dolphin1313

44 minutes ago, BDL said:

Hi - We are new to MSC and have already submitted for status match to our RCL Diamond status.  It's my understanding that would get us Gold on MSC and a 5% discount.   I've also heard that the (retired) military discount is 10%.  We'll be in the yacht club on our first scheduled cruise for this fall.  I'm thinking these two discounts cannot be combined.  Is that correct?   Any advice would be appreciated.  We're very  much looking forward to our first MSC cruise.  We've even booked a second for early next year! 

Thanks,
Barb

 

Barb,

You're correct that the military discount can't be combined with the 5% discount.  But you can check the 5/10% or 5/15% discounts to see if your sailing is in either of those specials.

Here's the link to the 5/15% discount:

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/manage-booking/msc-voyagers-club/msc-club-pax-type-515

You'll notice there's also a link for the 5/10% discount above the Search section.

-Mark

3 minutes ago, Chris_2448 said:

They still have all Sept/Oct cruises from NYC to Canada on the Breakaway posted. My hope is if they are allowing cruises from NYC by then that these will change to Bermuda or Bahama cruises. 

This is my thought also.  NCL or other cruise lines won't change their itineraries until after the CDC allows them to start cruising from the US.

8 minutes ago, KennyFla said:

Why are river cruises exempt from the CDC?

5 minutes ago, dolphin1313 said:

I believe because they're sailing with less than 250 people (passengers and crew).

To clarify: In my understanding, they do fall under the CDC but they won't fall under the Conditional Sail Order.

2 minutes ago, KennyFla said:

Why are river cruises exempt from the CDC?

I believe because they're sailing with less than 250 people (passengers and crew).

3 hours ago, drpclarke said:

Good afternoon all!

 

So I'm learning that the MSC site is a bit difficult to understand (or I am suffering from pre-spring break brain)..

 

Now that I have my first MSC cruise booked, I"m seeing all of this Yacht Club and Fantastica and Hullaballoo levels. If I am reading it right...it's just referring to where my cabin is, right?
 

So I got the cheap deal..inside cabin...so I'm part of Bella, which appears to be Cattle Class. Does this mean anything else?? 🙂

 

Thanks!

Rachel

Hi Rachel,

The experience is not always a different cabin but more with what benefits are included.  It can be confusing but for instance, a particular balcony cabin can be a  fantastica experience or a Aurea experience.   Of course the Yacht Club cabins also include the Yacht Club private area is like an experience itself.  Certain cabin types may only be available for certain experiences.

When I first started looking at MSC, it seemed like a maze.  To make it easier, first decide what type of cabin you want (Inside, OV, ect.) than decide what benefits you want.

Here's the link that go over the different experiences and what the experience offers:

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/cruise/experiences-staterooms

Also, here's the link to go over the Yacht Club:

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/cruise/msc-yacht-club

Hopefully, this will help you a little.

MSC just posted that all Caribbean itineraries are canceled through the end of May.

Here's the section that states the cancellation:

OTHER ITINERARY UPDATES

MSC Cruises today also updated the itineraries for the start of its summer season (beginning in April) as a result of the delay in the return to availability of certain ports across Europe and is canceling all other itineraries in the West Mediterranean for April and May 2021, with cruises there resuming from June 2021 as planned.

Similarly, in the East Mediterranean cruises are canceled for April 2021, with cruises resuming from May as planned. In Northern Europe, all itineraries are canceled in April.

Finally, in the Caribbean all itineraries are canceled through to May 31, 2021.

Here's the link:

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/news/msc-seaside-mediterannean-cruises

32 minutes ago, Drawn2TheOcean said:

Hello all-

DW and I have been Loyal to Royal for some time, but thought we would stray to see if the grass is greener elsewhere. Hoping some of you could help us navigate the waters of what's included with the YC.  We are booking an April '22 cruise on the Meraviglia in a YC deluxe suite. When doing a  fake booking online, where it asks to choose an experience, the Aurea option is listed as the only choice and priced at $0 pp. Does this mean that all the benefits of the Aurea experience are included with the YC? Some of the benefits (such as the drink package) overlap, but we were excited about the possibility of 2 included massages. Looking on their website, I can't find anything stating that the massages, or the benefits of the Aurea experience are included with a YC booking.

 

Also, ( and according to my DW, more importantly) is the gelato included with the YC. If not, I may have to put aside some extra $ in the vacation budget to accommodate her consumption 😊. TIA for all your help!

The YC is the experience so I'm confussed with the Aurea Experience being the only option.  It might just be the MSC website being confusing.  Not all of the Aurea experience perks are included in the YC.  The YC get the "Premium Drink" package, access to the thermal spa but doesn't get the free massages.  On the MSC Seaside the Gelato was included but I'm not sure if it is on the Meraviglia.

1 hour ago, diver0311 said:

Hello,

 

First time MSC, but have sailed previously on other lines (silversea, celebrity, NCL, RCCL).  I am going solo and had a cruise fully paid in the YC on the meraviglia in April 2021 that just canceled. 
 

When I call in March 1 per the websites/ emailed cancelation instructions I intend to use the fcc to rebook; but my question is when I made the April booking I selected the easy package and WiFi as the bonus instead of the OBC, which I think would have been US $225. 
 

I want to get the premium package either by outright purchase or upgrade, but never saw upgrade packages available under the reso/booking. Is there a reduced upgrade price if you have the easy to go to the premium? And if so does that beat out taking the obc in terms of value?
 

I also anticipate a status match to black/diamond if that factors in.  I saw that some beverages may be included as part of the YC but don’t know how it works on MSC. 

or if I am not asking the right question let me know.  

looking forward to meeting some of you on a future voyage.  
 

Thanks for the assist,

 

diver0311 

Diver0311,

The YC comes with the equivlant of the Premium drink package.

55 minutes ago, vistaman said:

i am booked for February in YC but I cannot upgrade to Plus online ?? 

You can't upgrade the drink package on-line, you have to call MSC or your TA.  Sometimes this can be a process if you don't get a person who was trained properly.  Just make sure that you know how much it should be.  I've had luck a few times but not all the time.

1 minute ago, MechE31 said:

The NCL website has been updated to show that the expected cancellations are official.

 

"We have extended our voluntary temporary suspension of all voyages through April 2021."

Thanks for the update.

1 hour ago, Até said:

MSC US has ended the limited Holiday Voyages Selection and brought back the typical 5+5%, 5+10% and 5+15% selections.  The best part is the 10% and 15% areas have more than just Caribbean sailings, US finally gets Med, South American, Northern Europe ,Grand Voyages and other regions listed.

 

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/manage-booking/msc-voyagers-club/msc-club-pax-type-515

Thanks for the update!

50 minutes ago, dmccadden said:

Hi,

Our cruise was booked for January and was canceled.  I’ve been told that we can’t rebook yet and have to wait until February.  I keep watching the prices go up and can’t book for October yet.

 

Has anyone else run into this?  It’s the strangest thing I’ve ever heard of.  Thanks for any feedback.

The problem is that the FCC hasn't been issued yet.  If you wanted to put the deposit down, you should be able to apply the FCC when your issued it.  Obviously ask before hand just to make sure. 

I believe that MSC is planning on issuing the FCC's for Jan. cruises at the end of Jan.  Once they issue it, you can use it.

1 hour ago, CruisingMom77 said:

When I looked at the link it says that if your FCC has already been issued you can request a refund if you prefer by December 15th. Does that apply to earlier sailings as well? Ours would have been in April. We got the FCC but I doubt we will be able to use it by Dec 31, 2021. 

I would ask your TA or call MSC to find out.   If I was to take a guess, it's referring to the cruises cancelled with the specified dates (Sept. 16 and after).  But I could be wrong.  So it doesn't hurt to call and ask.

GA Dave....I had a great time on MSC and I trust them.  I didn't have any issues with getting the money I was owed back.  However from reading CC, It did seem to be a problem for people with cancellations in March.

MSC just cancelled their US cruises through Feb. 2021.  Here's the link, just click on the ship:

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/cruise-itinerary-changes-and-cancellations

I just saw it listed on MSC's website also.  Here's the link (just click on the ship):

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/cruise-itinerary-changes-and-cancellations

I just read on Seatrade-Cruise's website that MSC US sailings are canceled through Feb. 2021.

Here's the link:

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ship-operations/msc-cruises-cancels-us-sailings-through-february

13 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

Just a couple of quick questions, as my experience has been all NCL, both balcony and Haven.

1. Does anyone know what the current deadline is for final payments?  I know some lines are 60 days but some are still 120 days.  I am looking at a short May cruise in the Yacht Club, which shows a very reasonable down payment, but I want to be able to cancel if things look crazy restricted once they restart here in the USA, and I do not want to wait months to get back my full payment.
2. In the Yacht Club, I would be traveling solo and received a price that I felt was very good for a solo cruiser.  Do they have any events for solo cruisers on MSC like they do on NCL?  And is it just for people in certain cabin classes, or is it for anyone?  Not really a big deal for this short cruise, but thinking ahead to a longer cruise, it would be nice to have a solo "meet and greet" like NCL does first day out.

Any information is appreciated.

I was looking for MSC's website but couldn't find it.  If I fiind it before somebody else, I put a link.  But I know that the final payment due date is 90 days for a 7 day cruise but I know that this varies for other sailings like world voyages.  Also, the deposit for YC (Yacht Club) is refundable upto 120 days provided it's a refundable deposit.  You'll want to issure that it's refundable prior to booking.  All mine that I've booked have been refundable but I remember reading that's always the case.

They do have a Solo M&G which is posted in their daily paper at least the first day but it's nothing like NCL's.  It was at the Champaign bar in the late afternoon and there were 2 crew members (one spoke multiple languages) just to introduce everyone.  They stayed a short time, maybe 10-15 mins.  I don't know if this is the normal process but it was that way for my B2B last Nov./Dec. (2019).  This is held outside of the YC so anyone is welcome to go.

Even though MSC isn't as good as NCL at solo events, I had a great time and met a lot of people on the cruise.

7 minutes ago, wallyj said:

Regarding room service on MSC, not sure if there is a diffence between Europe and USA sailings. I have been watching a few YouTuber reviews on MSC ships. A reviewer on a Europe sailng said yes 'room service charge was free' , but 'food' was not free, sounds like 'breakfast' may be no charge according to some of the recent posts?

At least in America, if you're in the YC they don't charge you for room service or the food. 

But if you're not in the YC, the room service and food charges depend on your experience.  This can be very confusing if you didn't do your research.  So if you booked a different experience, make sure you know what is free and what isn't.

7 minutes ago, Sailing12Away said:

Hopefully sailing with MSC for the first time in January (although it doesn't look promising). We've been loyal to NCL up to this point, so I'm trying to understand the differences between the 2 lines. A few follow-up questions regarding how things are handled on MSC for the experts out there.

 

1. With NCL you need to pre-book reservations to certain entertainment shows and for the specialty restaurants. Is that the same with MSC? I don't see anywhere under my booking to do this.

 

2. We'll be booked in the YC with the included drink package that came with it. When we're outside of the YC, do we still get the same drink package coverage, or only within the YC itself can we drink to our liver's content?

 

3. On NCL you can order anything you like (within reason) for breakfast room service, even if it's not on the card itself. Is that the same with MSC?

 

4. Typical snacks on NCL Haven are M&Ms, gummy bears, cookies, small sandwich bites, etc. What type of snacks do the butlers serve in the MSC suites during the day?

1) No, you can't book the shows prior to the cruise.  The YC has reserved seating for the shows.  If you let your butler know what time you plan on going, they will gather everyone and escort you down to the show.  People not in the YC need to book the show when on-board.

2) Yes, the same drink package is available throughout the ship.

3) I didn't order anything for room service, but from what I've heard from other's just let the butler know and they will do their best to fill your order.

4) I didn't request anything but they have some snacks (choc. peanuts, pringles) in the mini fridge.  I'm sure that the butler will try their best to get what you want if it's possible.  In the YC lounge, there are snacks/finger foods available most of the day.  The butler doesn't automatically bring sandwiches every after noon like on NCL but I'm sure you can let them know the first day and they will.

26 minutes ago, CruiserCarol said:

Here is your review: 
We were a family traveling for 50th Anniversary celebration. We had 5 cabins booked in Yacht Club on Seaside March 2020. Due to Covid cruise was canceled, we have been extremely patient awaiting our future cruise certificate or our money back! After many hours on phone, and many emails we still have NOT received any compensation. We had another cruise booked for March 2021, that we canceled in September, and still have NOT received our deposits for THAT cruise either. We really need our money in theses trying times, and MSC has given us no customer service what so ever. We are extremely dissatisfied with MSC. Has anyone else had this problem? What more can I do? I would greatly appreciate any advice on how to to rectify this terrible situation. I realize cruise ships are having a difficult time, but MSC is a huge shipping line as well, and are not in as big of a hole as other lines. I wish them all well, and look forward to happy cruise time again. But as I said we are celebrating 50 years of marriage, and don’t have lots of time to wait. Thank you. 

Have you tried to contact the US Dept. of Transportation?

Here's their link which provides details on the help they can provide.  If you haven't tried yet, it's worth a try.

https://www.transportation.gov/mission/safety/passenger-cruise-ship-information

2 hours ago, Geobugs said:

MSC says that I will have my 125% cruise credit Mid-December. 

Fast forward to January 1 when I want to book a cruise for April on MSC.

Do I have to book through MSC or can I book via a travel agency? 

Can I use cruise credit for the deposit, fare, port charges and taxes? 

Or must I make a deposit via a credit card?

My experience is that if you received your FCC with a cruise booked with MSC you have to use MSC when booking a cruise with the FCC.  I tried getting the FCC transferred to a TA and was unsuccessful.

10 minutes ago, Geobugs said:

Thank you, that was not showing up for me when I clicked into the website.

You're welcome.  MSC must have updated it after you checked.  Time will tell if they remove it like they did for the Nov. cancellations.

6 minutes ago, Geobugs said:

Does this apply?

 

Options for guests booked on these cruises:
- Guests will be moved to another ship serving the same or similar itinerary, while protecting the price of their original booking. Please be patient as we're continuing to make adjustments and move guests from an impacted sailing to a new sailing.

I don't believe so but I could be wrong.  I think that only applies to the section:

WINTER 2020/2021 IMPACTED CARIBBEAN CRUISES:

I forgot to mention to go there you go to MSC's homepage click on ITINERARY UPDATES & CHANGES: More Detail

at the top of their web page.