jules815

9 minutes ago, sidari said:

Jules ... MSC have their own which works and has been proven, why would they follow the other cruise lines ? Time for them and the CDC to learn from MSC.

Oh I know they do, and I agree. But I don't think that will happen. If the big players in the US market are following the CDC guidance, I have a feeling that's what MSC will do for US sailings as well. I could be totally wrong though.

On the MSC website, under Health and Safety Measures, there's a "coming soon" link for Bahamas and Caribbean Cruises. I'm sure that will be updated soon. What their protocols will be is anyone's guess, but I have a feeling they'll follow the other big cruise lines.

9 minutes ago, GOLDENBONNY said:

My question is not only when but how? Do we need to do tests before boarding ?can we go ashore without excursions? Do I need to wear a mask around the ship and on show? I am looking for December cruise. So many questions no answers 

New CDC guidelines released today. 

For vaccinated passengers, no tests required. (unless you're traveling from outside the US)

I don't want to get into the particulars, because each cruise line may be different. For vaccinated passengers though, it looks like cruising could be mostly back to normal.

I hope they 

2 minutes ago, jscruise said:

Agreed.  Many updates, particularly with RCCL.  Have July 31st booked and have been very optimistic that MSC could pull it off given its success in Europe since last year, but with radio silence regarding their US operations, I am beginning to doubt it is going to happen.  Guess I may have to make a quick decision to cancel and switch to RCCL at some point.  Was really looking forward to Meraviglia.

We're booked to sail on Meraviglia mid-October of this year. I just was able to get my FCC transferred to this new booking today. Would be about my luck if they end up canceling this one too. Trying to think positive thoughts!

9 hours ago, Empehi said:

This being 2021 and everything computerized I don't understand why it takes so long to get not only cash refunds but especially FCC (where there is no cash disbursement). It really is a bad stain on RCL.

 

It has been over 60 days for me to get a FCC and I want to apply it to an upcoming cruise later this fall.

I sure hope I get it before Final Payment day so I don't have to shell out more cash!

 

 

It isn't just RC. I've been trying to get an FCC from MSC for months now. Had 3 cruises canceled by them due to COVID, and each time rebooked something 6 months out. Even though our final payment isn't until mid-July, was starting to get a little nervous. FCC is worth almost $5400. And every time I talk to them (been calling every 2 weeks on Wednesday), I have to re-explain my situation. 

Was so annoyed after my call today, that I followed my PR major daughter's advice, which has helped me in the past with other companies. I Tweeted @ MSC and in less than 30 minutes, I had an email from them and everything had been taken care of for me, and my FCC was applied. Could have been a coincidence, but I don't think it was.  My new rule of thumb, when all else fails, Tweet!

HA!  Well, well, well...could it have been the Tweet?? They never replied to my Tweet, but out of the blue, just got an email from MSC, with receipts. Newest booking was canceled and rebooked with the old booking number so they could apply the FCC. We got to stay in the room we wanted. That was all taken care of, leaving us with a $428.55 credit, that I know has to be used online before we sail, can't be used as OBC, plus $200 obc because of an ongoing promotion.

Finally!  

2 minutes ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

My FCC was scheduled to arrive on June 15th but I received the FCC email on May 25th. 

 

Nobody really understands why some FCCs take months (years?) and others arrive ahead of schedule. 

 

 

It's crazy. And there's no way I'm paying any more out of pocket for our new booking. (They actually suggested that, so we don't lose the room we want.) They can't release an FCC from a booking back in October, 2020, for a new booking for October 2021??  

I was told today (again) that once the FCC is released and we go thru the motions of canceling the new booking, then rebooking with my old booking number (apparently the only way an FCC can be used), I will receive the deposit back for the booking that will have to be canceled (the new one), which is a good thing. (Sorry if this is so confusing!)

I've had 3 cruises canceled by them due to COVID. (4/2020, 10/2020, 4/2021)  I took the FCC option in good faith with them that everything would work out. 

I just Tweeted @ MSCUSA, to see if I get a reply. I even played the Diamond member card to see if that helps. So far though, crickets.

Well, just finished checking in with MSC again regarding having the FCC transferred to my new booking. We're supposed to sail in October of this year.  This is probably the 5th call I've made. I'm always nice and have been very patient. I keep getting told that this has been escalated to management, and that nothing can be done until the FCC is available. The FCC is linked to the booking we had for 10/31/20. (We also had a booking for 4/16/21 that they canceled, but for some reason the FCC is linked to the 10/31 booking)  "You'll get an email, or maybe even a call, when the FCC is available."

FCC for some reason, can't actually be linked to our new booking. Once the FCC is available, I'll have to call, and our new booking will be canceled, then hopefully they can quickly rebook using the FCC so we don't lose our room.  I don't understand how hard it is to release the FCC?  I even have an email from them with a FCC reference number. (FCC is worth almost $5400)

Meanwhile, rooms in the YC are booking up. And yeah, our final payment isn't due until mid-July, but the FCC was supposed to be available months ago, and I'm getting nervous. 

So back to waiting. Adding another "Call MSC" to my calendar for 2 weeks out. I have little faith that "management" is working on this, because I've heard it so many times before.

6 hours ago, ziggyuk said:

 

The 5% sitting on the dock waving goodbye to the cruise ships 😂, regardless of what your CDC says, the cruise lines that require 100% will deny you boarding regardless of little local laws.
Better bank on MSC keeping their policy the same as you won't be getting on the likes of NCL 😂

For the 5% unvaccinated that do get to sail, I'm talking about adults using medical or religious reasons as their way onboard, not the children who are too young to be vaxxed, wonder if those people will be required to wear masks? Because it sounds like (at least on Royal Caribbean, and I consider them a big player, if not the lead) mask guidelines on board will continue to be re-evaluated, and vaccinated passengers most likely won't be required to wear them in most places on board.

18 minutes ago, BecciBoo said:

We usually head for one of the restaurants to book or correct any reservations and hopefully snag a deal, then we do the Lido so we can hang out and have that first cocktail until cabin is open.  Once luggage comes, I unpack everything and into the storage in cabin, cases under the bed.  I run a tight ship!

 

That leaves the afternoon and drill, from drill, we grab a drink and go to our secret place, hoping nobody has beat us to it!  To watch sailaway.

Lunch in the Jammer or CK.  I like to have everything unpacked and luggage stowed away ASAP as well.  In a perfect world, it's all done before sailaway, and then I can finally relax and enjoy our cruise. 

3 hours ago, DCGuy64 said:

So true! I’ve priced NCL Haven cabins and they’re easily 3x the cost of YC. Now if we were independently wealthy, that would be different, but we’re not. Celebrity is also too rich for our blood. We’d rather do 3 MSC cruises for the price of one on another line. (Your budget may vary, of course!) 

That's how we ended up trying MSC. I was researching NCL Haven, and MSC Yacht Club kept popping up. Had never even heard of it. Booked Seaside for January 2019 (which was our last cruise) and loved it. 

Mid-October, MSC Meraviglia in their Yacht Club (IF they ever figure out how to apply my future cruise credit to this booking. We've only sailed with them once before, on Seaside in YC, which was fantastic. Unfortunately their customer service has been a total nightmare.)

18 hours ago, ace2542 said:

No but they will ban you for life for refusing. Something I doubt you could appeal in court?

They could confine you to your room...I've seen that on several cruises...then kick you off the ship in the next port. I've seen that happen too.

27 minutes ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Any cruise line. If the port is a Florida port. Not allowed to test or ask for proof of vaccination.

Of course they can.  https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/do-i-need-a-covid-vaccine-to-cruise-what-counts-as-proof

Will MSC follow? I notice on the MSC website's Health and Safety link, it says "coming soon" for travel protocols and safety measures for Bahamas and Caribbean.

12 hours ago, 3kidsncats said:

The weeks between thanksgiving and Christmas, and January/February are some of our favorite times to cruise.  Initially it was because my husband has  fewer gigs that time of year, but it was quickly clear that there are some great deals to be had, and sailing to the Caribbean or Mexico that time of year is lovely.  Our kids are grown, so we no longer need to deal with the school break crowds, bonus!

A few years ago my husband and I did a 10 day Caribbean itinerary on Celebrity that sailed the first week of December. The weather was absolutely perfect. That was one of our favorite cruises. 

27 minutes ago, bouhunter said:

Or folks who want out of the snow 🙂

 

This 100%!  The warmth of the sun, and the humidity feels so good if you live in a cold climate.

14 minutes ago, rattla said:

Mereveglia, Bellisima and Grandiosa all have HOLA Tapas.

Virtuosa and the new Seashore are going to have HOLA Tacos & Cantina

Oh fun! We'll be on Meraviglia in October, and we love tapas and sangria. 

Which ships have this? 

17 minutes ago, drsel said:

Please find out from the MSc call centre if fully vaccinated people need to pay and get a PCR test 48 hours prior to sailing or if the rapid antigen test done by MSc at the port itself will do for fully vaccinated people.

The only problem with this is, the info you get from call centers can vary depending on who you talk to.

4 minutes ago, BecciBoo said:

Wow, we never got to that level here in the whole yr and a half.  Masking/distancing was the only thing they asked at our salons, we had to have an appt.  No temps taken, no affidavits, nothing like that.

It was the same here (Chicago suburbs). Online waiver had to be signed, then you phoned them from the parking lot once you arrived. Someone would unlock the door and take your temp before letting you all the way inside. Any personal items, bag, coat, were put in a large plastic bag for you. They've relaxed a little bit, but you still have to have your temp taken. May have been Aveda corporate guidelines.

38 minutes ago, RedIguana said:

They actually do this in Florida in nightclubs that allow 18-21 years olds in. They were a different color wristband that brands them as under 21 and unable to drink.

Common practice here in Illinois in college towns downstate. In the Chicago area, you can't enter a bar until you're 21. Down in Carbondale, home of Southern Illinois University, you can get into a bar with a different color wristband at 19.

Guys...my daughter just popped in with flowers for Mother's Day, but she also replicated my favorite cruise cookie, the Coconut Ranger! 

My husband and I have been dieting for the past 3 weeks, and today is a treat day. These taste like heaven! She even got the correct crispy / chewy ratio. 🥰

I just called. Again I was told that it will be taken care of, but that it will just take time. Apparently my FCC is linked to my April 2021 booking, and they're having a hard time transferring to my new one. He told me the problem is that I made a new booking before receiving my FCC. I told him I was concerned about getting a room on the deck we wanted (YC, deck 16), and he told me, "YC doesn't fill up until closer to sail date" (huh??) and "there are still a lot of rooms in YC for your sailing." Yes, but there's only one room remaining on deck 16, and a few days ago, even that wasn't available.  Also, not my first rodeo, but thanks for your input.

I told him that my concern is I know people are still waiting for FCC's to be issued for cruises canceled almost a year ago. Our final payment is in, what, 3 months? If I don't get my FCC, there's no way I'm forking over more money. So, pretty much no help...waiting game continues again.

22 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

Completely agree. I have always hated having a million other people touching the utensils, but I like eating in the Windjammer.

Touching the utensils, while picking all the Feta out of the Greek Salad!