AZbeachboy

Just got off the Sept 30th myself and wholeheartedly agree. It got so bad that a woman at the Customer Service desk told me that I was wrong in that we did not get a notice that the port of call times in Nassau had been changed. I was so outraged I went back to my cabin to get the slip of paper and show her. And then she said it must have been only me... no, we were 3 cabins on 3 decks and we all got them.

 

There is, indeed, a crisis of leadership which is sad, because Captain Massa is ever-present and one of the most outgoing and personable Masters I have ever met. The ship is gorgeous, and very clean. But from getting basic customer service down they are a hot mess, by anyone's standards!

Before I comment on this let me say that there is never a bad cruise, and we enjoyed our time on board.

You are correct in your assessment. Customer service cannot admit a mistake was made and they talk circular. I had a problem of a charge that should not have been there with regard to Wi-Fi. It's to difficult to give the details but suffice it to say they broke down and divided every communication and did not listen to the whole story. However, in the end it was reverses. I never go my Wi-Fi.

They have a systematic problem with MDR service as well. Basically, not enough help. Also if you try to work outside their system they ignore you. Our table mates left after the first night because the service was so bad. (He had been a server for 30 years and said it was the worst and was not going to put up with it.

Luckily, we try not to eat in the buffet and avoided lunch meals. Worse on the seas. Although there was good variety, it was normally cold and had been out some time. Nothing seemed to be seasoned. I asked how long a hamburger had been there and the fellow said about 25 minutes. I asked if I could have a fresh one. He said I should try it and if I did not like it would make me one. It was bad, but I did not go back. A supervisor picked up the one bite sandwich and I told her how bad it was.

On the Positive, entertainment in bars and the theater were the best and that is why we cruise. We also go for the hot tubs and pools and had our balcony. It was a great trip even if I had to fight for some of it.

Your a long wait out. They will announce things on their web site. They have one right now for September cruises. We are waiting to hear and we leave this Saturday. So we are a bit anxious. Just stay calm and check their web site everyone once in a while.

That was one of the problems I had with MSC from the beginning. I had a rear facing balcony then all of a sudden I saw they changed me to one of the smaller cabins., I believe 12170 (cant quite remember) They said I changed it on line but others told me that was impossible. It was worked out and I went by to the read from deck 10 to deck 11 right above where I was originally. It is difficult to get info from Customer Service. I leave next weekend and now I have everything printed out to show when I get on board. I just do not trust their system.

I am being patient over this. There change in statement eliminating the subbing of Antigua. We know that Nassau is still ok. I think they are waiting to see what happens there. I think those two ports (Nassau and Antigua) will be our ports. So, IMO they just need to change San Juan. The good idea for me is to have another day at sea.

They kept calling my wife on my cell phone. I told the agent that I did all the booking and business and if he continued to call I would not book with Carnival again. I have not received another call.

We have had two suits upfront. One on Princess an one on Carnival. Both were on Pacific Routs to Mexico. The only problem we had was the wind on the balcony coming back from Cabo on the Princess cruise. We did not feel much sway either time. I would be happy to be there again in a new cabin. If we have just a regular balcony we try to get a rear facing balcony and love it.

Let us hope for a recovery for all of PR including San Juan post Maria. They have had significant damage to their power grid and will need tourists when they are able to support visitors. Reports post storm is that power is out for 100% of the island and it will be months before full power is restored.

We are 10 days post Irma and manty are still without power in South Florida.

My thoughts and prayers go to all islands so severely affected by these monster hurricanes.

GET WELL PUERTO RICO!

Checking with Florida Power and Light over 99% of power is back on. Texas is almost 100% I think 99.7%. With other companies coming in to help I expect most of major area to be restored by the week end. They are a US territory and we will send groups over that have power specialty to help. Just depends on how soon roads are cleared and fixed.

Thanks for the pic and information. I think our roll car will be interested in this.

We have 80 on our roll call that leave on the 30th of September.

I have been in PR several times. First, let me tell you that what most people are talking about is Old San Juan which is right off the port. We have never taken the trolley but have walked it and seem many things that we would not have normally. There is also some excellent shopping in that area. We have done land tours as well while spending a few day in San Juan. The rain forest is a wonderful place to visit. Once we rented a car and just drove around and saw some great sites.

This time we will take the ferry over to the Bacardi factory on our own. Very inexpensive and not a problems area. We have never been there but had a friend we travel with a few years ago do it on her own while we shopped.

That is too bad that MSC will not allow you to set up a group rate. I have been on Princess and we have had groups we sat up through them. Each lines business plan is just different.

I'm glad someone is getting things worked out in a very positive way. We always schedule for later flights and take the time to look around.

Thanks for the post. Tom, can we get more info about the photo.

Everyone needs to apply separately for their levels. However, eveyone in the cabin will be invited to the Welcome Back Event on foot of your husband's membership.

Good reply. Some would leave out the last sentence.

I have read nothing but positives about the ships and cruises and am looking forward to ours on the 30th. The only bad things I read and have experienced it myself it the web site and some shore side agents. I am pumped to have a good celebration.

Do you remember the level of service from Royal 10 to 15 years ago? In that case you would likely be very pleased with MSC, and a much lower price to boot.

All lines had better service and food then. My first was in 1999 on a Carnival Cruise that I had won. I was surprised to be met as we boarded and a steward grabbed out carryon's and took us to our cabin. Everyone was met that way. Our first princess cruise was the same way as was HAL. Neither one was with carnival at that time. There was more service in the DR and food was much better on all lines.

Never heard wOmen can't wear shorts, my wife only wears shorts or short dresses on cruises including the 2 on Divina and she was not out of place Ever.

Short dresses are always ok with me.:D

thanks for the info. I have always hated to comeback to a dark quiet cabin or hotel room.

Thanks.

On one cruise we were assigned a table for 4. The couple sitting with us were Asians and spoke only broken English. The woman immediately said "How you get here?" I asked her what she meant by that. She said "How you pay for cruise?" DH and I looked at each other dumbfounded. I told her we were janitors and cleaned office buildings for a living. I told her that we collected aluminum cans all year, cashed them in and that's how we got here! Then she wanted to argue with me about the truthfulness of my statement. WTH! I got up and found the maitre'd and told him the seating arrangement wasn't going to work and to move us. He sat us at a table for 2 then the next night at a table with 2 other couples our age. It was pleasant the rest of the cruise. BTW, I enjoyed telling here the BS story. I wasn't in the mood to be confrontational with her.:evilsmile:

I certainly understand that there are some ridiculous people out there. I never said that some people are aggressive and unreasonable. That is passed the normal give and take of a friendly conversation. I have has some of those experiences as well.

What I was taught and use all the time when someone asked me questions is "why do you want to know." I would have used that in your situation or similar one.

5 hours!! Was dessert served in bed?

We went down and complained. There was no one around. One of the problems was that France and the Philippines were having a disagreement and France would not give the PI workers what they needed to work on the ship. So the whole cruise was under manned. Service was slow because of the labor problems. There were not any Pilipino workers on the ship.

Another response could be:

 

Social services pays for my cruise.:evilsmile:

 

Annie

They do in France.

Love your take.....and stories...I make it a point on cruises not to talk about professions...that always keeps people guessing.

 

 

When people speak about having to much OBC......it's time to say "drinks r on them."

Not necessarily true. I think it is interesting to know what people do in other parts of the world. Not everyone is asking so they can one up the next fellow. It is just chatter. I think Corfe, using the word interrogate is making a big assumption as to why people are interested.

BTW, we don't ask or care what other people paid for their cruise. Nor do we care how much money they have. But it is interesting to find out what they are like personally and what talents and abilities they have. That is not interrogation.

We have always gone to FLL because the flights were cheaper the shuttled to Miami Hotels. Many options to the hotel and from the hotel to the ports. We had a close enough hotel that we took a cab for less that $5. We did not have uber or lyft them either.

Not if you cruise for 3, 4, 5 months at a time as we do. Frankly, I can't do without it for even a week, nor do I want to try.

That is not a vacation, that long is a job, lol.