perakcruiser

Better call them as fast as possible. Usually no penalty, but in July there is a big chance that one week closer to August means a higher price. And no free kids. Good luck.

Last August in Paris there was UBER and BOLT available finally. Would be surprised if Marseille is different. So the taxi sadness should be a thing of the past 😀

OK, thanks, both I don't know and never seen a ship.

4 hours ago, JP82 said:

Is there something specific then about this cruise? Would love to know.

Yes, you cannot compare this cruise to the other northern Europe cruises. It combines Iceland and Greenland, two dream destinations for many Europeans. MSC is offering it exactly one time a year. Their competitors are very few, most mainstream cruise lines don't go there. The price may look high, but it is by far the cheapest in the market, these Greenland cruises usually start with triple prices. 

It is also a dream cruise for me, but either it is fully booked (2018, 2019) or I am not in Europe in August (2020). In this case I world not care about the ship (been on the Poesia, classical MSC ship, not bad, nothing special) or the many kids (I bring my own 😁). Fingers crossed for 2021, I will not give up.

I only can tell you that this is the most popular cruise available in Europe. It will be sold out early, there will not be the usual MSC promotions and specials. 

There will be a lot of kids, your idea that this cruise is not attractive for families unfortunately is totally wrong.

You don't need to think about the "classes", Aurea is not available, if Bella is still available, take it, if not or if you want breakfast in the cabin you have to choose Fantastica. By the way the Poesia was sailing many years already before MSC invented this "classes". 

4 hours ago, JohnJayJotaJames said:

You may find some crew members who have not adapted well to a ship of 99.5% Brazilians.

Are there any crew members from other areas of the world left when the ships go to Brazil? :D
 

We were on the Seaview in the Med a couple of month before the ship went to Brazil and already almost only Brazilian and Middle America staff on board. And even the Brazilians were already horrified about their compatriots coming on board soon in big numbers 

So, please keep us up to date if it is really so horrible, ziggyuk. 

12 hours ago, cruiser man 60 said:

We are in the Dubai to Yokohama cruise next year which has one stop for 9 hours in mainland China at Shekhou, port for Shenzhen. Anyone cruised in the area with a one day stop in China got any experience of how the 24 hour transit visa is a obtained i.e. Do the cruise ship obtain, do you apply yourself at cruise port etc.

we are U.K. Passport holders and cruise then goes to Hong Kong and my understanding is that 24 hour visa free visit is permissible .

To answer this question, one needs to know the port BEFORE Shekou. 

Unlike St. Petersburg the cruise company will do nothing. 

6 hours ago, CruisingFox27 said:

Hong Kong adds an extra complexity to the rule.

No, not at all. Hong Kong is treated as a foreign country like any other when it comes to TWOV rules, especially the ABC criteria.

Anyway, even if you are eligable for TWOV, the main reason to go off the ship and on the long Metro trip into Shenzhen is that you can say "I have been to China". But at least the Shekou Sea World shopping and leisure area is within walking distance. The best option probably is to walk up Danan Mountain in Nanshan Park for some really good views (if the weather is good). 

38 minutes ago, lcookie said:

My experience with MSC is to book in advance.  Their onboard prices have always been higher.  Even on embarkation day.

I did not see any offer on board for internet that was cheaper than in advance. Same with all kinds of drinks packages. The only thing with sometimes better offer on board that I realized was Spa activities like massages and facial treatment and this stuff. 

9 hours ago, LMaxwell said:

They have the worst customer service of not only the cruise industry but probably any bank, cable company, phone company, hotel, etc.  Maddening, inefficient, inept, and frustrating is an understatement. 

Only someone who has never dealt with any other Italian company, especially Alitalia, can say this ;)

It is for sure a different culture, you need to make it on board, then you get rewarded. 

You tried to ask ZOE for tonights menu in the MDR? 

Weather, news and menus would be the most useful features.

1 minute ago, marcoigna said:

No male message therapists - all female

I don´t know 100%, but I think at the Middle East cruises with a lot of muslim pax they also have males. Otherwise business will be difficult 

1 hour ago, trainbuff said:

MSCprocessed the charge in Paris, France which means my credit card company charged a foreign transaction fee

A reason for you to select your CC more carefully. Unbelievable for what things some people blame MSC.

On 11/26/2019 at 11:03 PM, happygrammy100 said:

I did not want to spend the extra $ for yc and the reviews said that is the only way to go.  I wish there were more positive reviews

Ridiculous. MSC is the most popular cruise line of the world and not because of the yacht club. Why you think they are so successful? Because of a couple of cuisers in YC? They are extremely popular in all parts of Europe as well as North and South Africa, East Asia, the Middle East, Brazil, Mexico, the US ... 

The reason is because the whole world loves Italy culture and cousine and lifestyle. And they deliver this on the Seven Seas. So very easy for you, you think, you can enjoy this? Go and book, you will not be disappointed for sure. You prefer a cruise with 99 % US pax and a few invisibe foreigners? Stay with the bigger lines from your home country. 

About the TA, yes, there are many complaints on this cruises where the Brazilians are the majority. Also the staff is mainly Brazilian and the Europeans often come home unhappy from this cruises. But this has nothing to do with your planned TA from Barcelona to Miami. 

MSCs under 6€/$ beer rule is very simple: Heineken and sometimes, but not always, a second (usually local) brand. 

Well, if TO did "couple of dummies" and no price change after entering VC number, than probably this is the reason. Certainly can also be one of the many website glitches. 

14 minutes ago, ready2cruzagain said:

Really? because they seem to care when boarding the Divina in Miami last year. 

OK,there is a second answer: Every port and every staff is different :)

We never had anyone interested in a bottle of water in the lugguage, but we also brought never more than one. 

You are lucky, no need the photo, I found it on Googlemaps. 

The name is Hotel Cozumel & Resort.

Just walk south from the ship on the main road, cannot be missed. Opposite the road is the hotel, no use for you. On the beach side is their restaurant with buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their beach is great, if I would spend a week in Cozumel I definitely would choose this place. 

On 11/24/2019 at 3:16 AM, GreenSmoothieCruiser said:

 

@perakcruiser do you know the names of any of the private beaches in Cozumel by the port? I don't mind buying a few drinks so we can avoid the taxi ride to another beach. Thank you. 

I can check for you but this needs some time as I have to look at the photos from this trip. One place was really excellent, it is the restaurant/beach from the hotel opposite the main road. Will provide you the name as soon as I found it. But before 29th ;)

Many offers like MSC Specials can not be combined with the VC discount. So that is why the price does not change.

11 hours ago, sfaaa said:

The enclosed port area is fine, outside not so much. Place looks like an army camp with armed guard posted at the entrance and concertina wire strung on top of the compound wall. 

Actually I would not call it the "port area" but the town center. Which is very safe in my opinion. If you walk to the suburbs past St Johns Cathedral you will meet a police guard that friendly tells you, that is it not recommended to continue in this direction. 

Always the same, if you ask, the answer will be no, if you just do, nobody cares.

Nobody expected ZOE will work from the beginning. Let´s wait and see, maybe in two years it will be a nice extra. 

Cozumel has a lot of options in walking distance from the ship when heading south. The first you will see (or not see) are all private, most places will let you use them if you order a coffee or so. The first public beach is about 2 km from the ship, small, but friendly. 

It definitely speeded up the check in process. 

2 hours ago, ChiTownCub said:

I can't even believe I'm asking this question, but can you find plain water throughout the ship without purchasing it?

You may not believe it, but it is true. On all MSC ships water dispensers are only available at the buffet (together with free coffee and tea). But these are open 24 hours. You can refill your water bottles in the way explained above. 

And it is always a good idea to choose a cabin close to the buffet