Georgia_Peaches

Ugh I’m not thrilled about the kiosk card situation to attach a credit card to your account. Sounds like a real PiTA. I will be on Seashore at the end of august and also a first time MSC cruiser. Thank you for the heads up.

Yeah, I kinda think that too but I've read sooo many threads like these over the years, I should have known better. Hopefully this thread will help someone in the future. Especially now that so many people are getting back into cruising after being gone for a while. I was attracted to MSC because their prices are quite a bit lower than my usual go to's. My TA is offering me additional OBC to make up for it so between that and the 5% discount from the cruise fare (also in the form of OBC) I feel like I've been made whole again.

Yes, they do! I should have read more carefully on their website but since I booked via a TA site, I didn't look. That's on me.

They see it as two bookings. I had a hold on the August cruise that was set to expire so I made the payment. I shouldn't have done that. They could have done the 1 free cruise change but since they see it as two separate bookings, that provision doesn't apply. Jeezzz, you'd think I was a rookie at this...Just out of practice, I guess.

No invoice from MSC but I do have one from my TA. The TA's disclaimer is that "I agree to all the booking rules & regs set by the cruise line." My TA has since sent me a copy of the timeline you posted from MSC. It is a little different for Yacht Club in that the deposit is not refundable....which I now know. But, I just learned that because I have status matched using my Celebrity points to their Gold tier, they have applied a 5% discount to the cruise fare in the form of OBC to my account. It's not the $398 that I paid but it's something and leaves a little less bitter taste in my mouth. My mistake...but lesson learned.

Hello all, I have never sailed MSC but decided to book an October, 2022 seven nighter on Seashore in the Yacht Club. We usually sail on NCL or Celebrity but MSC's Yacht Club rooms were going for less than the others so we decided to give them a try. Shortly after placing a $398 deposit on the October cruise we learned that the dates will conflict with the estimated due date of our grandchild. So, I booked the same ship and itinerary but for August, 2022 instead and asked my TA to cancel the October cruise. She has been on the phone with them on and off for most of the day. They will cancel the October cruise but will not refund the deposit. The rep said that there is an "understanding" that Yacht Club rooms are non-refundable. Sadly, I did not have that understanding since there was no disclosure on the booking that indicated the deposit was non-refundable....that I saw, anyway. Edit to clarify: I booked via my TA website, not directly with MSC. Should the non-refundable part have been visible on the TA's site? My questions: 1. Is anyone aware of fine print that says these categories are non-refundable? Apparently, I missed it. 2. Do I have any recourse as a consumer? Mind you, I've already paid for the August booking in full so they have my business...this time...

I agree! I'm always a little surprised at the discord than can pop up on CC...a cruising forum, of all places!

As a newcomer to MSC and their website your comment is helpful but I think the point that @defbref was trying to make was that you didn't answer the OP's question either. Based on other responses, the gold level gift appears to be a fold up back pack. Perhaps the gift changes often and so a definitive answer would be difficult anyway.

I tend to agree with you MsTabby! We all have to take personal responsibility for any travels we take during covid...which is here to stay. Back in May both DH and I tested positive for covid while vacationing in Belize. Though it was a land vacay, we still had to test negative to re-enter the US as the requirement hadn't been lifted at the time. We were required to quarantine for 10 days before being able to come home. fortunately, we had covid insurance to help with the cost. And despite being fully vaccinated, we still contracted the virus,go figure...was it on the plane, in the airport, at a bar, the beach, or the resort...who knows? But we assumed responsibility for the risk when we agreed to travel. I think the OP is most frustrated by the treatment they received and I can understand that. everything feels heightened when you don't feel well. Still, our first cruise since the 2020 shutdown is on the horizon. I'm over the moon with excitement and even more prepared because of posts like these.

Would you mind expanding on this a bit? We are scheduled to be in the YC on Seaview in October. As we have never sailed MSC, I'm gathering as much info as possible before I make final payment in 2 weeks. TIA

Agree there should be a buffer between quarantine cabins and the rest of the passengers. I’m sorry you and your family got sick. Hopefully your symptoms will subside quickly. we plan to be on Seashore in October. Will definitely take some extra precautions to avoid Covid as much as possible. As you say, one can pick it up anywhere. Seems like it’s here to stay. Even before Covid, I came home from cruising with some sort of bug nearly 50% of the time. Wishing you and your family a speedy recovery.

Are MSC testing passengers throughout the cruise? I don't know the answer to your question but wanted to piggyback because I just booked a 7 night cruise and it was my understanding that there was no required testing unless on a back2back. Hopefully someone knows the answer to both our questions.

Great information for a first timer! Thank you. We will be on Seashore in October in the Yacht Club as well. A few questions, if I may... 1. When you say first round of the mini-fridge was free and anything subsequent to that has a charge...was wondering about other contents such as beers or sodas. Are these items in there as well? And how does this work? Does the room attendant refill consumed items immediately or do they just let the mini fridge empty out before refilling? I guess what I'm really asking is how did you keep track of your first round items to avoid getting charged? Can I just request that the fridge not be refilled? Maybe I'm just over thinking it... 2. On Celebrity there is Cafe Al Bacio where you can get pastry and specialty coffee. Pastry is complimentary but the coffees are an upcharge unless you have a drinks package. Is there a place like this on Seashore? Glad to know that you pay full price for the drink if it goes over $15. I'm used to just paying the difference...wow. Again, thank you!

Yes, I believe so as it is still listed as a perk on their website. But I'm not sure how this would work. So if I get a status match but I've already made final payment, with they give me 5% in an OBC? or refund? Either way it would amount to approximately $250, which is nice...if that's how it works.

Following! We are on this ship in late October. 108 days to go. Am eager for your review as it will be our first MSC experience. We’ve booked the yacht club so probably won’t be bidding on an upgrade. question: are you going to do the status match? I looked at the Voyager Club tiers and rewards but didn’t see much that excited me. Perhaps I’ve missed something and others can chime in on the perks.

YIKES! Good to know. Thank you. I guess I just assumed that with Muster on video in the cabin, card scanning might be more staggered. I suppose this is due to muster completion requirement before sail away...something to think about. I've booked a cabin on deck 16. Though prone to taking the stairs as much as possible, elevator rides are unavoidable. 21 person capacity?!

Yeah, I get that completely. We will likely avoid confined spaces altogether but the Seashore looks to be quite large and pretty wide open from the pictures. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

Appreciate all the responses! Great info. Thank you!

My first post in a long time. It's nice to be back. We haven't cruised since March 2020...second to last cruise since the shutdown. We have waited so long hoping that in doing so, cruising would eventually take on the essence of the good old days. But, the other day some friends of ours were excitedly chatting away about their upcoming cruise and doggone it, it's just time to get back in! So if you'll indulge me some of your expertise, I have a few questions: 1. Are embarkation times assigned (and enforced)? 2. What's muster like these days? Same as before? 3. As I've never sailed with MSC I have no idea what the pre-boarding check-in portal is like. Do you upload your vax card information like you would your passport or do you provide them at the terminal? 4. Is there random covid screening on board or temp checks at the venues? 5. Masking appears to be optional according to the website. Are people masking or mostly not? We are looking to book a YC suite. Anything tips or recommendations? Thank you so much!

We are looking at booking a Seashore cruise for October. As this will be our first cruise on MSC and since the 2020 cruising shut down, I am wondering about the masking policy. We've waited for extra long to jump back in hoping that in doing so, it will feel as close to pre-covid cruising as possible. MSC website says masking is optional on the ship unless in a port of call that requires it. We can accept this but many of the videos I've watched lately show everyone in a mask...albeit they were from several months ago. Insights and experiences on this is appreciated. Thanks, OP for the review.