dolphin1313

If I were you, I would first email MSC's existing reservations to get the OBC on your booking.  They have mostly been helpful to me with this kind of stuff.  The email for the US is (If you booked outside the US, they may be able to give the the correct email to send inquires to):

MSCExistingReservations@msccruisesusa.com

6 hours ago, java spot said:

Thank you!

You're welcome.

2 hours ago, java spot said:

Is there a well illustrated deck plan available?  I was unable to find one a few months ago. If so, would someone please post a link?  thanks!

 

The best deck plan that I've found is on Explora Journey's website. 

The link is:

https://explorajourneys.com/us/en/ships/deckplans.html

Note that it will start at Deck 6.  When you press the Right Arrow (>) to go to the next screen.  If you continue it will show Deck 7 - Deck 10; than wrap to Deck 3 - Deck 5; Followed by Decks 11-12 and lastly Deck 14.

On the other hand you could press the Left Arrow (<) to go to Deck 14.  By pressing the Left Arrow it will go in the reverse order (14, 12, 11, 5, 3, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6).

6 hours ago, screenname2004 said:

What is the exp date for the kit? 

The expiration is April 2022 with an extended expiration until July 2022.

29 minutes ago, mlsetc said:

Thank you

You're welcome.

2 hours ago, acct1975 said:

Thanks, that helps give me a good range for timing 🙂 

You're welcome.

16 minutes ago, acct1975 said:

When ordering the at-home proctored COVID tests through Inspire, how far in advance did you order them? I don't want to do it too early on the (very unlikely) chance that the requirement changes or to late and they don't' get delivered in time to take the tests. I'm know I sound a little crazy but I'm trying to have my 1st post-COVID cruise be as stress free as possible.

 

TIA

I ordered my test 8 business days before the day that I'm planning on taking the test.  If I'm not mistaken, their website says allow up to 5-7 business days for shipping.  That being said, I ordered my test on Monday 4/11 and received it today......so it took 2 days to ship it to me.

2 hours ago, Lakers1041 said:

I booked through a TA, but the feedback I got from my TA was that their agents are very helpful. I believe they have a brand new team.

Yes, the Explora Journeys ambassador that I booked with seemed very good and knowledgeable.   Also, you can contact them directly just like NCL's PCC or Canaveral's PVP.

5 minutes ago, mlsetc said:

Where in my online account can I find if NCL has added my shareholder OBC?

Look in the Vacation Summary in the list of Vacation Add-ons.

2 hours ago, InsGuy3 said:

Only through a TA.

Actually a month or so ago, they have ambassador's that you can call and book a cruise with.  I booked directly with them.  Explora Journeys direct phone number in the US is 1(833) 925-1567.

1 hour ago, AtA said:

Where are you seeing pricing on the website? I just see their offerings but no way to access pricing when I go to www.explorajourneys.com

You press the "Book a Journey" button which is on the upper right-hand side of the screen.  Also, you want to make sure that you select the currency that you want in the upper-left hand side of the screen.

Here's link for the US:

https://explorajourneys.com/us/en/bookings.html

37 minutes ago, mizur said:

In YC on Seascape in February '23 and would like to add some spa enhancements to my cruise.  When I log in there are only 3 options available from the spa menu for my cruise.  Any thoughts?

MSC doesn't seem to offer many spa options to purchase prior to the cruise based on my experience.   Sometimes they offer a wider selection and other times only a few options.

31 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

Has anyone else experienced a Foreign Transaction Fee ? We booked a cruise on Explora 1 and our credit card transaction for the 25% deposit was accompanied by another $190 foreign transaction fee. E-mailed my TA as payment is due this month.

I wasn't charged any transaction fee for my Explora I cuise.

On 2/26/2022 at 8:35 PM, ESCARGO said:

Hi! Can someone post the itinerary for the Iceland to NY 14 day cruise for 09-09-23? Also, pricing with reduced solo rate if possible. Thanks, Ted

I just booked the Iceland to NY 16 day cruise (9/9/23 - 9/25/23) and am sailing solo.  The price for a solo in an Ocean Terrace Suite was $7,350 and you save $370 if you pay in full bringing the price to $6,980.  I booked directly with an Explora Journeys Ambassador.

I didn't notice a roll-call for this sailing so I created one under under "Explora Jorneys Roll Calls".

The itinerary is (I just typed this so hopefully I don't have any errors):

8 hours ago, TER777 said:

https://thepointsguy.com/news/explora-journeys-destinations/?utm_source=TPG Daily Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=3784969&utm_usr=&utm_msg=e3c98a224cdc4ca2aebe1dbe9743cbc2&utm_date=2022-02-27

 

Saw this article the other day. Came here to learn more.

Thanks for the information.

19 minutes ago, andychris said:

We have a 9:00 check in time in NYC. Does that mean you need to get Covid  tested before that? What time should we arrive at the pier?
Were do we head first? 
Thank you in advance for any help. 

The check-in time that you selected is when you get your Covid test, at least that's how it was when I went in September.  When you get to the pier, there will be signs directing you to the Covid test.  I believe that the ship was at pier 88 and we went to next pier to get tested.  After getting a negative result, we went to pier 88.

Thanks for all the information!  I hope that you're having a great time on the cruise!

10 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

I watched the press conference today with the Bermuda Minister of Transportation. They do not seem closer to reaching an agreement to get bus and ferry drivers back to work. The issue now is that the transportation workers want to be paid for the past five days they haven't worked and the government is refusing to do so.

 

So, no immediate end in sight for the transportation shut down.

Thanks for the update!

28 minutes ago, zackarykeef said:

Activities/Entertainment/Casino I cannot comment on this. Given it was such a short cruise (I have only ever been on 7+ day cruises, so this was my first weekend cruise), we just didn't attend any shows or activities. Walked through the casino just to take a look...very nice, but much smaller than other cruise casinos I've seen. No smoking due to COVID (or always?), which is a nice plus. We spent the majority of our time in the YC, as we wanted a more relaxing and mindless trip. It was much needed!

 

Food: We mainly ate in the YC restaurant and YC buffet, so I can really only comment on that. We did peruse the main buffet for a snack on day 1, as we really just wanted fries and to try their famous pizza (being an Italian line). They seemed to have a good range of options. The pizza was good...for cruise pizza. I wasn't blown out of the water as people have talked it up prior, but it was good. Honestly, I still think Carnival wins the pizza game (don't hate on me for saying that).

 

The YC restaurant was really good to outstanding. We're pretty picky with food and tend to eat at fancier places in the US, and I thought MSC did a great job. Stand-outs were the veal chop, eggs benedict, filet mignon, and all of the pastas. Glad to see they do a good job with the pasta, which is all handmade on board--it all really was delicious!

 

Bars/Alcohol/Drink Package: We had the premium beverage package included from YC, which worked everywhere on the ship. This included drinks up to $12. However, it was only $17 per person per day to upgraded to premium plus, which allows you to have whatever you want that is served on board. For a quick cruise, this meant $100 total for the two of us, which we didn't think twice about. We did it right away, and boy, was it worth it! We spend our nights at the champagne bar, drinking all of the Veuve Cliquot we wanted. We were also drinking a champagne that was $250/bottle on the menu, which was divine. It was nice not having to think about anything. As soon as the YC sommelier knew we had this package, he hand selected top-tier whites, reds, and dessert wines for us each night to pair with dinner, giving us the whole bottle, even though technically bottles aren't included. We were so spoiled! It was nice being able to order regular cocktails but with top shelf liquor which would other not have been included. I highly recommend this upgrade if you like to drink, drink more fine wines/champagnes, and have the budget. However, be aware the their packages are changing in a few months, and I don't think even the highest package will include everything 😭 sad day.

 

Staff: Every staff member was great. Not a single issue. YC of course was amazing, but even outside the YC, everyone was extremely personable and friendly.

Thanks for taking the time for giving us your review.  I'm glad to hear that you had  a great time.

57 minutes ago, ksibla said:

I am supposed to leave on Meraviglia on August 30.  I have filled in all the information on the MSC site.  I am vaccinated and will bring a PCR test with me.  The cruise is all paid for.  When I try to get my travel docs their website says I have not filled in all the information that is required.  So I called twice. I was told I did fill in all the information and the docs would be emailed soon.  I used a travel agent.  She is not having any luck.  She suggested I just go to the port with the booking number and see if they let me board.  Is or has anybody else experienced this with MSC?

You can try sending an email to:  MscExistingReservations@MscCruisesUsa.com

Sometimes it takes a day or 2 to get a response but it's worth a try.

4 minutes ago, shof515 said:

if i am reading this right, you will be tested at least 3 or 4 times? that is alot of test in a short amount of time. One test a few days before sail date, the test at the terminal and then a test once the ships gets to the island. and then depending on where you are flying, you will need another test to debark the ship after the cruise is over

You're correct, you will be tested 3 or 4 times based on Bermuda's current requirements.

9 hours ago, GTO-Girl said:

WHOO!!!  WHOO!!!  
 

We got our email to sail on the Mariner this Wednesday!!!

 

We are so excited!!!!

Congratulations!

8 hours ago, shoprat48092 said:

How would you go about signing up for a meet and greet?or is it in the daily planner you get once onboard?

Here's the link for CC's with all the cruise lines, you would just select MSC:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/meet-mingle/main/

8 hours ago, cruiseelady said:

Anyone know if they do solo meet and great?  I never sailed with them.  I found an amazing deal for September 25th and booked it.  Hoping to meet some nice people on this 7 day sailing from Miami. 

When I was on the MSC Seaside in Nov./Dec. 2019, they did have a solo meet and greets.

1 hour ago, BDL said:

Thanks Mark!   I checked and neither of our sailings are included in that.  Will keep that in mind for the future.

Barb

You're welcome Barb!