even if it's a full 14. If it's back to back do we have to re do the boarding process or just get off to clear the ship and get back on?

 

You won't have to go through security or the check-in process again. You will be told to meet up at a certain place and time with the other B2B passengers on disembarkation day, will be escorted off the ship, will go through customs/facial recognition, and then led back onto the ship as soon as they have achieved the necessary zero count.

[Essiesmom]

If they have your booking as 14 days, you will have one cabin, not have to change.  If you booked an Aurea experience, that is what you will get.  I decided to modify a cruise last week and called their number 877-665-4655.  Have your booking number available.  They were very helpful for me, and should be able to explain what you currently have.  EM

[Tierun]

6 hours ago, freeon said:

No we didn't use a TA. If I do end up with the same cabin what is the difference between 14 days and back to back 7? I know on turnaround day I have to get off the ship even if it's a full 14. If it's back to back do we have to re do the boarding process or just get off to clear the ship and get back on?

Jamie is correct. You could also look into doing a shore excursion while in port.

[Essiesmom]

6 hours ago, freeon said:

No we didn't use a TA. If I do end up with the same cabin what is the difference between 14 days and back to back 7? I know on turnaround day I have to get off the ship even if it's a full 14. If it's back to back do we have to re do the boarding process or just get off to clear the ship and get back on?

You will get a paper in your cabin (hopefully) the last night of the first 7 days.  It will tell you the procedure for the turnaround day.  It will include a credit card sized piece of paper that says consecutive cruiser pass and if you choose to leave the ship for an excursion or other reason, that gets you back in the door without waiting in lines.  I was on a B2B so one longer cruise could have slightly different instructions.  I will find out in December when I am on a 10 day that is also a 3 & 7.

 

 

[freeon]

Thanks for the information. sounds like the process is the same on day 7 whether were booked for back to back 7 or full 14 days. From post above it sounds like for the 14 day we have now we should keep the same room. Which would make sense since it's one booking. If I do make changes and somehow end up being booked as 7 days back to back I assume it would be 2 separate booking and could possibly not get the same cabin. So I guess the only risk in making changes is potential to have to change cabins halfway. I could leave it as is to see what cabin they will assign me and make changes after if I don't like the cabin they assigned. Although there might not be many choices left by then. Anyone know when they typically assign cabins? How long before the sailing?