gizfish

6 hours ago, kernie968 said:

Sorry this was the Meraviglia from 3/31 to 4/7/2024. We had sailed on Royal Thanksgiving week in 2023 and had no problems with kids or food. 

Spring break is horrible on any cruise line with kids. It doesn't compare to Thanksgiving.  To take a week long cruise around turkey day, the kiddos have to be pulled from school for at least 3 days.  Less parents book at that time.  Also turkey day is more of an extended family eating traditional food type holiday, again meaning less kids than spring break.

Hash browns, cookies and now this...oh the humanity.

The lounges above the OP's cabin are bolted to the floor.  The tiny teak tables are not going to be heard through their ceiling.  If you looked at the deck plans, you would see the spot their cabin is, is pretty far away from the therapy pool.  I have never seen staff use rolling carts in the relaxation area to collect towels as the collection bins are near the exit area.  Few people leave a towel on the lounges....certainly not often enough to require rolling bins to be used.  Besides if those theoretical bins were annoying enough to people in rooms below, don't you think they would be annoying as heck to the actual lounge area users?  It's nice that crew gets to use the spa at times.  Thanks for passing that info on.

16 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

OP did not ask when is the time to get the auto charges increased. 

OP asked when is the time to get the auto charges reduced or eliminated. 

When I said possibly planning to be more generous, I meant by tipping who they wanted personally.  Sorry you did not understand what I was implying.

12 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

It is never a good time to try and stuff the hard working crew who work 7 days a week, 10-12 hours a day. Pay your daily service charge and tip more. That’s what most people do. 

It doesn't matter what "most" people do.  But more importantly how on earth can you propose to know that most people tip more?  Has there been some exit survey that only you know about?  Tipping is a personal choice, and to try to bully people to go along with what you choose to do by saying "most" do, is just wrong.

8 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

I read it and found nothing to convince me to change my mind.

Premeditated = Shamefull.

I see no reason to continue this conversation.  

What's shameful is you have already decided the OP is removing or lowering the service fee and not doing so because they are planning possibly to be more generous.  You have decided the OP is this terrible person when their plan may be to tip much more generously to the people they want to tip.  Shameful is judging someone based on your preconceived notions.

Don't just do something.  Sit there.  Forced relaxation is a wonderful thing.

4 hours ago, JamieLogical said:

 

That is just so weird. I haven't seen that malfunction in even one light on the Meraviglia in something like 5 different cabins now and you have it happening in two separate lights.

We had it with one light on our cruise.  I don't remember what I did to make it stop.  I know we didn't use that light since all my bedtime reading is on my kindle. But as part of turn down service, the stewardess turned them on each night.  I think taking the key card out of the slot and putting it back in to reset the room lights worked.  Maybe try that after you have...um...rubbed the lights off (said no one ever).  

Thx for the link to your review.  When we were on Meraviglia in September, there was food available at the buffet for like 19 or 22 hours a day.  When dinner was over they would switch to snacks, and of course the pizza was always available.  I wonder if they have (sadly) cut back.  Also, the pool area had soft serve for about two or three hours most days.  It wasn't self serve, but was absolutely the best cruise ship ice cream we have ever had.  For those on the East coast, it was equivalent to Carvel quality.  I wonder if the frozen yogurt you encountered is a permanent change.  

3 hours ago, CynCyn said:

Maybe they could have taken her thing to her……like her passport and meds. 

Why are you assuming that didn't happen?  The medication thing is moot since she is in a hospital with access to whatever meds she may need, and no hospital would allow her to be taking her own meds due to liability issues.  And, the passport thing has been gone over many times.  The ship would have given her passport to the port agent who then gets it to her.

The cabin isn't under the fitness center, so you won't have noise from that.  Generally the area in the spa towards the back of the ship is where the heated stone lounges are.  It looks to be the case in pics of the Bliss spa.  So unless someone is snoring exceptionally loudly, lol, it seems you should be fine.

18 hours ago, david_sobe said:

I bet you would be running to the front desk asking for OBC if housekeeping cleaned your room and threw away your sponge and shaving razor.  When you clean hundreds of rooms per week these things happen.  You're excited to get hardworking crew in trouble over a freaking sponge.

Good for you!

My issue is not the sponge but the fact that the room I am about to stay in has not been properly cleaned.  Yes, these things happen.  But when they do, the issue needs to be taken care of, not ignored.  The crew is apparently not as hard working as you assume if they are not thoroughly cleaning every cabin on turn over day.  Asking to have the room cleaned has nothing to do with getting "excited" to get someone in trouble.  Also, last time I checked, the passengers had worked hard to be able to take a cruise and for the sake of hygiene, safety and even the ick factor have paid for and are entitled to a thoroughly cleaned room.  Certain things can be ignored and are not deal breakers.  But personal items left in the shower clearly mean the shower, and probably the room have not been cleaned appropriatelyand that issue absolutely needs to be mediated.

6 hours ago, david_sobe said:

I have found socks under the bed.  I once found a plastic mouthwash bottle full of smuggled alcohol in a dresser drawer.  Unfortunately with how much needs done and cleaned during disembarkation and embarkation things like a sponge or shaving razor could be over looked.  While not great, I dont think it would reflect on how clean the room was.  I have never seen dirty sheets and every disembarkation I have seen all the sheets are ripped off the bed.  There is a difference between cleaning and deep cleaning.  Can you clean your shower and bathroom and leave a sponge or razor in the shower?  I think so.  We have a difference of opinion. I simply would throw those items away.  Calling the hotel manager over a sponge is a bit extreme IMHO.  But I respect your right to do so.  If I see dirt in the bathroom or smell something I will call housekeeping.  
I used to follow a certain cruise channel and this guy made such a big deal because while he was staying in the cabin one day the room steward did not empty the bathroom basket.  It had some kleenex in it (from himself). He made such a big deal that I unsubscribed from his channel.  I have seen how they vacuum and rip these rooms apart.  Small abandoned items does not equate to a dirty room IMHO.  But to each their own.

I suppose when they clean the shower every day with people in the cabin they are mentally trained not to touch the passenger's razor and sponge.  This force of habit could explain why he or she missed them this morning.  

Sorry, but that shower was obviously not cleaned.  There is absolutely no reason to overlook personal items in the shower on turn around day. Yes, there is a difference between deep cleaning and regular cleaning. Anything less than deep cleaning between passengers is not acceptable.  And if something so glaringly obvious as the previous passenger's personal items in what should be an empty shower can be overlooked, what else was overlooked? I also find it unacceptable to find things under the bed or in drawers left from previous passengers.  Do you not clean under your bed and furniture when you deep clean your home?  The amount of things needing to done on turn over day is no excuse for them not being done.  I expect a thoroughly, deep cleaned room whenever I check into a hotel or cruise ship.

4 hours ago, tartist said:

@mjkacmom do you recall where the entrance to splash academy was? Or mind sharing what room number you had? Looking at booking a room on deck 12 and trying to figure out the best option with splash academy being right there. Thanks in advance! 

We once had the cabin directly off the elevator bank entrance (the one where if you opened the door you saw right into the elevator area with no buffer) at splash academy.  Unless the eager screams of dozens of children waiting to go to camp, leaving camp with counselors and leaving with family, throughout the day is something that sparks joy for you on vacation do not book a cabin in that area.

8 hours ago, nferr said:

 

When I was on in December you could order the pasta in the "classic section" with no extra charge. Which I did a few nights as an extra appetizer, the pastas are good. All the other entrees are $5 extra as a second entree.

In September we were able to order the pasta or risotto from the nightly entree section as a starter with no extra fee.  The lasagna was huge and delicious.  The Bolognese from the classic section of the menu was also great.  

17 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

On the American website....main page....towards the bottom....Terms and Services

 

Page 6....next to last paragraph:

It starts with "If you test positive for covid"....

If you test positive for COVID-19 within five (5) days prior to embarkation,

 

One can read this as:  within 5 24 hour periods before you get step on the ship

Or:

Five days prior to the day of embarkation....which is how MSC sees it.  And MSC's opinion is the only one that matters.

 

Just a note:  If you check the "days to your next cruise"....the day before you sail will be "1 Day Before Your Cruise".  At some point (midnight in Italy???), you're at Day 0.  They see "embarkation" as a complete day...not various times that you board.

 

Enuf on this....good luck to OP with insurance.  At least she has "a possible reason" while MSC didn't make her whole.

 

Unless you work for MSC, this is only an opinion.  Yet you keep acting as if your opinion is fact when your opinion just does not make sense.  Once again, embarkation is the moment one embarks on their cruise.  Embarkation DAY is more specific and clearly is not mentioned in the terms.  I just don't understand how you can possibly profess to know what MSC's "opinion" is.  Their terms quite clearly mean if you test positive at any time within five days before the moment you embark including the day of embarkation.  

The only thing that is not clear with the OP's issue is how MSC can tell her she did everything right but not only are they not honoring the claim, they are also closing it.  

You would be more convincing if you blamed the whole thing on a language barrier than on your opinion of what MSC means.

13 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

The e-mail acknowledges that she followed the rule of contacting them within the required time period (before noon on day of embarkation).....but it doesn't address the rule of the "dates of testing".  She followed one rule, but not both of them.  That e-mail is 100% ambiguous.  Both requirements (date of test and time of phone call) should have been spelled out.

 

 I'm not trying to be disagreeable about this...if anything....testing on the morning of embarkation is more important than "5 days prior" (remember testing at the pier just before they'd let you on the ship?). 

 

For reasons like this...and after my own MSC T&C issues....I use a TA now.

Nope.  It says followed procedures AND contacted us, not followed procedures BY contacting us. They are acknowledging she followed the correct procedures and she also called correctly.  

15 hours ago, MsTabbyKats said:

I found something:

 

If you test positive for COVID-19 within five (5) days prior to embarkation, you may elect to cancel your Booking. In that event, you, and anyone else in your travelling party who cancels their Booking due to your positive COVID-19 test result, will be entitled to a refund or future cruise credit equal in value to the amount Passenger paid to the Carrier. 

 

This is on Page 6 of T&C.  It says test positive 5 days prior to embarkation.  The OPs sister tested positive the morning of embarkation, not within the 5 days prior period.

It does not say within 5 days prior to embarkation DAY.  Within 5 days includes the day one embarks, otherwise it would state before and not within. 

13 hours ago, Ozzieru1e said:

The luggage I had in mind is 28” lengthwise/height.  The 24 x 16 applies when the luggage lies flat.  The main problem I see is if I can pick up the luggage and place it on the scanner.  I will know the day of the cruise.  I usually carry my own luggage off the ship so the gangways shouldn’t be a problem boarding the ship.

If your bag is 24 x 16 in width/depth, it could be 6 feet long and still fit.  The length height doesn't matter since you are not trying to get the bag to fit under a seat.  

10 hours ago, kirtihk said:

They will make it empty!

Instead of putting your home address in you luggage, just stick a business card in it.  Your contact info is there, and your personal info is not.

We were on the last cruise before the shut down and returned to a totally different NYC on 3/11/20.  Of course the Princess cruise was all over the news, and I remember our relief that our ship was not going to be like that as we pulled into New York harbor.

4 hours ago, Topper49 said:

Rick, the pending charges have been removed. My other queries on several other matters have not yet been answered. I still find the fact that these charges appeared in the first place with no explanation from NCL very disappointing.

They were not charges.  They were pre-authorizations or holds.  And, NCL cleary explains this here:  https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/prepare-for-your-cruise/spending

The MDR staff are already included in the daily service charge that is billed to your account each day or was prepaid at booking.  If you order drinks in the MDR, you have already paid a gratuity if you have a drink package.  If you are paying for drinks, the 20% gratuity is already added to the bill. 

House of rock had 80's and 90's music, so a kid under 12 will probably have no idea about the songs.  However, the cirque style stunts will probably be entertaining for them.  Houdini is supposedly about magic, but is kind of obscure.  I found it kind of boring and would not want to see it again. The cirque stunts for it also were not nearly as entertaining as house of rock.  I don't remember seeing kids at either show.  But, the shows were by no means sold out, and maybe the lack of kids was proportional to the small number of kids on board.  I don't remember there being stuff in either show that would be inappropriate except maybe some slightly revealing costumes.  But geez, I'm pretty sure Taylor Swift is usually more provocatively dressed most days, and parents still love her...

Keep in mind that pasta (and most likely) entree salads can be ordered as starters without incurring the extra fee.  Did not try it with the salad, but the pastas were always the entree size.  Also no one has reported back if the fee is flat rate for any more than one entree or applies to each additional entree as the wording is ambiguous.