CarolinaQC

Hi everyone,

In the month of december our MSC cruise will be anchored in Dominica. We are currently looking for tours covering Ti Tou Gorge and Trafalgar Falls. Is is our first time there and we are struggling to find reviews on the companies we have found so far. Are there are any companies you can recommend for tours there?

So far these are the ones we have found to still be operating: 

- KHATTS Tours 

- Venture Ashore 

Do you have feedback about any of them? Do you recommend any other company?

Thank you!

2 hours ago, kerryincork said:

What ever you do don't give them your debit card details. You can use this at the end of the cruise to pay off your account.

 

As people have said if you pay in (which is OK) you just have to close your account on the last night. All you have to do is keep an eye on the queues and jump in when it is less busy. This will probably be around dinner time or when a show is on. It's not the end of world if you have to queue for an hour.

 

On MSC you set up your payment method on Board so no one in the port will be asking for credit card details. If anyone asks just tell them you are going to service desk to pay with cash.

Perfect, thank you so much, it was really helpful!

11 hours ago, slei15 said:

You don’t have to on MSC, however, if you do decide to buy something on your card or charge anything to your cabin it will take you forever to stand in line and settle your account on debarkation day. 

5 hours ago, kerryincork said:

what fears do you have that you don't want to use cash /credit card?

Thank you very much for all the answers!
It's not that I've fears in using credit card, it's actually the matter of not having one of my own 😔 ...
The cruise trip was a gift for graduating this year, I don't really have money of my own, so I don't want to/can't really spend anything more on board... 
Will be taking debit card with money basically to emergencies and things I really need (so I also really didn't want to have that money bloqued to cruise use)...
What would you recomend? Maybe if that's really possible I rather not associate any kind of card/money and "take the risk" of having to wait in line at the end...
 

This might be too much to ask but have any ideia if Revolut cards work as credit cards on board?

Hi! I'm boarding MSC Meraviglia soon. I'm a first time cruiser so I have a lot of doubts about the overall cruise world. 
I've read you are expected to associate your credit card to the cruise card once on board. I've got a drinks package and I've pre-paid gratuities. I really don't want to buy anything else on board, do I still have to associate a credit card to my onboard account // do I still have to leave a cash deposit? Am I obligated to do so? Not really sure how this works... 
Thanks in advance, I've learner A LOT with cruise critic, thank you so much you all!

Good to know! Thank you so much!
I actually have an excursion booked with cavetubbing.bz so I believe I have to get to Belize as early as possible... So I better line up before distribution starts as you said!!
Thank you so much for all the information, had no ideia!! 

On 11/19/2019 at 2:10 AM, cellfree said:

Belize Tender if on Ship Excursion - will be told where/when to meet on ship. 

Sorry if it is a silly question (first time cruiser), but without a ship excursion, how do you get on land in Belize then? Do I need some kind of ticket? Does it cost extra?

22 hours ago, travelberlin said:

Good to know that we can not benefit from price drop. I have noticed, however, at least on the cruises we have booked with MSC, that there was never a price drop. We are fine with that. I think MSC puts prices according to some criteria and those prices more or less remain stable. With other cruise lines (Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Azamara) many times they put very expensive/unrealistic  prices and once they can not sell the itineraries start dropping extremely or give it to consolidators. 

 

Thank you very much, that is really good to know for future cruises! 

Thought about that, ours was higher, it is not worthwhile 😞 
But thank you very much for the hint 😄 

2 hours ago, nikkiw60 said:

If you are in UK the price we book at is what we pay. Once you have booked don’t check the price again...

Portugal, but it's probably the same policy...
Thank you very much. It was a long shot but had to ask! 😄

Hi! I know this question has already been posted here but I didn't quite understood what I could do.
I've booked the MSC Meraviglia leaving from Miami december 8th 2019. I've booked in March (in Europe, I've understood that might be important), but now I've noticed a price drop...
Is it possible to to make my price drop or at least get some kind of upgrade/onboard credit?
I'm new to cruising, have no ideia how it works, sorry if it is a stupid question.
Thank you very much 

Hi! Does anyone know how this works on MSC? I'm going on meraviglia in december and I've just realized a price drop on my inside cabin...

Totally agree, got excited with the animals at first, now seeing that "free" animals on their habitat don't exist in roatan, I'm not that interested... 

Thank you so much for your replies! I understand the animals are a way of living for the locals, just not shure I want to be a part of it and get sad for the rest of the trip... There is so many things to do in Roatan, maybe opting for something else. Thank you very much!

Hi!

I'm cruising to Roatan in December and I really would like to see Roatan's wildlife, monkeys, sloth, birds... I've seen a lot of options, however, I'm really worried about the animal's well-being ... I really don't want to see just caged animals and leashed monkeys who are there only to make tourist happy... Do you know about some REAL sanctuary, some natural reserve or something like that were I could find the animals in safe and good conditions?

Thank you very much

Thank you so much for your reply! 
Do you have any experience with cavetubing.bz? They have great prices (so much better that make us wonder if it is any good).

Wich excursion company do you recomend to visit Altun Ha?

Hi!
Me and 5 friends are going on MSC Meraviglia in December and we are stoping at Belize.
We are quite on a budget, we want to save as much money as possible, but we also whant to enjoy belize and not just stay on the boat...
What's the best and cheapest thing to do in Belize?
I've read about caye caulker ferry bus and about King David tours..  Do you have other recomendations? 
Thank you very much

1 hour ago, Guest 2000 said:

There are two ports on Roatan.  Which port does your ship use? 

 

The minibus runs from the middle of Coxen Hole to West End, they are all kinds of safe, they are on a schedule of every 15mins, they stop anywhere along the route so time to West End varies, figure at least 20 mins. The big worry is space on the bus, the locals use the minibus as a means of getting from point A to Point B.. with five in your group it may be a challenge or you may have some dirty locals from the locals who have NO money and you have paid for a cruise to get to the island. 

 

Another option is collectivo taxi, one would have to walk all the way out to the main road. If you speak Spanish and if you have haggle skills you could get them down to something reasonable per person. The problem here is you would need a taxi back and those guys are not going to be denied knowing you have to be back to a ship.   http://tourismroatan.com/about-roatan/getting-around

 

 

Ahhh better yet... take c-legs advice with a Bodden Shuttle to Sol Y Mar.  Wait, is it only sand you seek? I am still not sure Sol Y Mar is swimmable. 

Thank you very much for your reply!
Coxen Hole I believe!
When you say that the minibus runs from the middle of Coxen Hole, how far is it from the cruise port? Is it safe to walk around Roatan?

1 hour ago, c-leg5 said:

 

I think MSC use Coxen Hole? If so your cheapest transport would be Bodden to Sol y Mar, $20pp. Since there are 6 in your group it would be $25pp for a pre booked private driver for the day so that might be an option, depending on your budget and you could stop other places too.

 

West Bay is the most popular destination but it is further and shuttle transport will be more than Sol y Mar.

 

Mini bus is a possibility but no pre determined schedule and i dont think I would like to rely on it for a return trip on a cruise ship day. YMMV.

Yes, Coxen Hole I believe
Thank you very much, that seems a nice idea.
Guest 2000 said that mar y sol may not be swimmable, do you know if it is? Ever been there? Do you recommend it?

Hi!

Me and other 5 friends are going on MSC Meraviglia in December and we are stoping at Roatan.
We really want to enjoy the beach but we are quite on a budget, we want to save as much money as possible...
What's the best and cheapest way to get to the beach?
I've read about taking the local mini bus. The stop is near the cruise port? Its easy to get there? Do you think it is safe and a good option? 
Thank you very much

Hi! 
Me and 5 friends are cruising on MSC Meraviglia in December 2019 wich stops at Costa Maya, Belize and Roatan. We are quite on a budget and shore excursions are really expensive. All we want is to have nice days at the beach. Do this ports have beaches near? If so, what's de best (and cheapest) way to get there? Do any of them have beaches at a walking distance? Are the beaches paid?

Also, it's my first time with MSC, any tips?

Thank you very much.