Oceans 818

On 3/22/2024 at 1:37 PM, TheLargeFamily said:

Is anyone booked on this new ship? I considered it but the reviews are terrible! Bad food, bars closing early, grumpy service. It seems like you have to do yacht club to have a decent experience. 

Hi, we're booked on the Seascape for Feb/26. Looking forward to it as we've only sailed from Miami or Port Canaveral.

We've yet to sail YC but have found we like MSC and have found the food decent and service excellent with the exception of the 3 night portion of a 10 day out of Canaveral. That part of the cruise was unpleasant due to fellow passengers. Many were rude, abrassive and demanding. Had that been our first, it would have been the last...

20 hours ago, nexttimeclub said:

Bilge has been XXXX_______!   Echo Moon

Sorry, what does this mean???? I know who bilge is but the rest....??

19 minutes ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

My obc credit is only listed if I check my booking on my phone. If i check on the website it doesn't show it anywhere.

 

Friends of ours did the status match after they booked but it was still more than 9 months out but their reservation doesn't show any obc. He has called them a couple times and the reps just make it worse. His gender was listed as female. He called to get it changed and the rep wiped out his whole booking. 

You should screenshot the OBC on your phone incase you need it on the ship if it doesn't show up on your web browser booking.

Have your friend email   MSCExistingReservations@msccruisesusa.com to get his information straightened out. You could try that as well and explain the discrepancy between App & Web. I keep any email pretaining to any issues incase I need to show it on board. 

On 1/20/2024 at 11:12 AM, NancyIL said:

 

I was able to get the 5% savings a week after booking (a whopping $14.90) - but I didn't see a $50 onboard credit mentioned in the list of perks.

Hi Nancy, I'm wondering if the OBC turned up when you look at your booking? And the other I'm wondering, did you make your booking at least 9 months out in order to qualify for the OBC? Asking as have friends that just booked for 2026 and they have no status as yet and MSC said as long as they did a match before final payment the 5%+5%. 

28 minutes ago, JustCruzin77 said:

I just returned from an MSC cruise this month. The package includes any drink up to $10, anything above that you will pay the difference. There are a lot of drinks to chose from in the $10 range. 

Hi, I heardd MSC was going to just paying the difference; but wasn't sure if it had started or not. Glad to hear they have! Thanks

Hi, The following is cut & paste from our upcoming booking.

"Includes all beverages priced up to 9 euro / 10 dollars: choice of frozen and classic cocktails, fresh fruit cocktails, protein shakes, well spirits, liqueurs and cordials, draught and bottled beers, non-alcoholic cocktails, bottled mineral water, hot drinks, 10% discount on bottles of wine purchased on board, wines by the glass and beverage gratuity."

If you bought the Drinks & Wi-fi package or if you pre-purchase it includes all taxes & gratuities. It is good for Ocean Cay & in any specialty restaraunts if you book one. Most frozen drinks are included as well, like frozen Marguritas & Pina Colada etc.

I tried to check how much it would be to purchase as an add on but my bookings aren't showing any additional items right now. I don't know why as they were last week.

Hope this helps

Hi, I get seasick and use the 72hr patches. You can put them behind your ears or about an inch or so below the belly button. I recommend below the belly button as I've seen them on people behind the ears and they look kind of foolish, in my opinion. You can get them on amazon or at some drug stores. I tried the bands and they didn't work for me. The patches are herbal. I try to avoid chemicals as I have liver issues and the herbal is easier on it. But others are correct in that big ships are not like what others are. We have been in gale force winds and barely felt it in the ships motion. Remember when looking out to sea to gaze at the horizon as experts say that will help to stabilize you.

On 6/27/2023 at 3:39 PM, Ashland said:

Any reason why you're using FLL instead of MIA...considering the cost and time involved?

Unless the fares are much cheaper. I've been checking for my March 2024 and MIA is less for my cruise end at POM.

In December last year we had 8 family members on a cruise and ourselves on a different cruise. We all ended up flying into FLL as it was $$$ cheaper than MIA. We rented a car at FLL and dropped it in Miami near the port. Some family ubered it and some took taxi's to port. In December up til the 23rd they had direct flights to YYZ for $25. It was crazy! We flew Delta booked through Westjet. But the actual planes were WJ. Some family flew Delta -WJ down and Flair back to YYZ. Flair was major expensive but they had booked the return flight way in advance of the flight down as it was important to be back by a specific time on the day the ship docked. So not much flexability.

On 7/11/2023 at 3:00 PM, VidaKB said:

Thanks everyone -- ended up with a 1pm flight from FLL so should be plenty of time to get there from Miami.

 

Any suggestions for shuttle service to FLL or should I just take an uber?

Hi, our December cruise we used the ship shuttle from POM to FLL. it was only $27pp and booked it on the ship. While waiting for our bus to FLL there were several shuttle services that pulled up to p/u passengers and one couple would ask them how much to get to FLL . The one driver offered $10 to anyone who wanted to go and the most expensive was $50. There were hundreds in the line for the MIA shuttles and when the FLL shuttle finally showed up, they didn't even ask for proof of payment to get on the bus, which surprised me. We had never booked through the ship before. An Uber was $50 as I had looked into costs in advance.

I would definitely do a walk off. If the ship docks ontime and you walk off, you know you'll be there ontime. If you have to wait and then find your luggage, if the people in front of you are slow have an issue it can cause a long delay. We usually walk off but they told us to do the luggage drop the night before if we were taking the shuttle. It was a mess in the luggage area, and people blocking the doors as it was raining so it held up the hundreds of people behind them, everytime a family would stop and have a conversation in front of you.

2 hours ago, DallasGuy75219 said:

In hindsight, no one physically checked me in onshore or onboard, but the agents had radioed my cabin number to the ship, so presumably someone on the ship checked me in without me being present.  But I am certain that no one ever checked my passport🤭

Hi, we didn't have our passports checked on one cruise and when I said something, the response was "facial recognition is a wonderful thing!" We were doing a B2B; same cruise line, different ships.

Our last cruise, the agent actually asked us a lot of questions about our travel habits. We live on the New York/ Ontario border and cross at least once a week. He said it was the first time he'd seen so many crossings. He was young and we cross alot. Family & shopping on both sides, the best of both worlds!

Hi, we use cruise time parking. book on line. They refund if you call and cancel before the date and it's only $80. including tax for a 7 night cruise. They have a minimum of $50 for short cruises. It's quick to the port and usually quick pickup after disembarkation.

On 11/23/2023 at 11:10 AM, 1kaper said:

Will we sail MSC again?  Maybe, if the price is right.  We are willing to deal with certain things for the right price (by we I mean my family.  I have a friend who I sail with who likes MSC so I'll go with her).  Right now prices seem to be up so it's a no. 

Hi, thanks for the review.

Prices are definitely up. I've been able to find a couple great deals but they are hidden in with all the other bookings.

Not sure if you've looked at booking through a US travel agent. After factoring in a 40% currency conversion rate (hopefully it's less at final payment!) we're saving over $800 per couple CAD on our upcoming bookings. I've only booked through a Canadian TA site once and it wasn't fun to deal with. It's worth checking out the $ differences in bookings. Our Dec/23 sailing we saved a couple thousand (yes thousand) by booking in US. That's been our experience so far.

We sailed the Seaside in May/23 as well and honestly, weren't fans of the experience. Husband wanted to kill the elevators! Glad to hear they may have figured out the issues with them as I've just booked the Seaside for Dec/24, 7 nights! Like you said the price was right

We try to avoid the 3/4 nighters as it seems the people are trying to pack a week into a couple days and it isn't pretty!

Reading this post and some of the visous responses is not making me want to sail NCL anytime soon. As many of these customers seem to be very aggresively judgemental towards their fellow cruisers.

At an average of $100 per day for a drink package, I'm inclined to think the cruiseline has factored in package sharing into the equation along with a healthy profit.

OP said the odd glass of wine, or mocktail. Honestly I doubt the cruiselines are as concerned about this as they are about those who load the plates so full, you couldn't put another olive on it and then leave the plates behind and head for the desert bar. Or in the MDR have several appetizers and mains and only eat parts, leaving the senseless waste behind. Restaurants push alcohol sales as the profit margin is much higher than food margins. But that is my opinon and I find the food waste the more offensive.

Thanks for the great pictures and review. We sailed the Meraviglia out of Port Canavaral, Dec./22. I absolutely agree with you on the public areas are quite loud. That ceiling though is something to behold! We've been looking at sailing out of New York, so I appreciate your review.

Just an FYI the market area in Miami with the ferris wheel is called Bayside Market. Bayside is where all the boat tours of Millionaires Row etc sail from. You can purchase those tours right there or book them in advance.Definitely interesting to wander around. We took the free trolley from the port to it and back when we were doing a B2B in December. The trolley stop was quite a hike from where MSC docks but it was worth it. It runs every 15-30 minutes. I believe it stops near the Carnival docks.

Sorry you missed visiting Ocean Cay, it's a beautiful island, with nice beaches to relax for a day.

No extra fees imposed on Canadian travelers arriving by cruise ship as of December 21,2023. No additional forms to fill out either.

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

it is  an ENTRY TAX    payable upon arrival in Columbia

according to the  Government site

https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/colombia#entryexit

hopefully cruise Pax  will be  exempt  but who knows

Yes it is clear that they are imposing any entry tax on Canadians. It is also clear on the travel.gc.ca site that a check mig form is required. What isn't clear is how to fill out a check mig if the only information it accepts is if you are entering by Air. The other 3 choices do NOT work. I have tried many times to see if they are updated and as of 2 minutes ago, they are not.

OP said his cruise line HAL; advised that there is no form or fee but that could change at any time.

I could care less if Colombia wishes to impose an $85 fee to enter their country; along with an electronic form. I DO care it doesn't interfere with our being able to board the ship and have the choice of paying and getting off in port or foregoing and staying aboard if we haven't filled out the form or do not wish to pay the fee. I'd just like my paperwork in order and clear indication of what is required of us.

What I would appreciate is any Canadian Passport holder who has traveled to Colombia via cruiseship since November 14, 2023 posting what their entry/exit experience was.

per travel.gc.ca website

You must complete a free electronic immigration form (Check-Mig) within 72 hours to 1 hour before:

• boarding a flight to or from Colombia
• entering into Colombia via land, maritime or river crossings 

7 hours ago, jmsnyc said:

What about tipping for drinks , is that included?

If you pre-purchase the drink package or if you have it included with your cruise package the tips and taxes are included.

If you purchase something not included then they add tax & gratuity to the purchase. Same as if you do not have the drink package.

If you purchase your drink package onboard they add the tax & gratuity to the package, so it's best to get it before, if you are thinking of using it. 

There is a $14.50 pp US per day gratuity that is added to your account onboard unless you choose to prepay it either through your TA or by calling MSC direct. The daily gratuity is less for children, but not sure how much.

5 hours ago, lele100 said:

thank you the only thing I see written on my confirmation is the easy plus package and it says drinks and Wi-Fi. Thank you.

If you aren't sure, just ask the bartender/server and they will let you know if it's included or not. My husband likes an occasional Mai Thai and it's not included in the plus package, but the bartender said not to worry he had a solution. Which I believe is he just punched it in differently.

The plus covers most drinks & frozen cocktails; except the high end liquor and some specialty cocktails.

There are plenty of choices and they prefer you to use your smartphone to scan the qr for a drink menu, but will most likely have a physical one that you can look at as well.

Same in the dining room for wine by the glass; the server will let you know what is included if you aren't sure.

A little patience if the bar is busy, they will get to you, usually in a reasonable amount of time. Although some passengers think they are entitled to not have to wait their turn, most are amicable.

It's the same for dining, if you aren't sure, just ask if it's included and they will politely tell you yes or no. Although make sure to check out the chocotier as they do some amazing creations. Love to look at the goodies 🙂 

1 hour ago, trtog7 said:

My TA got  in touch with HAL this morning and they say no form or fee but things could change at any time.

Thanks! That is what I was hoping to hear. 

Safe travels and enjoy your cruise 🙂 

38 minutes ago, VintageCheap said:

Not for US cruise passengers this week we were aware of. 

Colombia recently imposed a $256,000 pesos entry fee on Canadians entering via Aviation, Maritime & Land. The Check-Mig form that is required of Canadians to enter the country and accompanies this fee does not at this time allow the selection of any entry other than Air although it shows other methods by are not selectable. Neither US, nor Canadian citizens require a Visa for short term visits.

trtog7 & I are looking for information on how this is going to affect us entering by cruise ship. Can't seem to find any information on whether we need to find a way to apply for this form and make a payment prior to boarding ships or if it would be imposed upon arrival or if it won't apply to cruise ship passengers only visiting for a few hours.

My suggestion to any fellow Canadian passport holders is to NOT apply for the Check-mig except through the Canadian or Colombian government websites. There are other sites that will take your money to do this. My opinion (for what it's worth) is that if you can't apply and pay through either government's website, then you should not be doing it. Do NOT give your passport and personal information to a site offering you a form for pay; that you can't get from a government that would be the one requiring it.

As of this morning, it can NOT be done by either site, as I have tried.

5 hours ago, trtog7 said:

Is this a fee we have to pay even if we do not get off the boat? Most countries want you to have a Visa even if you stay on the boat be cause you are in their waters.

Need to do this no earlier than 72 hours before we arrive in Columbia. At that time, we will be in Fort Lauderdale and I would rather not put my credit card out through hotel wifi

Canadians don't need a visa to enter Colombia.

The electronic immigration form on the travel.gc.ca website only works for Air travel, so no idea if there is something else that needs to be filled out.

Has your cruiseline been able to give you any further information? I used an American travel agency and they aren't familiar with Canadian issues.

As this will only affect a very small percentage of the ship's passengers, I don't see it as being an added cruiseline fee. Especially, when/if the cruiseline hasn't any useful information as to what or if the new fee will pretain to it's passengers. This may change in the less than 2 weeks to sailing once they all figure out how and when they will be charging tourists.

I still haven't been able to find any information on whether it will be even a real thing on a cruise port stop of a few hours. 

We did B2B with MSC out of Port Canavral and had to gather in the lounge. We then were escorted off the ship, through facial recognition in immigration and back on the ship. We could see the people waiting to be boarded for the upcoming cruise through the windows in the terminal.

It took about 90 minutes from start to finish, but part of that was there were people that didn't bother to join us in the lounge until they were found and brought by crew to do the re-entry process.

MSC did close our account for the first leg and start a new one for the 2nd. They also gave us new cruise cards in the lounge. As we had the same room, we had no issues with having to pack up and move luggage.

On 11/15/2023 at 9:26 PM, love2travel2146 said:

We have booked a free walking tour in Cartagena. We are to meet at plaza Santa Teresa in the Old City. I have a few questions:

 

I need to take a taxi to get to the tour. Can I get a taxi by the port? Is there a set fee to get to the Old City? Do I need to set the price before I get in? And can I use US dollars to pay for the taxi? Or credit card?

 

Also, once the tour is over and we want to tip the tour guide, would US dollars be appropriate? 

 

Thanks so much. 

On trip advisor, I found that it is approx. 15,000 pesos for a taxi to the old city, which is under $4 US. Not sure if that is per person or total. Make sure you agree on a price before getting in the taxi. I plan on changing $40 at a currency exchange before sailing and yesterday it was $140,000 pesos for $40 US. 

Most posts say that if you pay US it will be alot more than the $4. Also, from those that have been they have said that if you exit the port there is a taxi stand with a board and prices posted. Do stop or talk to those offering until you look at the board, then you pick which taxi you want. Make sure to get one with AC as it will be hot & humid.

I suggest you take small US bills if you don't plan on taking any COP as you may not get US back in change and will get a very terrible exchange rate.

To make local conversion easier I check on the exchange rate by putting $10 in a currency converter online and seeing what that is local so as to have a baseline when negotiating the costs. MSN homepage has a currency on the Money part usually US-CAD and you can change the currency by clicking it and enter the amounts to see. IE: today's rate is $10 US= $39,684.40 COP.

There are probably apps you can put on your cell phone, but I hate apps.

It's not as complicated as I make it sound, but over explaining is one of my flaws!

16 hours ago, MacMadame said:

It should be covered by the "Port Fees" we pay as part of the cruise price.

It's a new fee on Canadian's only. Just came into effect on Nov.14/23.

MSC's response: "Please check with your travel advisor, government agency, Embassy or Consulate etc."

Haven't found any clarity form either government website.

I agree with OP that $85pp is more than we are willing to pay for look around Cartegena for a few hours.

Perhaps if someone has already been to Colombia on a port stop could tell us if there are formal customs & immigration or if it's like entering Jamaica or Mexico from a cruise ship with no passport required; just your cruise card.

Great questions and I'm looking for the same answers if anyone should have them. Thanks

31 minutes ago, lor74 said:

How are we enjoying….a review will be coming.  Prob our first and last MSC cruise!

Sorry to here that.

We've enjoyed ours for the most part, except for a couple little hiccups. With the exception of the 3 day cruise part of a 10 day last December, but that was the quality of the cruisers and not really MSC's fault the ship was full of entitled, loud, obnoxious partiers. That was also the Meraviglia out of Port Canaveral. It was a turnoff for sure. Hoping it doesn't repeat on the 3 day part of our December sailing out of Miami.