MSC Cruises Latest Topics

MSC Grandiosa - passenger tested positive for covid-19

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 03:53:04 +0000

I have never been on a MSC ship, but I think this to be of some interest to the people on this forum. Apparently, the MSC Grandiosa is currently returning to Genoa after a week long cruise. Didn't even know that Europe still have ships sailing. I checked on cruisemapper.com and the ship is completing its week long cruise. However, I found the story about the covid-19 passenger on youtube.com.

The link is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8T-HsBYU2E

CHANGE TO ITENERARY PLUS POSSIBLE CHANGE OF DEPARTURE COUNTRY

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 14:38:20 +0000

Hi, our previously cancelled ( twice!) cruise is due to depart Barcelona in May. Already the itinerary has changed, but now, looking at the covid situation in Spain i would not be surprised if the ship departs as it currently does from Genoa /Rome etc ( Grandiosa).

I know itinerary changes can happen and we have to accept that, but in a change of actual country of departure change, would we have cancellation rights? Thanks.

YC Inside Cabins?

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 17:22:42 +0000

We're investigating the possibility of an MSC cruise and would like to try the Yacht Club experience and are wondering about the Inside Cabins as a way of trying MSC a little less expensive ... will the YC lounge, dining room and pool, would we miss having a balcony? We sail mostly on Celebrity (Elite status) and Royal (Diamond) and appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!

What are my options?

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 07:27:16 +0000

I booked a Med cruise on 16 September 2020 to sail on MSC Orchestra for 7 nights on 14 August 2021 from Venice.

The booking is for me, my wife, and our 6 year old daughter.

Naively, when I booked it I thought that Covid may have died down a bit by August 2021 and things may have returned to a degree of normality. But I fear I am wrong about that.

Firstly, what are the chances of the cruise simply being cancelled by MSC?

Secondly, I do not mind wearing a mask on the ship but it's the excursion arrangements that I don't like. As I understand it, passengers will not be permitted to wonder off the ship to explore on their own, and must book an MSC excursion.

Having looked at the available excursions recently published, there are very few that would be suitable for a 6 year old.

We cruised on the Seaview in 2019 when our daughter was 4 and we had a great time exploring the local towns and cities, doing our own thing (and booking a couple of excursions too); what are the chances of being able to do that in August 2021?

Thirdly, how does the flexible cruise program work? Can I just cancel it and get a refund because I don't like the arrangements, or can I cancel and get FCC? And if so, when must an alternative cruise be booked by, and when must the sailing be?

Thanks

Cruising out of the US in April?

Sun, 24 Jan 2021 22:36:29 +0000

I saw that there are some cruises out of FL in April, and I am thinking about booking them. Any guesses on if they will cancel the trips to the Caribbean in April 2021? I have to book PTO, and it is a headache to reschedule it.

Thanks for any input or feedback

(Before anyone chastises me for cruising during a pandemic, I am fully vaccinated and in my 30s, so I am low risk for COVID.)

Skier 52 - Cabin Question

Wed, 21 Jan 2015 14:11:37 +0000

Hi Skier - Wondering if you have any information on Cabin 9219 on the Divinia? Thanks!

March Refunds Only - is there a "big black hole"

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 12:41:04 +0000

From reading various posts 'lost' under other topics, I think there are others out there who have not yet received a refund that was requested in March. This is my story, in my case I requested FCC and am waiting for taxes/fees:

March 14 - requested refunds

March 29 - cruise date of requested refunds

April 24 - received FCCs in email

Various dates - called MSC many times and have been told everything was processed April 20, my requests have been escalated, have talked to a supervisor two times, and on and on

July 17 - still no REFUND of taxes/fees

Could it be March refunds are sitting in a "big black hole" somewhere in the Accounting Department which apparently is in Switzerland?

Website - Plan My Cruise and Cruise Details unavailable

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 20:17:56 +0000

Logged on today to look at my Dec cruise booking and received the notice that Plan my Cruise and Cruise Details online is unavailable. This was a general pop up message. Is everyone else seeing that when they log on?

Where to get your new ship construction fix?

Tue, 26 Jan 2021 17:00:12 +0000

We've recently gone out on a wing and a prayer and booked the Seashore for February 2022. We've sailed on a few newly constructed ships and there is typically a good deal of excitement and leaked photos and details to be found during the build. This particular board is much slower than I'm used to and I'm a pretty solid internet detective. However I can find VERY little about the Seashore. Is there a dark hole in the internet I am missing or has the pandemic just brought any excitement to a halt?

Equivalent to RCI Diamond Happy Hour??

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 04:50:41 +0000

We are Royal Caribbean Cruisers and are Diamond Level, which means we get 3 to 3.5 hours every day (usually 5.00 to 8.00 or 8.30 on some ships) of free drinks (from a set drink menu but fairly extensive) and canapes which are served in the Diamond Lounge.

Now I know MSC will match levels but do they have similar drinks and canapes for the level that matches Diamond and up???

We are thinking of an MSC Part World Cruise when cruising returns to our part of the world (Australia)

Many thanks,

Kaz

Better chance for US Citizens to cruise from Europe this summer?

Sat, 20 Feb 2021 03:53:17 +0000

So I’ve moved one booking 5 times since last April for a Miami departure. Its sitting on May now and will need to be moved again before the ax comes down for May soon.

I’ve been doing alot of reading, and it seems to me that we might have a better chance of cruising from Northern or Southern Europe on MSC this summer (June-July) than from the US. DW and I are vaccinated, and Europe is having discussions for relaxing entry requirements for those vaccinated with a “Vaccination Passport” (not yet a thing).

The EU says it will apparently have more info at the end of Feb, however if the trend continues steeply downward and seeing the Vaccine manufcaturers have found they are effective against the variants, we may have some relief in sight.

So Im considering moving the May from Miami to Northern or Southern Europe in July. The CDC is at a standatill and roadblock for the phased return they put out, and at this point its looking like at least 4-5 months before there may be some test cruises from the US given all that has to be done before hand.

Point for discussion. We’re booked in Sept and Dec on Virtuosa and Seashore but I really want to get onboard ASAP. Thsi week was a year ago we stepped off Mera, it seems like a lifetime ago.

Seashore......Deck 20

Sat, 09 Jan 2021 22:12:11 +0000

On MSC US site as well as just about every other site I have seen on line including Cruise Critic, there is no mention of deck 20, where the Yacht Club deck, pool, buffet and hot tubs would be located. The only place I found it was here. https://www.mscbook.com/pages/sdl/img/B2B_TA_MSC_Seaside_Deck_Plans-20180416_SH.pdf

The schematic for deck 19 is omitted and the one for deck 20 is in it's place. Why does MSC make things so difficult?

EDIT: https://www.mscbook.com/pages/sdl/no_no/msc-seashore.html

This was the original click through, and then the secondary click under download technical sheet was the Seaside....more confusion.

FCC for April 2021 received in very timely - relieved

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 21:09:22 +0000

Just received FCC for our April 2021 cancellation. All looks good. It appears that now MSC is giving 125% on the total of the cruise price paid, including taxes. In the past, at least with our 2020 cancellations, MSC refunded the taxes to the credit card that was on file and the 125% was paid on the crusie fare. This is a much simpler process. Plus we got 125% on the total amount. Did the math, seems that is what they did. Now my new search can begin. Oh yes, have two May 1, 2021 cruises booked, expect that cancellation any time now, so sad!

Port of Miami webcam

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 22:50:17 +0000

Thursday afternoon, Meraviglia on her way out, Armonia probably on her way in. Neat to watch.

UK Flexible Cruise Programme

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 19:13:03 +0000

Has there been any noise on when the flexible cruise programme will be extended? The website is still only showing for bookings due to depart up to 30th April. We've got a booking at the end of June with friends and would like to sort prior to final payment date which is end of April.

Thanks

Voyagers Club extension?

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 19:03:39 +0000

My last MSC cruise was in March 2019. We had one for March 2020 that was cancelled and we took the refund. We are Black Voyagers Club members (I think that has been changed to Diamond, but I can't get any info from the website). I think the status match program we used about 6 years ago said we had to cruise every 2 years to keep our status active. Does that mean we have to cruise before March 2021 (I know, not going to happen) to keep our Black/Diamond status? Or has MSC extended the deadline?

Thanks,

Tony

Where to "write" to cancel MSC cruise?

Sat, 26 Dec 2020 23:38:28 +0000

We have a sailing coming up mid-March 2021. I suspect it will be cancelled by MSC but regardless at this point we are not willing to sail.

The MSC site says we need to cancel "in writing" by tomorrow - but I can't find how to cancel "in writing" anywhere.

I plan on calling the 877-665-4655 US service number tomorrow, but any advice as to how to proceed would be very welcome!

Grandiosa in Valletta, Malta today: Webcam

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 11:52:17 +0000

The port webcams at Valletta are showing Grandiosa, with crew and passengers coming and going. It looks like a beautiful day!

Changed port of departure, who pays ??

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 13:07:56 +0000

I have a cruise booked on Seaview at the end of August departing from Palma de Mallorca (where i live) what happens if they change the departure port to say Barcelona ( as Palma de mallorca are still not allowing cruise ships to visit) Who pays for the flights to barcelona, or is this good enough reason to cancel the cruise with a full refund. I don't fancy having to fork out another 600Eur and go through the hassle of airports. This cruise has already been pushed back a year due to covid.

Anybody had experience of this ?

Just a note that Palma de Mallorca is one of the ports on the itinery, so they would also have to make a change to this too for all the other passengers.

MSC World Europa

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 12:22:27 +0000

How is the build going with this ship? Has it been delayed as a result of the Covid issues?

So little info currently exists for this ship but I want to be one of the first aboard.

I know it's going to DOHA for the world cup in 2022, but i believe that isn't until December next year? Do we think there will be any sailings beforehand or will they begin pax service from 2023 onwards? Any sailings next year must be close to going on sale soon?

Yacht Club Deluxe Grand Suite – SEASHORE Question

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 18:35:28 +0000

Which suite number on which floor would you choose?

Cancel & Rebook ?

Sun, 14 Feb 2021 11:25:37 +0000

UK BOOKINGS

We have Divina booked for Sept 5th 2021 in YC.

It is now available as a 5%+15% promotion and is showing at a total £771.12 less than we paid.

It doesn't fall under the guest confidence cancellation option so if we cancel is it correct that we would just lose the £100pp deposit? (we have already paid in full)

We could then re-book and save £571.

Do UK cruisers see any issue ?

Thank You

Berlin Tour From Hamburg

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 15:14:51 +0000

Hi....on another thread I asked from which POC can you do a tour of Berlin and one of the answers was Hamburg.

So my question is....does MSC offer a tour to Berlin when docked at Hamburg and if so any idea of tour cost ?

It would be a cruise departing Southampton

Health workers discounts

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 19:17:02 +0000

Hello,

the MSC website claims up to 50% discount for Health workers.

Does anyone actually know what % discount is for what?

Is it time prior to sailing, longer time bigger discount?

There is no clarification on the site.

Any help gratefully accepted.

Thank you

BREAKING: MSC reveals phased restart cruisedates!

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 13:57:16 +0000

MSC Cruises setup sailing Europe, ships start cruising in a phased manner by the summer season 2021.

A look at the first sailing of each MSC Cruiseship who starts and get back into service (only Europe sailings and only Schengen guests can apply).

The first ship, MSC Grandiosa, already did a kickoff of this restart.

Other ships by MSC cruises are planned for Asia, the UK or the USA later on, expected to reveal after the healthplan of MSC cruises will be accepted by port of call countrys.

MSC Fantasia
Capacity at 100%: 3,300
Date: April 29, 2021
Homeport: Genoa
Length: 3 nights
Itinerary: Barcelona and Marseille

MSC Grandiosa
Capacity at 100%: 4,888
Date: Since January 24, 2021
Homeport: Genoa
Length: 7 nights
Itinerary: Civitavecchia, Naples, Palermo and Valletta

MSC Lirica
Capacity at 100%: 1,560
Date: April 2, 2021
Homeport: Venice
Length: 6 nights
Itinerary: Bari, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Split and Rijeka

MSC Magnifica
Capacity at 100%: 2,550
Date: May 1, 2021
Homeport: Genoa
Length: 10 nights
Itinerary: Livorno, Civitavecchia, Messina, Valletta, Piraeus and Katakolon

MSC Musica
Capacity at 100%: 2,550
Date: April 30, 2021
Homeport: Genoa
Length: 3 nights
Itinerary: Marseille and Barcelona

MSC Opera
Capacity at 100%: 1,712
Date: March 27, 2021
Homeport: Trieste
Length: 7 nights
Itinerary: Zadar, Split, Kotor, Corfu and Bari

MSC Poesia
Capacity at 100%: 2,550
Date: May 2, 2021
Homeport: Venice
Length: 7 nights
Itinerary: Bari, Mykonos, Piraeus and Katakolon

MSC Seashore
Capacity at 100%: 4,560
Date: August 1, 2021
Homeport: Civitavecchia to Genoa
Length: 7 nights
Itinerary: Naples, Messina, Valletta, Barcelona and Marseille

MSC Seaside
Capacity at 100%: 4,140
Date: April 11, 2021
Homeport: Lisbon to Genoa
Length: 7 nights
Itinerary: Cádiz, Barcelona, Genoa and Marseille

MSC Seaview
Capacity at 100%: 4,140
Date: March 29, 2021
Homeport: Genoa
Length: 5 nights
Itinerary: Civitavecchia, Valencia and Marseille

MSC Sinfonia
Capacity at 100%: 1,554
Date: April 24, 2021
Homeport: Venice
Length: 7 nights
Itinerary: Kotor, Sarande, Mykonos, Santorini and Bari

MSC Splendida
Capacity at 100%: 3,300
Date: April 20, 2021
Homeport: Genoa to Kiel
Length: 12 nights
Itinerary: Marseille, Barcelona, Casablanca, Lisbon, La Coruña and Rotterdam

MSC Virtuosa
Capacity at 100%: 4,888
Date: April 16, 2021
Homeport: Genoa
Length: 4 nights
Itinerary: Ajaccio, Barcelona and Marseille