NMsunset

Hello NZ Friend-

You make a good point about generalizing.

Since it is ‘not working for you’, are you using the call center or a TA to book and or make changes?

Let’ s take a logical look at this website ‘reported issues’:

MSC is a business and like most businesses today, they understand the huge benefit to having customers selfserve online. MSC’s website, like all large e-commerce sites have tons of performance metrics/data that is collected from all interactions. Every success and failure is detailed, analyzed, reported, and addressed as the data deems is a business priority.

The ships are cruising at capacity or near capacity and 10,000’s of passengers are on MSC ships every second of everyday...so folks are booking successfully with the website, call centers, or TAs...use what works for you.

I have successfully used a combination of those 3 with MSC and enjoyed each cruise.

Cheers, enjoy the cruise of your choosing!

Not true, I’ve been in balcony cabins on Seaside and am considered HC by the VA both Back and knees.

 While not different in floorplan, I found them to be fuctional even with my challenges. Wheelchair would not work, but walker, canes, crutches are doable. Pillows and creativity, plus the roomy balcony make for a nice oasis 🙂

Plus the crew, steward, other passengers were more than accommodating for my needs.

Note: Nothing stops me from enjoying life, give me obstacles...I will get over, around, under, or through them...and try to keep a smile the entire time...life is what you make it...beats the alternative.

Best counseling I got: “you are not a victim, just a partipant of life, get your game on”

Hope it works out, both procedure and recovery!

Cheers! 

Was on Sept. Seaside with Nassau stop, did the $45usd ATHOL ISLAND SNORKEL powerboat  excursion through MSC.  Boat seats are roomy and very comfortable, max capacity is 30...no booze...fun fast ride to Athol Island...gorgerous snorkeling over colorful reef...then the highlight is the high speed (yes 3 engine) ride around the Atlantis side of Paradise and old lighthouse back to the pier next to the ship.

 https://www.sunupbahamacharters.com/welcome/

Just an awesome excursion which left plenty of time to stroll/shop strawmarket and the area.

Cheers!

Agree 100% with Ate and Ready2; upgrade to Classic drink package...it is a bargain.

Enjoy your cruise.

Hi-

News flash, internet, computers, technology, etc might/can be frustrating...1st world issues for sure.

MSC provides an awesome value, which I have experienced 3 times this year. I use their website with ios (iPad and Safari)...minimal issues and always successful, even if the UI and the logic behind it is less than typical for usa expectations.

Just like their usa call center in Fla; do not call at peak times...do not hold for more than 5 minutes before you speak to a human...just call back at another time...no issues and the csr’s are very friendly and helpful.

If you love a great value, awesome cruise experience, and diverse mix of passengers/cultures...MSC is a great choice.

Complain about traffic, weather, elevators, phone holds, and technology...if you wish...I’m choose to plan/book another cruise.

Cheers, enjoy the cruise of your choice!

We both drink 3-5 bottles each of the 0.5L/16oz per day times 7 days.

Also bring several with us on shore excursions, drink some and gift some. We don’t buy from mini-bar in cabin and have the steward empty it, se we can load with bottled water/ packaged drinks like juice we get from our package.

Hydration with sun, salt water, thermal area, and many adult beverages is key for us to have fun/feel good.

Drink plenty of water, enjoy your cruise!

That is 60 bottles of water.

Depends on weather, just check the dailies...

Yes, port days are typically lighter for these attractions.

Enjoy!

Buffets on both deck 8 and 16 for lunch & dinner had some tasty surpises:

grilled fish, baked fish, stuffed and baked...salmon, sword, and cod..maybe others but those stand out...some dishes with shrimp...mainly pastas...all good.

Other items: grilled lamb chops (awesome!); lamb curry, buffalo cauliflower, cheeses, grilled tomatoes, etc...buffet exceded expectations.

In MDR, ask server for grilled calamari steak...they did this twice for me and it was the bomb...off menu, but magic happens when you ask nicely.

Agreed the fried calamari starter one night was just OK, but I’m not a big fan of fried seafood.

Enjoy!

Lake W-

Have you looked at SunCountry Airlines?

Was living in St Paul last year and flew them to warm country like CR...no complaints and low cost...plus they fly out of the old terminal...less traffic and hassle.

Saw they have Saturday March 9th for $278 ow and non stop! Depart MSP 7am and arrive MIA 11:31am...also return flt on next Saturday at noon...for $238, again non stop...check your dates.

Best of luck...

Hello, we are sailing Seaside and MSC for the first time this coming March in a YC Deluxe Suite. I know the ship departs at 7 pm, which is actually sort of nice given I'm not seeing any Friday evening flights we could make given my wife is a teacher and can't get off that day before Spring Break. We live 2 hours outside the airport we fly out of in Minneapolis, so we need about an 8 pm flight or later. We did that last year on NCL to FLL but no options to do that on any of the major carriers this year. Anyway, I am rambling. As I book airfare, I am looking to also see what time you can typically board the ship if in YC. With the Carnival Vista a few weeks back, we boarded at just after 11. Is it the same with Seaside that you could board before Noon? Or is it later given the 7 pm departure? Thanks!

No booze in MDR, just wine...get drink(s) at bar and carry them in to MDR.

They will add you, just go to guest services late Saturday or early am Sunday...like R2cruise again said...also post on roll call asking someone when/where it is...if large will be in theater...mostly they hold them in Haven Lounge on 2nd day.

$18 usd per day, per person in cabin

Many on Seaside make a buffett run and get pizza, burgers, dogs, fries, etc...and bring back to Sports Bar to watch the games...staff there has zero issue with this...in fact a bartender there suggested this to our group...we got one of the ‘viewing rooms’ and had an awesome watch party.

Cheers, enjoy your cruise!

Yes, all in cabin must upgrade, so for two people it is $252.00 usd for Classic upgrade from Drinks on Us.

Look at your drink options with upgrade and calculate what you will drink, remember juice and bottled water, and add 15% from the menu price to know what Drinks on Us will cost you for your cruise. For us, it was obvious to upgrade for increased selection and getting included the Venchi coffees, gellato, hot chocolate, etc... not to mention better wine, beer, and cocktail choices all with zero added gratuities.

Example:

0.5l sparkling water is $2.75 so $0.41 added to each one you get for ‘free’ with Drinks on Us...so for us that is >$25.00 just for water gratuities

Then add 15% for juice for breakfast, couple of beers at lunch, couple of glasses of wine with dinner, and drinks at bars nightly...adds up fast...then add the ala carte Venchi and bars items not on Drinks on Us...menu price plus 15%....

Again, the $252.00 for the two of us...easy choice.

Regardless, enjoy your cruise!

Do both my DH and I have to upgrade or can I just do it?

Hello LakeW-

Can you direct me to where on MSC states ‘no shorts after 6pm in any public area’.

Guess I, and many others, are breaking a rule?

Majority of folks are in shorts 24/7 on trips out of Miami.

Never saw or heard of anyone being called out...even in speciality resturants and in MDR for evening meal.

Please advise.

Thanks in advance.

I just wouldn’t wear shorts because the rules say no shorts after 6pm in any public area on MSC. Carnival the rules say OK on “casual” nights. If some do, fine, but I wouldn’t let myself or my son as a matter of principle.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

News flash: cronic complainers...complain.

Despite the cronic complaints, easy to see most are booking/sailing MSC...so it overall is good stuff ;-)

Called today at 9:45am Eastern time and was talking to agent in 4 minutes and 23 seconds!

Added excursion and gave credit card...was off the phone in under 8 minutes...then checked online and Bam it was showing on our booking...

Yes, I’m a positive ‘can-do’ type person...not a complainer, but a problem solver...plus how hard is it to be happy planning a cruise...duh!

Even on this forum/topic, the vast majority of folks are not having a negative phone experience.

Life is Good, enjoy the cruise of your choice!

Best to wait and purchase at a port...had zero issue bringing a couple of bottles on at ports of call.

I did hear folks complaing about baggage being held due to them containing restricted items; plus the volume of those ‘flagged’ bags caused overall delay in getting ‘clean’ bags to cabins.

Please don’t be the cause of delays for yourself or others. Also look at Champagne bar price menu...they are cheaper than vast majority of US restaurants...we purchased a bottle and enjoyed under the stars on deck 19...worth every penny :-)

Cheers, enjoy your cruise!

Coffee package was discontinued for Caribbean...yes Divina has Thermal area...not as big overall as Seaside.

We also enjoyed the Coffee Cuddle package early this year on Seaside, I was told for our cruise next week that coffee package was cut, due to Drinks on Us promo and to encourage a la carte coffee or the upgrade to Classic or Deluxe. Either way, still MSC is a great value for us.

Cheers, enjoy your cruise!

The view from all the other ships...

Seaside is Awesome!

Remember that about 5,000 people sail her every week!

Think how few complaints (many by the same folks) are posted here each week...the math is in...people LOVE Seaside...well at least the VAST MAJORITY who actually try it.

Will be back on in <2 weeks, yeah it’s that enjoyable.

Enjoy the Cruise of your choice!

Hi-

It was meant to show that, as others have replied as well, the 1+ hour hold experience is not required.

Your handle shows Italy, which call center are you calling and from what location?

I do not hold for long times, just as if I knock, or ring, at a door and no one comes...I do not stand there.

We all have frustrations with airlines, hotel, insurance, credit cards, cable tv, and other call centers...it is part of the current state. I and others offered the ways we have minimized this frustration and stress...call times and strategies...seems some rather complain.

I never worked a call center, but respect those that do.

I feel MSC offers a good service to value ratio...if you do not...then please choose another line.

Plus the critic claiming a staffing issue, please provide all the data that you have to back up that claim.

Cheers, enjoy the cruise of your choosing!

I really don't know the tone of your posting. It maybe taken 2 different ways.

So, I will just say. I have tried calling at all times of the day. Regardless of the time of day, there is no business that should keep any client on the phone for over an hour without someone answering, especially a TA.

Apparently you worked in a call center and know what the metrics are. Apparently MSC does not have a metric in their call center or else they would answer calls within a reasonable time. LOL

Just call and verify, or look at your e-ticket...must say ‘cruise’ duration.

If it doesn’t or says Daily, then you only purchased a 1-day pass with your massage.

Either way it is worth the cost to us...we don’t buy the drink packages...spa time/services are our vice.

Enjoy!

Agreed, Seaside is awesome...going on my 2nd cruise on her, of 2018 in 12days...

Yes, enjoy your cruise!

I'll be sailing with 2 kids on my Seaside cruise. We're in an Aurea cabin. Will my kids be able to use the private sundeck?

Remember the military discount stacks with status discount on some sailings/categories.

Go Navy!

Come on, next you will complain there are long lines for the rides at Disney during a holiday weekend.

As many have said, call during off peak times. No need to stay on hold for more than 10 minutes to get the 1st human.

Call centers have metrics, dropped calls are one of the biggies...if majority of callers hang up in 10 minutes...they will take notice.

Same with service desk on Deck 5 atrium on Seaside, go at off times and there is zero wait...

Our lives are easy, enjoy your cruise!