ken98230

After 18 months our money has finally been refunded to our CC. 

Countless phone calls and emails later it is done.

Good luck to all.

I don’t recall in that case but I normally shop extensively.  Usually I end up booking with a US based discount cruise agency unless it is a casino offer.

On 6/4/2021 at 12:19 AM, drsel said:

Aren't the US prices the lowest of all MSC country websites?

My experience is that it varies.  Last year we booked another trip and it was less expensive to book with MSC Canada that with MSC US.  Looked like they Canadians were getting a break on the exchange rate.

Sorry for the slow update.  A few comments about questions asked by others.

We booked through MSC US because at the time, MSC had no Canadian presence. 

After being told we could cancel our cruise by the MSC Canada, we cancelled our flights, this was at the beginning of March.  Of course our ship actually sailed from Dubai, made one stop and ended up in Genoa which further complicated things because our ship actually sailed.

We were told we could rebook.  Then told we couldn't.  Got an agreement that they would refund us because there was no way to transfer a cruise credit between the US and Canada.  Told we would have our refund in 7 to 10 days.  This was at the beginning of March 2020.

Then all the COVID issues took a solid hold and we have been asking for our money back ever since.

Finally last week I got a phone call, an apology and a notification that our refund would be back to us in one to two billing cycles.

Now we will wait and see for the money to show up.

I was fortunate to book the cruise with a US credit card so my refund will go back to that card.  Funds will be used to book a future cruise.

Any update on March refunds?

We still have nothing.  No answers to emails and vague responses to phone calls.

Of course they are able to send me offers to book new cruises almost daily.

Positive.  Filed the claim and it was rejected because more than 60 days had passed since the start of the trip.

After more than 6 months waiting for a promised refund I still don't have it.  Of course Chase will do nothing since the cruise was more than 60 days ago.  Will never book using their credit card again!

Today after sending another request for my refund I was advised I need to fill out the form to choose a refund or FCC.  No idea why I couldn't have been told that months ago.  My cruise was for March 12 and the form stated cruises from March 14th but I submitted it anyway.

Just a suggestion that you may have already tried is to log in to MSC and see if it brings up your newly assigned cruise.  In our case our new cabin showed up under “Cruise Details”  This was about a week ago.  Today we got the email advising the date and ship change.

On 6/25/2020 at 11:24 AM, Owenny said:

Hi Ken, can you let me know where you found the April itinerary? We were due to sail on Seaview as well and are awaiting further info from MSC regarding the change, but haven't seen any new or updated itinerary bar the departure / arrival dates. 

Here is the itinerary:  Ship changed to Fantasia

34 minutes ago, Owenny said:

Hi Ken, can you let me know where you found the April itinerary? We were due to sail on Seaview as well and are awaiting further info from MSC regarding the change, but haven't seen any new or updated itinerary bar the departure / arrival dates. 

Sorry I am not 100% sure it was a Seaview itinerary or the old Lyrica itinerary I was looking at.  I just recall that it included a few stops that I would enjoy like Haifa.

I am really surprised that MSC has not given us more info.  My last conversation with them indicated that the info wouldn't be available until July 2nd.

5 hours ago, emmas gran said:

 

No worries! Just confirmed with MSC our 13th March Dubai to Genoa is now 10th April and we /Travel agents will be notified early July. As I have already booked flights to Dubai and have another holiday booked in April (cancelled this year due to virus) it isn't much use to us.

We were to take this cruise as well.  Flights already purchased with at least $600US in cancellation fees.

We can’t travel in April so not sure what is going to happen.  Still have not been reimbursed for last March sailing from Dubai.

Hope you are able to go in April as it looks like a much better itinerary.

CRUISE ITINERARY UPDATES

11/03/2020

https://www.msccruises.com/en-gl/About-MSC/News/Itinerary-Updates-Covid-19.aspx

Here is the only other mention I could find.

https://splash247.com/uae-suspends-all-cruise-ship-operations/

I would think UAE closing to all cruise ships would be bigger news than just two mentions.  

Pop was about $3.50 a can including gratuity on our cruise in March. (Canary Islands) We didn't know that you could no longer bring any beverages aboard at all. Water or pop and had to throw away what we had when we boarded. (We definitely weren't the only ones unaware of the new policy.)

Sorry if I read this wrong.

 

I still do not know what "4 cabin luggage" means.

Cabin luggage are bags that you don't have to check on the airline. They typically will fit in the overhead bin or if small enough under the seat in front of you. Also, on some airlines they don't charge for them so you can save some $$$.

Great way to travel - with checked bags averaging $25 each - for a family of 4 you save a ton. Every bag you don't check saves you $50 on a round trip.

We sailed March 2016 and I recall a lounge (roped off area with chairs) where we waited to board. I think check in was separate but not 100% sure. It was definitely better than the regular long lines.

Not sure about the MDR as we just had a bite at the buffet.