southwestie

16 minutes ago, tscoffey said:

Already grabbed 5 nights at the Hotel Lancelot. Walkable to most places east of the Tiber, as well as Termini for train trip to Naples/Pompeii.

I know the area.  Enjoy

18 minutes ago, Judy Arthur said:

 

If you booked through a huge agency, you might be lucky, too.

I have booked via a large uk  agency. So still hopeful

1 hour ago, sierradelta said:

We booked a guarantee veranda and have not yet had our booking cancelled.  It makes no sense.

No. It's really odd. .

12 minutes ago, tscoffey said:

I had no idea whether or not my May 27th cruise would have been impacted eventually, so I just decided to switch away from Japan and over to Greece, and pay the $200 charge. Too much to worry about with this situation.

Plus, the money we will save on airfare ($400-500 each), Tokyo hotels for 5 nights before/afterwards ($700-800), and very expensive shore excursions, allows us to have 3 extra days pre-cruise in Athens, plus 5 extra days post-cruise in Rome.

And, the replacement Athens/Israel/Egypt/Turkey cruise is almost 2 months earlier (early April versus late May) than the Japan cruise was.

 

There’s also the fact that my wife has been putting the bug in my ear that she wants to see visit Israel soon.

 

I’m more than happy with this decision.

Enjoy rome. There is a fantastic hotel 20 mins bus ride from the center

 A roma.  

41 minutes ago, anniegb said:

Thanks - I have escaped unscathed so far and I have a refundable air ticket.  Plans B and C are in place.

 

The cynic in me thinks they have treated the linked bookings in the manner they have hoping to release more cabins if the whole linked booking cancels.

 

I appeciate as a solo, I could not obtain my pricing in the current market place for Japan by cruise ship.

 

To end on a positive note, I know organising a land trip to Japan to make use of non-refundable air tickets is not difficult( I have done it)  and possibly more relaxing.  Just use the Ta-q-bin service.

 You have been treated badly.  And I hope you get a trip sorted and have a wonderful  time. Your right about releasing more cabins.

Just now, anniegb said:

OK different dates.  Thanks for respondin.

 

I know one of the linked bookings is definitely on my date - October 24th.

Hope it works out for you.

Just now, anniegb said:

May I ask what is your sailing date??

 

I ask because of I know of at least 2 linked bookings (one with 2 cabins and another with 6 cabins) that have had inside and ov cabins cancelled for half of their party.

4th march 2024. I did see that

58 minutes ago, pmarrsouth said:

How do you have access to this inventory?

I was able to look it up. Even to day it shows up under taylor made holidays.  Mine is. Northeast Asia cruise.   Its now showing only inside and ocean view. So hopefully  they have stopped cancelling.  But who knows. It's a real mess

Looking today from my TA.

I will try and send a photo.

28 minutes ago, wahwah1 said:

Almost. I booked an assigned balcony cabin (not GTY) and selected a high deck room. The balcony cabin # is still attached to my reservation.

 

They had 3 triple oceanview left on Friday located on deck 2 (2 cabins) and one cabin on deck 3. 

 

There is no access to know the inventory on the ship. I heard the first agent said they still have conceirge left after chatting with her for long time prior sending me to the escalation line.

 

The second agent has access to assign cabins, but for my particular case, she could only assign me oceanview and reviewed my other alternatives (e.g. cancel / shift and lift). Since I haven't discussed with my parents on the options, I said I will call back within 1 hr before they close.

 

After 1 hr, I called back, the third agent told me for any changes, they will need a backend agent. She told me I only got 1 downgrade option per my letter and she cannot go by the notes on my reservation. (My letter is downgrade from balcony to oceanview with $700 OBC).

 

My understanding is the option is set and they cannot deviate from it. No matter whether the compensation is fair or not. 

 

If you check the pricing for triple balcony with 3 perks vs oceanview with 3 perks, you will understand the difference is $1900 cad in oct 2024. They only offered $700 OBC and not even a reduction to my fare.  I can tell you a triple balcony fare is more than a double balcony fare for the 1 stateroom and now celebrity wants to keep the triple balcony fare for a triple oceanview room.

It's a nightmare.

So far for us nothing has changed. So  hopeful.  

It really is a mess

20 minutes ago, pmarrsouth said:

How do you have access to this inventory?

It's still showing here. But you can see it but can't  purchase  anything

35 minutes ago, wahwah1 said:

That's a downgrade. Assigned balcony to GTY oceanview.

 

Thanks anniegb for responding.

Oh. That's not good.. so you booked a balcony  on gty. And you have an OV. Still on gty or a cabin number.  Your still on the cruise.

Yet there are still concierge  cabins. They sould have upgraded you

7 hours ago, wahwah1 said:

FYI, i got assigned cabin and booked a specific category (e.g. not guarenteed) and still got bumped out.

Well that is bad. You have been upgraded.

1 hour ago, wahwah1 said:

FYI, i got assigned cabin and booked a specific category (e.g. not guarenteed) and still got bumped out.

But your not saying the cabin grade.  Inside,  verander and retreat are sold out. Concierge  and others have lots of cabins. They seem be bumping off the guarantee first.  Some cabins  seem to double or triple booked.

It certainly is odd what ever there doing

2 minutes ago, patty1955 said:

We have a cabin number and we booked FBC so I'm hoping we're safe.

My TA thinks. Usa guarantee  bookings are most likely  to be cancelled.  But who knows. I'm sure the guarantee  booking with no cabin would be cancelled  before cabins with numbers.  The ship clearly is not oversold.  Only some cabins.  Inside.  Verander  and retreat are oversold. . But the way its happening  who can say.  My TA said we are booked . I also read it could be a complete deck because japan wants them for possible  quarantine.  I know our last 2 cruises did have a deck for Quarantine.   Its all a mystery.

Hopefully by now it's all sorted out. Let's hope so

8 minutes ago, patty1955 said:

When you call about your cruise, you give them your name and confirmation number. They don't look it up by cabin number. 

We're on the March 4, 2024 Asian cruise and a couple of people have reported that this affects them. Since we're in a veranda cabin, I'm keeping a close eye on the situation. 

Veranda cabins are some of the oversold  cabin. Do you have a cabin number. Or a guarantee  cabin

7 hours ago, Larasmum said:

We all had assigned cabins.   Still pressing on, but coming to the sad acceptance that we won't all be able to go on this cruise.

There is no logic to anything.

13 minutes ago, clojacks said:

We originally booked the 14 day Millennium for 3-28-21, on 1-31-19. It got cancelled due to COVID. When it cancelled, we rebooked onto the Solstice 14 day for 3-27-22. Due to uncertainty in the region, we it switched to the 14 day 3-28-23 on the Solstice, that Celebrity turned around and cancelled, offering us the 12 day 3-28-24 sailing on the Millennium, that we took. So, 4 booked sailings later, a largely different itinerary than we originally were excited about, and 2 days less in Japan, there is a very large part of me that would love to have Celebrity take my A2 cabin and I would jump at the paltry, insulting $450 offer!

Nightmare

10 minutes ago, NMTraveller said:

There seem to be a number of people that would have volunteered to take the offer.  Why Celebrity did not try this approach is beyond me.

I'm sure many people certainly would..  

1 hour ago, Larasmum said:

There may be 259% more oceanview cabins on the Millenium, but it still didn't stop Celebrity from cancelling two oceanviews plus a prime verandah from our six linked reservations.

1 hour ago, Larasmum said:

There may be 259% more oceanview cabins on the Millenium, but it still didn't stop Celebrity from cancelling two oceanviews plus a prime verandah from our six linked reservations.

 

Say hi to beautiful  mississauga. 

Your cabins. We're they all numbered or guarantee  cabins.  It's unbelievable they would that to you

6 minutes ago, neverlaysup said:

For my sailing, the TransPac, we have a Sky Suite. There are about 20 less on the Millie than Solstice so if they are going by who paid the least in an effort to maximize revenue....we are screwed. We got the deal of the century back in 2019 when we booked for the May '20 crossing. We have been fortunate to lift and shift it multiple times and our fingers are definitely crossed that we don't get the dreaded phone call or email.

We got a deal  ftom lift n ship. Drinks wifi etc all in. £500 obc and 3 tours Inc. £2500 less than we paid. But took  a concierge cabin. Heard nothing yes. Insides. Veranda. . Retreat all sold out.

My TA feels. They think that Americans  well get cancelled  if they have gty cabin and because they can cancel. Not sure how true but time will tell.

We have a c2 cabin number  and no emails

On 4/18/2023 at 5:35 PM, neverlaysup said:

Pay it in full now!

Hope yours works our. Insides seems to the oversold on my cruise.  But you may be upgraded . Not cancelled

On 4/18/2023 at 3:11 PM, Miaminice said:

I just got off the phone with Celebrity and had the usuall freaky experience.

I asked about our 10/24 Southern Japan cruise and if our booking is one of the cancelled bookings.

 

Rep: Cruise is cancelled
Me: Booking or cruise?
Rep: That is the same.

Me: No, it´s not the same. Cruise is oversold and only certain bookings are cancelled...
Rep: Please hold .... 5 minutes later...

Rep: I reread the information, only certain bookings

Me: Mine?
Rep: No
Me: When will I know for sure?
Rep: Well, your booking is red. So you are cancelled. We can offer bla bla bla
Me: I am not willing to do anything before I receive an official information that my booking is cancelled. And I did not!
Rep: Please hold... 10 minutes ...
Rep: I spoke to a supervisor. Your booking is not cancelled.
Me: (confused) And which info is correct? I am about to book excursions etc.
Rep: Go ahead and book but keep checking your emails...

 

I spoke several times. I was that overbooked is wrong only oversold on verander. Inside and retreat. They are trying to move people around. 

2 hours ago, capriccio said:

I wonder how comparable the ships and cruise lines are. 

 

Since Virgin Voyages is a brand new cruise line, can you please provide a comparison of the ships:

• the size,
• the number of passengers at full capacity and the number on board,
• the number of crew at full capacity and the number on board,
• the fare, and
• the perks included in the fares you paid.

 

Then we can see if you are comparing apples to apples or apples to oranges.  Plus we can learn more about Virgin Voyages.

 

Thanks.

This is nothing to do with compassion. but service or lack of. You can compare it to others ships or truck stops lol. This is the experience and service just on this ship 

3 hours ago, desire882x said:

Hi Folks,

 

I've just got back from a 7 night cruise on MSC Virtuosa and wanted to share my experience. I've been on 4 cruises (a mixture of Royal Caribbean (Symphony of the seas etc. and Virgin Voyages) and I'm in my 30's.  I want to share my experience as I noticed there are very few reviews of this ship.  I've written some quick bullet points of my overall experience, I'll write a few review and post it on the review section of this website.

 

I was on the 4th Sept - 11th Sept Cruise around the UK (Portland / Liverpool / Greenock / Southampton). I will be comparing my experience with Virgin Voyages as I was on Scarlet Lady a few weeks ago.

 

Initial Embarkation Procedure

I arrived at Southampton at my allocated time, I was met with long queues all the way around the building with limited social distancing and hardly any people wearing masks. After around an 1hr 15 mins my temperature was taken and I was let inside the terminal. After another 30 minutes we were asked to show our cruise ticket...we then queued again and another desk asked to show our proof of vaccine. We then joined another queue to have our tests, after this we were then told to go to the security check. At this point we were asked to show our passports, we were then were advised to go upstairs and queue at another desk and were asked to show all our documents (Insurance / Proof of Vaccine / Passport / Boarding Pass etc.) At this point we were given a 'Watch' which we were told was for contact tracing. We then waited for our results and finally could board. Total time was just under 3 hours.

 

I felt the process was quite complex compared to Virgin in terms of showing different documentation at each desk. With Virgin I found the process much more simpler.

 

1) Stage 1 Show Tickets / Proof of Vaccine and Passports

2) Stage 2 take Covid Test

3) Stage 3 - Get Results

4) Stage 4 - Show Boarding Pass and get on board.

 

Positives

Room was a good size and house keeping did a good job tidying up

 

The Main Dinning Room is impressive and the service is great here

 

Food was very average in the buffet but did the job...

 

Shows were pretty okay

 

F1 Simulator was good

 

Negatives

 

Serious Lack of Staff in all areas

 

Staff are really worn out and unhappy (Spoke to 5 members of staff who openly told me they can't wait to get off the ship)

 

Ship is running a 'skeleton service' buffet restaurant was only ever 50% open at lunch time, there are only two places to go for breakfast with the one restaurant

closing at 9:30am!

 

Massive Massive Massive Queues for Breakfast (on some days) often wait times of 40 minutes+ to get it

 

Really BAD Processes in place...e.g some stuff you can only book in person such as tickets for shows / restaurants and F1 Simulator / Golf ETC, some stuff you book on your TV/ Phone app ..so it can be confusing having pieces of paper with Spa Bookings and Restaurant Reservations as a lot of stuff does not sync with the App!

 

A lot of processes don't make sense for example to make reservations for the restaurants you have to go to the Bar?

We had numerous issues such as the sensor / lock on our door not working, we queued a total of 8 hours over 2/3 days just to resolve this simple issue. 

 

House keeping staff unfriendly for example we needed more toilet paper was told we had to request this via guest services as apparently house keeping staff are not allowed to give toilet paper to guests directly....

 

Lots and lots of noise at night...we were in a balcony cabin on the 13th floor and every night there were lots of banging which we believe was from the staff as it happened every night at 11:45pm - 3:30am. I am guessing this was the staff performing some sort of maintenance?

 

Lack of Drinks on board - Despite having the drinks package, a lot of drinks were unavailable for example there were no fruit juices. After 24 hours on board some restaurants had ran out of Coca Cola Cans and resorted to providing a 'water downed version' of diet coke to guests.

 

Food not labelled on board in terms of allergens or diet (Vegan etc.) Staff unsure of what was in food.

 

A lot of machines in the Arcade are not working and the guy who runs this is the most rude unfriendly person you could meet in your life! I lost around 16 credits on broken machines and was told by the guy 'not my problem speak to guest services'.

Way too many people on board I felt like the ship was 85% capacity I was told it was around 60%+

I felt the slot machines were set to a real 'low win rate' could just be my experience but I didn't win anything...

 

There were confirmed covid cases on board, a lot of people were not wearing masks and no one was enforcing this. After covid began spreading on board more announcements were played on the ships speaker to social distance etc. 

 

Music Lounge / Piano Player - opposite guest services so its very hard to even speak to guest services when you have music blaring in the background!!

 

Queues to get drinks....why not have soft drinks such as water etc in a vending machine to allow guests to get drinks themselves ?

 

Confusing Processes- Guests are allowed to get cold drinks in the buffet but are not allowed to get hot drinks...?

 

Arcade - Very very old games stuff that you would expect to find a carboot sale!

 

Confusing Advice - Guest Services saying don't use your watch for any payments its only for contact tracing and all restaurants asking to you to show your watch to order drinks....

 

Strange Disembarkation Process - Guests are removed from their rooms at 8am, and again ques to disembark.

 

Conclusion

 

A very very different experience compared to my cruise with Virgin Voyages in Covid Times...

 

I had multiple issues on board mainly not being able to get into my room, which resulted in my card being reprogrammed which resulted in my fun pass not working, the wifi not working and generally not being able to use my card with anything.

 

I spent in total 14 hours of my holiday at guest services...when I asked to speak to a supervisor I was told I would have to wait in my room most of the day for them to ring. Apparently the supervisors don't see anyone face to face!

 

When I did speak to a supervisor they just said 'sorry we can't do anything complain to MSC when you get back on land' they would not give any compensation, no restaurant vouchers, no spa vouchers, nothing.

Overall this is a cruise I would not recommend you go on...even when more staff are made available the processes on board are just confusing and don't make sense! For a brand new ship the processes are outdated....

 

P.S - I can confirm the stories posted online regarding this cruise are true with the high number of covid cases being present on board. MSC should of really not allowed more passengers to board at Liverpool and Greenock the ship needs a full decontamination. This morning I saw another several hundred guests queuing to get on board....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well after 64 cruises this was the worst ever. We were on the ship and lunch by 12 30.  Staff and room steward perfect. No noise. But I was on deck 10.

 

Lines were long as you said. I went to reception  .got nowhere. I stood and demanded the manager and was given access to the dining rooms for breakfast and lunch by using his name. Not good. But needs must. 

 

Got drinks ok but seating was shocking. No nibbles with drinks. Shows poor.  Whole experienced was poor.  Very poor. Nothing will get me back on