MrMike45

13 hours ago, kitkat343 said:

Is this a closed loop cruise?

Yes, Meraviglia, NYC-Canada-New England-NYC

We were thinking maybe not getting off the ship at the Canada ports, since wouldn't be an issue in the US ones.  But then when we get back to NY and go thru customs, what do we show the custom agent? 

We're in a tough situation here and needing some help and guidance, preferably from someone who has first hand knowledge.  Let me explain...

We (me, my wife, our adopted 22 month old son at time of departure) have an MSC cruise booked for 10/18/19 leaving from NY.  My wife and I are seasoned cruisers, and this will be our son's third cruise.  

The adoption of our son is not finalized yet (mainly due to the backlog of cases in both NY and Louisiana (where he was born) in family court).  The final court date is scheduled for 9/12/19, however we have been advised that even after the final ruling it will be 6-8 weeks before we receive any paperwork, including his amended birth certificate listing us as his parents.  

For his first 2 cruises, we were able to obtain a certified/notarized letter from LA Family court listing us as his guardians and prospective adopted parents, as well as granting us permission to obtain a temporary passport on his behalf, which we did.  However, the US Dept of State put an expiration date on that passport of 12 months, as I assume that is what they deemed the appropriate time for the adoption to be finalized.  It expired in June 2019, and we submitted all the necessary (and same as the first time) paperwork to renew his passport for this cruise we have upcoming in October.

On Friday, we received a letter stating that the submitted documents no longer are accepted under the United States travel policy, and that we need to submit an original birth certificate listing us as the minor's parents in order to obtain a passport.  I immediately called the number on the letter and explained everything to the woman I spoke with.  While polite and cordial, in short she told me "tough" and that there was nothing she could do as this was the regulations of the law.  I asked if there was a supervisor I could explain the situation to, and offered to send the most recent letter we received from LA family court listing the adoption finalization date, prior to the cruise, but that we would not receive the birth certificate until after the cruise due to the backlog of cases.  She put in a request to speak to a supervisor, and indicated one should call me back in 10-14 business days!!!  (what?!?!)

As the cruise is in less than 2 months, as you can imagine, we are past final payment.  We are going to Canada and New England (if that helps).  But we're unsure what to do here.  Is a passport required for a child under 2?  Can we get away without one, although he have no other ID for him as his legal name is still his birth name, which is different as mine/wife's last name.  Are we basically screwed here and can't go on this cruise?  

Any help would be appreciated, and sorry for the long post.  

10 minutes ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

I haven't looked today but when I compare the price between one of the cheaper Haven suites and the "standard" Yach Club suite the difference usually is at least $2500 for a one week cruise.

Still a sizable savings, and by no means am I defending NCL's current price increases (heck that's why we are trying MSC to begin with), but not quite as big a price difference as the $4k per person.  

Just now, Valkyrie said:

Ours was about 2 1/2 months out.

So I guess I'm not getting it 😞 

I was told when I booked that for Bella rooms, there is a charge for all kids program choices.  But for Fantasica and above, it is free.  That was definitely a swaying point in us booking a higher up package as our son will be 2 when we cruise in October.  Hopefully I wasn't misinformed? 

1 hour ago, Beardface said:

I'll stick my $0.02 in here...

 

the ridiculous prices on NCL is what drove my wife and I to MSC, and further to the YC.  For a sailing next summer in the Haven on the Encore, it was going to cost a minimum $4k pp for the cheapest room.  Within the YC, we were able to book an inside room at a lower rate than a bare bones balcony with no frills would have cost us on NCL.  Which is fine, it comes with more perks, I'm willing to pay a little more for it.

 

What I will not pay for is to be gouged up front for the opportunity to choose what I want.  I'm already paying multiple thousands on a vacation, I do not want to be nickel and dimed along with it.  And NCL doesn't even fill up the Haven in all of their sailings because of how high a price they set.  MSC has it right, set a reasonable price, people will buy it up, and it'll be a selling point in getting people within the brand.  For the prices that NCL charges, you're better off sailing on a smaller, actual luxury ship, and not a 'ship within a ship'.

I don't think this is an apples to apples comparison, as to the best of my knowledge, there are no inside Haven rooms.  All are balcony rooms, and most are considerably bigger than your average room and balcony.  A YC inside room vs. a Haven balcony room is not a fair comparison.  

What would a YC balcony room with comparable size have cost in comparison to that same Haven room you priced out?  

Open up an NCL credit card.  Pay for the cruise, plus you'll get some OBC 

We're 9 weeks out from our cruise.  When do the bid emails go out?  And are the random like NCL, or does everyone receive them?

21 hours ago, c-boy said:

good question, waiting with baited breath for an answer.

I posted on the MSC boards since lack of response here, and got an answer.

They don't have casino cards like NCL.  Your ship card is used in the casino and inserted into slot machines.  And you can charge your room (without any fee) when the card is in the machine.  As for tables, he believes it works the same, with the card being given to the pit boss to take money out, but he is not a table player so couldn't say 100% sure.  

Do like the no fees.  Don't like that I have to type in my number over and over every machine I go to.  Would rather just take a sum of cash in 1 transaction, but I guess that's not doable.  

Excellent, thank you again 

2 hours ago, Beamafar said:

You can register your cruisecard in the slot machines and charge amounts to your onboard account to play with.  You can cash out any amounts you don't use (the machines print out vouchers which can be used in other machines or brought to the cashier's desk to be exchanged for cash).  MSC doesn't charge a fee for this;  if you transfer $50 to the machine, that is the amount that will show up as a debit on your account.

Thanks Beamafar.  What about table games?  Can I do the same with the pit boss (i.e. ask for $200 in chips charged to my room?) 

I posted this in the Casino section of the forums, but way more traffic here so hoping someone would be able to advise.

On NCL, we are able to get money in the casino and charge our onboard account for a small 3% fee.  Going on first MSC cruise in a few months, and was wondering if MSC allows the same thing?  Don't usually like carrying around that much cash so prefer this method of getting money to gamble with.  

Thanks 

On NCL, we are able to get cash in the casino that gets charged to our on board account, for the 3% fee of course.  

First MSC cruise in October.  Can you do the same thing with them?  Don't like carrying around that much cash, so usually do this on the first night (and if a really bad run in the casino additional times lol).  

42 minutes ago, AmiSwe said:

 

My parents booked it like this on the advice of the rep (whose judgment in hindsight is questionable):

 

Room 1: mother and father

Room 2: Husband and two older kids

Room 3: Me and toddler

 

I don't know why it was done that way (personally I'd have preferred a different constellation) but I figured we could adjust it aboard if we wanted, but it means that the supervision issue is not one we can argue in this case. 

 

 

They probably did this so every under age child does have a supervising adult in the room.  Unfortunately, this might hurt your case of moving rooms back to how they were, as every room is "legal" in terms of adult/child 

@AmiSwe  May I ask how the passengers in the rooms are assigned?  Is it?

Room 1 - Your mother and father

Room 2 - You and your husband

Room 3 - 3 underage children

If so, have you tried arguing the fact that having 3 underage children moved away from their parents and grand parents is against the law, that they have to be under adult supervision and must remain in the cabin connected to yours?  

14 hours ago, kodesthemoose said:

 

What is the purpose of posting this... she said she called MSC and if she's in Sweden it's likely nighttime.  There's so much gatekeeping on CC, just let people ask their questions!!  

The purpose is, as I stated, 12 hours prior to my post she said she would try calling MSC USA Customer service.  

Do you really think anyone here on CC can help her or give her an answer?  If that was me, and I was in the situation she was in, I would be on the phone until I got it straightened out.  You, nor I, not someone with 20 MSC cruises under their belt could do anything to help.  Only MSC could. 

So I wasn't trying to be rude, but I also think the OP should stop posting and start calling non-stop IMO

Not to be rude...but rather than ask questions to people here on Cruise Critic...why not try calling the cruise company, MSC?  You said 12 hours ago you would call customer service again...what did they say? 

51 minutes ago, sidari said:

UK guests now have the DSC included in the price.

That would make things much easier if they did that here as well 

Thank you @eastoftheboston

Does MSC offer the option of paying for your service charges up front, thru their website, like NCL does?  Or do they only charge daily to your onboard account?  

*edit*  added the words "in advance" to title, so people didn't think I was questioning paying them or removing them.  

I think this has been beaten to death already personally, and I don't want to get back into another long discussion.  If someone can prove to me that MSC (or any cruise line) is holding back rooms for people to bid on and drive up the price, then I will change my opinion.  Likewise, if someone can show me that only YC rooms are increasing in cost, while for example, Bella/Fantasica inside/balcony rooms are remaining stagnant, I will change my opinion.  

But it is my belief that prices are going up across the board.  All cruise lines.  All category of rooms or experiences.  In general, cruising has become more expensive, period.  And I do not believe that is due to bidding at all.  I believe it is just the supply/demand, economy, the cruise lines paying for their new billion dollar ships, and in general, a company charging the max. it can without diminishing sales.  

Happens with everything.  Iphones used to be $299...now they are nearly $2000.  Apple doesn't seem to be hurting for customers do they?  If sales suddenly dropped...do you think the next model would go up in cost?  Why should MSC, NCL, etc. be any different? 

On 7/6/2019 at 12:47 PM, TrinaLC said:

 

That is the beauty of it for *you*. For those like me, it means increased cost for what used to be standard means of pricing/picking. 

I believe all the new, bigger, more expensive ships...as well as the surge in cruising as a preferred method for vacationing, is what is driving up the prices...Not a bidding system.

Yes cruise prices have increased significantly the last few years...but so has the number of new ships/attractions/activities offered by the cruise lines, and so has the number of cruise passengers year over year.  

Supply and Demand.  If the cruise companies were charging X and the ship was sold out...and then charges X + 10% and it still sells out...and now charging X + 20% and it is still selling out...why should they stop raising prices?  Once the demand slows down, and ships aren't sailing at full capacity, that's when prices will stop raising.  

Nothing to do with someone bidding on a room.  It's not like YC are the only ones more expensive.  Every room category has increased, on all lines, even those without a bid program.  

I called on Friday to change a booking (USA number on their website) and literally as soon as I finished clicking the prompts for Voyager Club member, already booked on a cruise, etc...someone picked up.  No wait time at all.  

2 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Crashed and burned.  I was the first one out.  I didn’t win one hand.  Closest I came was 2 pushes.  That’s OK.  I enjoyed it, anyway.

Assuming get nada for making the finals? 

how did you do in the BJ tourney?