SirWolf

It’s more complicated.. the cruise industry faces challenges introducing LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) powered cruise ships:

MSC World Europa (2022)

MSC Euribia (2023)

MSC World Class Unnamed (2024,2025,2027)

Most LNG ports in the U.S. are on the East Coast and in the Gulf of Mexico.

Additional ports are proposed and in planning.

Just a few ports are capable of LNG bunkering by barques.

Cruise companies have to balance the wish-list of ports from passengers and ports suitable for certain types of cruise ships (LNG powered).

19 minutes ago, 4sallypat said:

I'd be more worried about catching Norovirus than worry about food handling....

.. from Mayo Clinic website ..

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/norovirus/symptoms-causes/syc-20355296

“ Norovirus infection can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea that start suddenly. Noroviruses are highly contagious. They commonly spread through food or water that is contaminated during preparation or through contaminated surfaces. “

13 hours ago, cruiseguyinorl said:

Guess you missed this part when you booked it?

OCEAN VIEW YACHT CLUB CABANA (max 6 pax) - ONE DAY RENTAL (YC GUESTS EXCLUSIVE)

 

No reason to be "unhappy" with the cruise line.

Showing the booking option for a Yacht Club Cabana to a passenger with non-YC reservation is still confusing/misleading but rather a software problem. The offer could be legit if MSC wants to promote the Yacht Club and offers YC add-ons to non-YC passengers to get a feeling of the atmosphere and service in YC. How should the passenger know ?

21 minutes ago, 20165 said:

Thank you, thats exactly what we are going through.  Its not like we dont want to renew and travel with a passport for my wife, the passport agency keeps saying we need some proof that her last name changed so around in circles we go.  Also, this was almost 30 years ago and we have never had an issue renewing her passport until now. 

We are almost to the point of just having them change the name to the name on her birth cert, but then it wont match any of her other documents.  Drivers license, SS card, etc. 

What kind of passport agency are you using ?

Local post office, library ?

The U.S. Department of State has passport centers in Washington and Atlanta, GA, closest to where you live in NC.

On the website of the U.S. Department of State you’ll find information how to make an appointment.

Link: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/get-fast/passport-agencies.html

You can call to explain the situation and find out your options.

The underlaying issue is that some people simply don’t care about anything and anyone.

Social etiquette is enforced by group pressure, not by cruise lines or airlines.

Some responses to this threat show that people tolerate this kind of behavior such as barefeet in the buffet restaurant or barefeet on chairs and sofas. Such behaviors shows disrespect for other guests and selfish attitude.

The question is who sets the parameters what’s tolerated and what’s not ?

No shoes at the buffet is o.k. ?

How about no shirt .. or no pants ?

Etiquette has served as a code of social behavior for centuries. Unfortunately public etiquette has declined over the last 10 years.

LEFT column is YES

RIGHT column is NO

(.. if I remember correct ..)

Mark the corresponding circle with an X 

Were the $250 the initial deposit/hold for the entire cruise ?

How was the Daily Service Charge DSC billed ?

MSC usually charges DSC to the board account against the $250 deposit.

We found a rubber duck while cruising the Caribbean on MSC Seascape in July 2022.

We took a photo and posted it on the FB page

of the family (QR code on back of card attached

to rubber duck).

Finally placed the rubber duck in public area..

next to a decoration (vase) in the area of

speciality restaurants.

We placed the rubber duck on a low shelf..

easy for children to find.

I (we) never rented a cabana on Ocean Cay.

We usually pick sun loungers and umbrella at the far end to have some privacy. Beverages and towels are provided by butlers and we have lunch in Ocean House restaurant (included in YC).

We don’t stay on Ocean House Beach the whole day, just for 2-3 hours.. the $400 are not worth for such a short stay in my opinion.

$400 can buy sports activities on Ocean Cay and/or full-day excursions in other ports.

15 minutes ago, thistimeplease said:

I disagree.  The crew work very hard long days and if one benefit is that a family member is allowed to use the Yacht Club I see nothing wrong with that, especially since it is probably up to the discretion of the Hotel Director.  I do agree that Yacht Club families sneaking others into the Yacht Club is entirely wrong.

.. just for my understanding ..

Are you promoting “Bring your family to work” vacations in Yacht Club for families of crew members ?

If this would be case .. I would never book another cruise in Yacht Club.

Some passengers need to work very hard and/or save money to afford sailing in Yacht Club.

I am spending this kind of $$$$ not easily and expect the exclusivity promised by MSC.

There is no cruise ship of MSC named Fantasy.

MSC Fantasia was completed Dec 9th 2008 and christened on Dec 18th 2008 in Naples

.. 1 year after your sailing in 2007 ..

19 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Heard some of these "access" get up as early as 4 am and reserve for themselves the available cabanas (first come, first serve policy on the Seascape).  Actual YC guests are oblivious to what is occurring. They don't know that the prime real estate is being occupied by NON Yacht Club guests. Like RCCL and its NON suite Pinnacles, MSC has its NON Yacht Club guests with "access". Many are friends and family of officers. Others are family and friends of YC guests outside the YC that are smuggled in (wormed in) or given the wrist bands to gain access. On our recent cruise there were 44 ‘official’ additional friends and family using the Yacht Club venues besides the 310 YC guests.

.. don’t get me wrong .. I am just curious ..

How did you got proof that a person or a group of individuals are not YC passengers ?

Not every YC guest is wearing the wristband.

Who provided the ‘official’ number of 44 friends and family ?

11 minutes ago, ellie1145 said:

Many thanks.
 

Does that mean you can’t see anything? Or can you see the horizon or a bit of sky? 

The view is partial obstructed..

You can see the sky and horizon.

The partial obstruction is a lifeboat.. the window is barely above the lifeboat..

.. from MSC Cruises USA website ..

VENCHI GELATI

Indulge your cravings with an authentic Italian gelato made by Venchi, world famous and founded in 1878. Made only with finest natural ingredients, the decadent flavors include extra dark chocolate, mellow gianduja hazelnut and fruit sorbets. La dolce vita indeed!                                                 

Available on: MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview

Type of service: Charges apply

1 hour ago, edmaine said:

Is this a Premium Suite with Terrace, Premium Suite, a Deluxe Suite or a Grand Suite?? 

The photos posted above (reply #4) are from stateroom 13299 on MSC Seashore.

~ SL1 ~ Premium Suite Aurea ~ Aft Corner Suite

40 minutes ago, Avatar345 said:

 

How did the furnishings/fixtures/finishes in the Aurea suite compare to the Yacht Club suites? Wondering specifically about the bathroom, but linens etc... anything that comes to mind as having been either markedly different or more or less similar 🙂

We noticed only minor differences between Aurea Suite SL1 and Yacht Club Deluxe Suite.

Bathroom vanity:

Aurea ~ Corian (type) countertop

YC ~ Granite (type) countertop

Aurea ~ Shower ~ NO rain head

YC ~ Shower ~ rain head

Towels are same or similar quality,

YC towels are embroidered with YC logo.

Aurea ~ Shower with wall mounted foot rest

YC ~ Shower with bench

Identical vanity faucets in Aurea and YC bathrooms.

Furniture and decorations are similar..

slightly different color schemes.

Aurea Experience comes with dedicated dining room for dinner on most ships, access to Aurea Top19 sun deck and access to Aurea Thermal Spa area.

Suites are the largest non-YC cabins.. available with Aurea Experience.

Yacht Club is the Experience..

“ship-within-a-ship” concept with its own

categories of suites.

Example: MSC Seascape

• Inside (Bella / Fantastica)

• Ocean View (Bella / Fantastica)

• Balcony (Bella / Fantastica / Aurea)

• Suite (Aurea)

-> Junior Suite Aurea

-> Premium Suite Aurea

-> Premium Suite Aurea with Terrace

-> Premium Suite Aurea with Whirlpool

-> Grand Suite Aurea

-> Two-Bedroom Grand Suite Aurea

• Yacht Club Interior Suite

• Yacht Club Deluxe Suite

• Yacht Club Deluxe Grand Suite

• Yacht Club Owner’s Suite

• Yacht Club Royal Suite

Your DH made a smart choice..

enjoy sailing in Yacht Club.

We sailed on MSC Seascape in stateroom 13299 and enjoyed the size and location of the cabin. We usually book YC but only Aurea was available due to last minute booking.

No noise from the 2 elevators and no long waiting times.

We would book SL1 Aurea anytime again.

Good choice.. enjoy your cruise.

It looks like that these designations are place holder for cruise destinations..

same as YC1 for Yacht Club Deluxe and SL1 Aurea are place holder for stateroom categories/experiences.

My bookings are now..

POS ~ Grand Voyage / Repositioning

EMW ~ Dubai, Abu Dhabi & Qatar

Cruise ships , embarking dates and itineraries are unchanged.. all good..

.. from MSC USA website ..

Payment due date depends on length of cruise and other variables like date of booking.

==========

2. CONTRACT AND FINAL PAYMENT
 

Every Cruise Package is subject to availability at the time of Booking. No Contract shall be made until the deposit or the full amount (according to the present Booking Terms and Conditions) is paid and the confirmation invoice provided to the Passenger or the Passenger Travel Agent.
For all cruises (excluding World Cruise) full payment is required no later than 75 days prior to departure for cruises with 4 nights or less, no later than 90 days prior to departure for cruises with 5-14 nights, and no later than 110 days prior to departure for cruises with 15 nights or more.
For World Cruise, full payment is required no later than 120 days prior to departure.
If the Booking application is made within 75 days (or 90, 110, or 120 days, as applicable) prior to departure, then full payment must be sent at the time of Booking.

==========

1 hour ago, jules815 said:

When is the new terminal for Seascape expected to be operational? Any chance we'll be sailing from the new one in early September?

..as per MSC website (March 2022)..

the new MSC cruise terminal will be completed by December 2023.

Link:

https://m.msccruises.com/en-gl/Mobile/About-MSC/News/MSC-Mega-Cruise-Terminal-In-Miami.aspx

You can verify the exact mooring location by using one of the many free marine/cruise ship mapping websites .. in the morning on the day of embarkation.

MSC Seascape is in port of Miami at the moment

.. at cruise terminal C .

MSC has mandatory Daily (Hotel) Service charge per passenger in all of their Experiences (booking classes) including YC.

Daily Service Charge is no tipping fee.

..from MSC USA website..

During your cruise, you will meet staff throughout the ship who provide you with excellent service. They are supported by just as many staff and crew who work hard behind the scenes to ensure you enjoy every moment on board. For your convenience, MSC Cruises will automatically add a daily Hotel Service Charge to your shipboard account, based on your chosen itinerary and the number of days for which the services are actually provided.

The Hotel Service charge serves to ensure we maintain the highest quality standards of service to our guests. The daily amounts below have been calculated with this in mind and cannot be modified. However, should you wish to remove any of the daily Hotel Service Charge in the unlikely event that you do not receive satisfactory service, you may do so by contacting the Guest Relations Manager onboard. If you wish, the daily Service Charge for your cruise can be added to the price of your cruise at the time of booking, rather than added to your onboard account during the cruise. Please let your booking agent know if you would like to add the Service Charge to your cruise price.

TIPS: MSC does not recommend tipping individual members of staff.

VALID UP TO SUMMER 2024