Selion

Just now, rbslos18 said:

That does make sense but they lose out on hooking people with larger more expensive staterooms. Once a person is paid in full they clearly and understandably have the upper hand!

Tell me about it.  Viking's the only cruise that refused to take more of our money in exchange for a bigger stateroom after final payment date.  Instead of me saying "Shut up and take my money!", Viking is telling me "Shut up and sit down!"

37 minutes ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

Viking does not allow you to upgrade at any new discounted price.

☝️ This.

Viking treats repricing as a cancellation.  The only way to get their new promotional fares is to cancel and rebook.  Then you have to ask if the cancellation fees are worth the savings.  Prior to final payment when cancellation fee is $100pp, usually it's worth it.  After that, YMMV.

This is one of the biggest gripe I have with Viking.  Treat Viking like an airline.  Best not to check the fares after final payment date.

https://docs.vikingcruises.com/pdf/2-230626_BookingAndSaleTermsAndConditions.pdf

Cancellation fees also will apply to changes to departure date; substitutions of itinerary; substitution of another person for original booked passenger(s); and changes to a promotional fare.

Calf live on day 1.  Fava beans on day 2's menu.  You didn't happen to have a nice Chianti with your dinners, did you?

The T&C says "no later than 75 days", so MSC is allowed to collect earlier.  Always refer to your booking confirmation for the final payment date.

The real answer to your question?  MSC's IT just couldn't be bothered to configure their system to be in line with their T&C.

I don't think MSC cares either way.  See my screenshot...

1 hour ago, kelleherdl said:

Port Canaveral changed the parking pay method. You now pay as you enter. This eliminated the line to pay at exiting.

Oh that's nice.  2022 cruise off the Divina, it took us about an hour to go from the garage to the pay booths.

Cancel the shuttle (if you can) and use Lyft/Uber?  Our Lyft ride from MCO to Port Canaveral was under $70 last week.

Do it!

Welcome to CC!

Underage cruisers will receive the non-alcoholic package.

1 minute ago, PTC DAWG said:

Your comment about going YC and not going back is spot on for me and the Wife.

One could go back, but nagging about not booking YC the whole cruise.  Not like I have any recent experience to share...  🤣

Welcome to CC!

1. Use the Diamond perk.  Why not?  It's at no additional cost to you.  Grab it before MSC reorg Voyagers Club benefits.

2. The butler is also your room steward (part of their job).  Tip them as you normally would on other lines.

10 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Just be sure to read the fine print regarding the maximum amount covered. I have a CSR that we typically use but the maximum amount covered doesn't work for longer more expensive cruises.

Yeah, definitely not for a WC!

From Chase: "$10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip for your pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses"

Go to UR portal, in the box that shows your UR balance click on Card Benefits.

The formula to calculate your potential value from your card point earnings:

Card Earnings Multiplier x Redemption Rate in $/point = Potential Value

@CurlerRob mentioned this formula in his post.  While the formula can be plugged into any points earning cards, the variables are the earnings multiplier and redemption rate.  Especially the redemption rate, since it varies greatly.  For potential valuations, I tend to use the minimum redemption rate I can almost certainly receive with the card I'd be using.  This will establish a "floor" of the potential value for use in other comparisons.

For CSR, you earn 3 points per $1 on travel categories.  The multiplier is 3.  With CSR, you have access to Chase Travel portal where you can redeem points at $0.015/point.  Using those numbers, you'll have earned $0.045 (3 x $0.015) per $1 spent, or 4.5% effective rebate.  A $10k travel payment will net you $450 in future travel credits if redeemed at Chase Travel portal.  More if you redeem elsewhere through Chase transfer partners (I've redeemed for Hyatt stays at close to $0.08/pt).

Another way of doing the same math by using actual figures instead of theory crafting...

$10k travel payment on CSR will give you 30k Chase UR points.

Redeeming 30k UR points in Chase Travel will give you $450 credit at time of booking ($0.015/point).

$450 back per $10k = 4.5% = 3 x 0.015

Now I found a great redemption at Hyatt, where the room was $800/nt but the point value for 1 night was only 10k ($0.08/point).  I can transfer my 30k UR points to Hyatt and book 3 nights and save $2400.

$2400 saved per $10k = 24% = 3 x 0.08

Keep in mind with points the savings are almost always in the future, and that carries the risk of point devaluation (ask any UA MileagePlus members this year).  Best to "earn and burn" the points whenever possible to maximize your point values.

Edit: Since this is CC, I should mention this.  Virgin Voyages had a point promo earlier this summer: 80k points for any cruise in the Mediterranean in a balcony room, up to 7 nights.  IIRC they costed at least $3000 per couple.  $3000 @ 80k points = $0.0375/point.  80k UR points will take $26,700 in travel & dining spend on CSR.  That's basically a 30-day Viking cruise.  Buy One Get One.  LOL!

2 hours ago, WAVTAM said:

I ask this question years ago and failed to keep copy. 

I received a reply that did the math for the benefits and that the points or cash back on the credit card was the best option. Can someone show me that formula again.

As @CurlerRob said, CC point valuations vary greatly.  Would need to know which card you are planning on using to work out the math.

5 minutes ago, CruisinCrow said:

Were you assigned a specific dining room?  What time did you usually go to dinner and was there a wait?

We were assigned to the Seashore Restaurant on deck 5; the same one they had listed for Aurea.

We usually went between 7:30pm and 8pm.  We didn't really have to wait.  Perhaps 5 minutes on the first night because there was a line of guests waiting to be seated.  The line was moving very quickly.  The remaining 2 nights we were seated almost immediately since there weren't any lines to speak of.

3 minutes ago, laudergayle said:

How long was your cruise.  We board Sunday for 4 nights…hoping we get anytime dining, too.

Ours was a 3 nighter.

Just got off the Seaside yesterday, 8/20.  We were booked in Fantastica.  To our surprise, our cruise card said "Fantastica - My Choice Dining."  I was confused and I went to the dining staff on embarkation day to confirm.  She confirmed that was correct, and mentioned this is something they started doing recently.  Has anyone else had this experience?  I actually preferred it this way, since we could go anytime we wanted during dinner time.  On the other hand, it took away the most significant part of booking into Aurea for us: anytime dining (we are not spa people).

BTW, this was our first time in Fantastica with only the 2 of us.  Previous cruises on MSC were either in YC or Fantastica with families in multiple cabins.

Well, WCS23 has an updated page on Viking site with 8/31 expiration date: https://www.viking.com/promotions/us/ocean/WCS23/20230224.html

Tony (La Lido Loca) on YT reported this surcharge on today's cruise news:

@CruizinSusan70  As a CCL stockholder, I applaud your efforts at defending Princess's unpopular changes.

I'd be excited if these changes actually make CCL stocks go in a different direction.  After cruised on smaller ships, with the pricing of the Premier package I might as well go on Azamara, Oceania or Viking.  I prefer Viking because no kids.

7 minutes ago, sverigecruiser said:

but I don't know how weed smells

Lucky you!

My commute takes us right by a weed store.  It's guaranteed skunk city in the afternoon.  Even some mornings (before 7am), there's the weed smell.

BTW, in US some states have legalized weed for either medical or recreational use, or for both.  At the federal level marijuana is still classified as illegal substance.

1 hour ago, deec said:

I like FREE silver spirit package!

+1 on free SSBP

$0.00 balance on end-of-cruise statement.  😁

Hilarious...

Was going to post SUM23 has been extended.  Clicking on that link in the email, it actually took me to a Mississippi promo LTO.

Free Air

Free Stateroom Upgrade

Expires Aug 10

https://www.viking.com/promotions/us/en/river/LTO/20230803/new-orleans-and-southern-charms.html

Offer valid on bookings made from Aug 3 to Aug 10, 2023. FREE stateroom upgrade within category, Veranda to Deluxe Veranda (V1-DV1) plus FREE roundtrip airfare valid on select Dec 2023 departures of New Orleans & Southern Charms. Call for details. Prices are in US dollars and for US residents only. Air does not have to be purchased to get cruise/tour offer. All fares reflect cruise taxes, port taxes and fees. Additional restrictions may apply. Airfares vary on other itineraries, gateways and departures. Air offers not valid on Alaska, Hawaii, San Juan and Mexico City; call for details. Book by Aug 10, 2023. Pay in full by Aug 31, 2023 or at time of booking if within 120 days of departure. Offer expires Aug 10, 2023.  

On 7/25/2023 at 3:55 PM, Heidi13 said:

This was the case with all P&O and Princess ships from the 60's until at least the Royal Class.

We were on the Regal Princess in 2017.  Tendered at Cayman Islands and the tender/lifeboat was right up against the hull.  The seas were not ideal for tendering.  The tender boat was swaying up & down at least 3 to 4 feet, using Regal's deck as a reference.  One of our more exciting tendering experience.  LOL!