luvavacation

I am afraid the times of great perks for being a TA are long gone. Now the best perk is just a happy client that comes home and thanks you for helping them have a wonderful vacation with their friends and family!

What she said!!! Thankfully my clients' cruises haven't had their OBC go missing, but mine did! Months before my cruise, I had called MSC's TA line regarding something innocuous. The agent erroneously removed my Voyager's Club OBC, and she couldn't get it back. I couldn't cancel and rebook due to it being past final payment. After phone calls, emails to MSC existing reservations, and Voyager's Club, and even the TA business development managers, I had not one reply. Not one! It wasn't until I was on the ship, and thankfully in Yacht Club with a concierge who emailed Naples, Italy, that I received my OBC. And no, this wasn't a special TA fare - I paid for Yacht Club because it was a great price when booked last year. I am glad it was my own booking that had the issue, but it is unbelievably frustrating to be a TA, trying to do right for your clients (or your own family, in my case!), and realizing that unless you have the email for MSC in Naples, Italy, you are going to have a hard time fixing any issues. I don't blame other TA's for not wanting to deal with the mess of MSC customer service. If MSC truly wants to court the North American clientele, they need to improve the customer service. I am from Europe, but I grew up in America - I am familiar with the different, less "customer focused" mindset for companies overseas, but if you market for the States, someone in corporate has to realize the customer service game needs to step up a notch.

Yes, it can happen on any other line. The true colours of how a line is run show in the handling of an event that affects so many guests in a negative way. MSC handled the whole 3 day sailing very badly. This isn’t their first rodeo. They should know what to expect and accommodate. At least pass out bottles of water and have tents for shade set up. My family had a cruise on a different line that had what was an unexpected delay in boarding. A ship full of people were waiting outside. That other line had the foresight to set up tents and hand out water. After awhile, the cruise line mascot even came out to greet people. And that was all for an unexpected situation. This was not unexpected. Then, the continuing onboard issues many experienced were just a lack of quality control. MSC’s home office handled it all terribly.

100% agree. We were Yacht Club and Diamond members on this cruise. While our butler and his helper tried to make up for the failings of the MSC main office (no information about pre-cruise questionnaire, no delivery of Diamond perks, newspaper only one day, err make that the 2nd night at turndown, etc), there was no excuse for the overall lack of care nor service on this sailing. Not to mention, this is not the first time MSC has had a ship at Port Canaveral, nor the first time a ship has had a Coast Guard inspection. The 4+ hours in a line that snaked around with 3 different turns (at least), the MSC rep that was directing everyone into the crazy long line at boarding, denying that Yacht Club reservations were supposed to go to the white tents to the right (as he told us and and the family in front of us, "they are just going to send you right back to this line and you will lose your place"). Numerous erroneous charges on shipboard accounts, numerous times being told "trust me, I will take care of it, it will be removed", only to find it never was. Even being told that an email had to be sent to Naples for accounting (Naples FL? No, Naples Italy!). Onboard personnel that should have the power to take care of problems can't do anything because they need permission from Naples, Italy. The whole cruise was just a cluster "flip" (don't believe I am allowed to really say what it was). Then debarkation. Another cluster "flip". Shipboard account all finally correct on last morning, no issues according to concierge, then we aren't allowed to exit the ship because when the card is scanned, the shipboard account shows "not settled". Grrrrr. Get us off this ship! The one thing this cruise did do was make us glad we were Yacht Club, because not only was boarding easier for us once we walked around the MSC rep that denied we were supposed to go to the white tents (though it still took about an hour to actually get on the ship, which has not been what we have experienced on previous MSC Yacht Club cruises, but at least we were inside and had refreshments), but our butler escort off the ship also helped rectify the issue with the "not settled" shipboard account glitch without having us have to go back up to the concierge. People not in Yacht Club cabins with the same issues (and oh were there many!) had to get out of line and go back to guest services, figure it out, then once again had to go back into the very long, hours long, line to get off the ship. MSC Meraviglia was a huge disapointment. Oh, and that extra $50 shipboard credit given on the day before we depart, when there isn't really time to go spend that non-refundable credit? That should have been given on the first night. No way MSC should have dragged out any type of Goodwill gesture, as it just made people more and more irritated and feeling that MSC had no desire for good (I won't even expect "excellent"!) customer service. Don't get me wrong, I am glad the MSC powers that be in Naples, Italy, finally realized they had to do something, but it was too little, too late. Jury is still out if my family decided to do MSC again. What we do know is that, if we do sail again, there is no question we will be in Yacht Club, because at least we had a more personal experience with our butler and concierge trying to rectify bad situations. The people at guest services having to deal with 4,000 or so angry people is something we are so glad we did not have. If it's going to be a cluster "flip", at least have it be in an area with fewer people! But hey, Ocean Cay was nice! At least there was that!

Well that totally stinks. We had hoped to get on around 11, as that is what we have done on our previous cruises. Now my boarding pass says 3. It is already a short cruise, taking away 4 hours of exploration on board with early pool time shortens it even more. Not to mention, denying my taste buds the gelato even longer today! I know it can't be helped, and what must be done must be done; I am grateful to be able to go on a cruise, I just had to whine a little.😆

If we decided to do the Himalayan Bridge course, what type of shoes are required (closes toe like gym shoes, or sandals with secure ankle straps ok?). Also, clothing requirements? Is a tank top and shorts ok or does it have to be long pants and t-shirt?

We do like the Cirque type shows, and have seen a couple of the Cirque du Soleil branded shows inland. The acrobatics tossed into what might or might not be a story on the unique MSC shows (might be different now; haven’t cruised since before Covid stoppage) have always impressed us, but I suppose we just don’t see the value in this option with the drink. Wish it was offered without the drink, but hey, 2 more seats for others to enjoy the production. If it’s anything like what the regular shows offered, it will be impressive!

Thanks for clarifying. Might just skip those shows in that case. We have seen a few of the shows on various MSC ships, and they all seem to offer some sort of acrobatic/juggling/dance sequence within them. Can't see paying for the Cirque type of show when it's similar to the previous offerings from MSC (at least, from what I have watched on youtube). My family still laughs at the Benny Hill music and dinosaur chase during the MSC version of Peter Pan meets Pirates of the Caribbean a few years ago. If nothing else, it was definitely quite hilarious, but the acrobatic sequences (which had nothing to do with pirates, or lost boys, or treasure, or even fairies) every 5 minutes or so were truly amazing. I just don't know if it is something we should make the time for.

Meraviglia has a couple pay shows from Carousel at Sea. The paid shows include a drink. We already have the drink package. Is part of the show payment credited back to us? Just seems somewhat redundant. Or, is it possible to just reserve the show? Is there an option on board to just go see the show, or is the only way to see it is to pay for it?

Thank you!

Filling out the information for an upcoming cruise. Passport info is in, emergency contact, credit card info, etc. There is one question that asks if we have been vaccinated, and I answered in the affirmative. There is no link at all for a health questionnaire. All info is entered, I have reached the end of the online check-in, and I receive a notice that it is incomplete due to health questionnaire and also a passage contract. I have gone over everything and cannot find any link to these items. Is this a new glitch since the Covid testing requirements changed? Anyone else have this issue recently?

My family and I recently visited La Casa en La Playa. There were some good things, and some things that have made us decide it isn't a place we would go to again. The good... Mama, the proprietress, is a fun, joyful lady. We all had some great laughs during the bus ride to and from the excursion. One caveat - this is not a kid-friendly bus ride if one is wary of having children hear off-colour humour. It was very suggestive at times. For adults, well, we laughed. The employees all seemed pleasant. None were pushy, and the only person walking around drumming up business was the person braiding hair. She was not demanding at all, and we did not find her intrusive as can be the case at some beaches. Dogs on premises! And puppies! Now, these are beach dogs, not the well-groomed, perfectly clean house dogs some may be used to. As long as you remember that perspective varies on how dogs should be treated from country to country, then you will be fine. After all, the dogs were very friendly, eager for some petting, and the puppies were adorable little cuties! The included drinks were fine if you are someone that doesn't drink often and thus doesn't know if a drink is a good or bad choice. Cokes and water tend to be more our style, and there was always a Coke and a bottle of water available at the bar (though I did have one of the included rum drinks and I liked it, but again, I am not a drink connoisseur). Lunch was fine, chicken was cooked perfectly, but if you are a strict vegetarian, you may have some trouble finding enough to satisfy your hunger after walking and playing on the beach. One can walk the beach in both directions and not be bothered with loud parties. It was a very quiet area, easy to relax. Bathroom was clean. Did not find a swarm of flies buzzing around, which is always a plus at a beach bathroom. Fried plantains were made on site, very fresh, but there was a charge for them so bring some cash if you would like to have some plantains. The not-so-good... We had read about the variety to choose from at the meal. There was instead a very limited choice. We had coconut shavings, papaya, sliced cucumbers, salad greens, white rice with a spattering of black beans in it, spaghetti with red sauce, and aforementioned grilled chicken. There was no fish option, so if you prefer fish for your protein and expect it due to reviews, it was not served while we were there. Only one toilet for men, and one toilet for women. I suppose the ocean is also there if needed (as suggested by a person standing in line), but this did make for lines at the women's toilet, so plan accordingly if you start feeling the need to "freshen up". This one was a major problem for us - the glass on the beach. And in the sand by the chairs. The glass hidden in the sand as you walk by your beach chair (one could argue that the glass on the beach was swept in from the sea, but there should not be glass as you walk around your beach chair). The broken glass bottles found on the shoreline with jagged edges sticking up. I had accidently stepped on a hidden jagged edge of a bottle and had the glass poke through my water slippers. We started picking up glass and had a nice large pile within an hour's time. There was still plenty left for others to find! I have no idea what happens at this beach when tourists aren't there, but I have never been to a private beach with this much broken glass. It was dangerous. As I said, there were aspects of this excursion that we did enjoy, but overall, considering the limited meal options that were not as described by the cruiseline, and the glass filled beach, it is not a place I would consider returning to, at least, not for the price that we paid.

My husband and I probably should have looked into this sooner, but in all honesty, after 4 cancelled Covid cruises, I didn't want to get excited about actually being on a cruise. Now that the cruise is a week away, I suppose it is actually happening! And we don't know what to do in Grand Turk! None of the Princess offerings appeal to us. We do not wish to sit on a bus and see things through a window. My husband really, really enjoys forts and military things. I like old buildings, churches, and especially uncrowded beaches. Are there any recommendations for a tour or private option to see some of the sights on Grand Turk? Or is it rather easy to rent something and do this on our own with a guidebook?