edsareg

Hi , After reading all of the above posts, And its our own faults for booking with MSC, Great Ships, Worst CS on the high Seas. Like all of you we booked a Cruise Rio TO uk, March 27 2021. We paid our deposits and every thing was confirmed by email. Flying out on the 24 March, 3 days in Rio, Then join the ship.We made our booking on March  7th, On march 12th UK GOV said Any one over 70 should not Cruise , I am 73 my wife will be 70 when we sail. I contacted our TA  IGLU CRUISES, Explained what had been said about over 70s,  Not our Problem? . Our Balance was due  Dec 1st  i got back in touch asking if the date could be put back as the cruise is almost certain to be cancelled 99.9 . They put it back 7 days till the 12 Dec. I had asked for a refund due to the over 70s advice, Not our Problem?  All they do is quote T/C to you and if i cancel i will looe my deposit.
So lets look at look at the T/C. We where due to fly on Dec24 direct to Rio with BA, getting to our hotel 11pm on the 24.  BA changed the flights to the 25 March,  Under Iglu t/c  section 8 B ANY FLIGHT CHANGES OVER 12 HRS ARE CLASSED AS SIGNIFICANT CHANGES. which entitles you to a Full Refund of all your money.
Looking deeper in to Iglu T/C  IFIND under  Iglucruise.com/coronavirus-cruise and travel. 
BEFORE YOU CRUISE. over 70S
As a result of Gov Advice We have a Temp Highly Flexable Cancellation and transfer policy which entitles customers to cancel with a full refund or FCC. I had been telling Iglu this from the 12 March, Not our Problem?  Well it is there problem.
We also lost a day in Rio due to the flight change getting there on the 25  not the 24th.
Looking on the A.B.T.A. site  T/A will tell you that flight changes 12 hrs or less are not  classed as SIGNIFICANT CHANGES and you are not entitled to a refund,  Wrong,  ABTA  ruling , If due to flight changes even if LESS THAN 12 HRS , SHOULD STILL BE REGUARDED AS SIGNIFICANT CHANGES, if it results in the Loss of days in your resort, OR length of a Cruise.  As we had lost a day in Rio, plus being over 70, I have just had a full refund, Down side i will have to wait 120 days. I hope this helps sort out any problems our members have RE Refunds.
Reg.

Hi Ate, Yes they have said any deposit can be moved to an other Cruise which must be used by Dec 31  2021. But Im not sure its going to be safe to sail on a Cruise ship for a loooong time to come. With all the changes taking place on board, It dont sound like its going to be our type of Holiday.
Reg.

Hi All , We along with Lovely Scouce are booked on this Cruise, But we have a bit of a different problem. Along with not wanting to go any where near Brazil, We booked our cruise on March 7, Seven days later on March the 12th the UK Gov gave advice that any over 70 SHOULD NOT CRUISE any where. Im 73 and my wife will be 70 at the time of tthe sailing. There is no end date to this advice, I keep looking on the F.C.O. site for updates the last on being on Nov 11 and no change , Do not sail. We are booked with Iglu  I have infored them of our problem but they just keep refering me back to there T/C. sO I HAD A GOOD LOOK at the t/c  in it they state I MUST have Comprehensive  Travel Insur to travel.  So i got in touch with mt insur Company AXA, They have told me if i travel on this cruise , My cover will be NULL AND VOIID, They will not cover me as i have gone against Gov Advice.  Also before you are allowed to fly to Brazil , The Brazil gov have said you MUST have a Medicak check at the airport before you will be allowed to fly.  If this cruise where to go a head, Its not the Cruise we booked back in March 7. Facilities on board reduced by up to 50%, wearing Masks 24/7 unless in your cabin, You can not go a shore by yourself only when booked thru the ship.
I have no faith in MSC cancelling this before the balance due date, As they will have A LOT of money in there bank for months to come. Like Scouse we have just waited from Last April for our refund of £2000 from the last cruise we where booked on.
But we can only hope, If its not cancelled i will loose my deposit with Iglu rather than pay an other few thousand £ and have to wait months again.
Reg

3 minutes ago, Jossie1960 said:

 

We have booked many cruises via the US without any problem whatsoever.  The only problem you get is with Carnival Corp. cruise lines, the likes of HAL, Princess, Cunard require you to have a US residency whilst RCL, Celebrity and MSC it's not a requirement. We have never had any hassle and have been booking via the US for the last 10 years or more.  

It has not always been the case that the US was cheaper, from 2016 until 9 months ago the UK was definitely cheaper although refundable deposits is a great attraction and well as the many perks on offer from US agencies.

Hi Jossie,  Your right with what you say, But I think people are scared of booking with American TA because of all the wrong info given out. If you do your home work, Every thing should be ok.
Reg.

22 minutes ago, mickey89 said:

 

I have booked at least 10 cruises via the same US TA.  All previous cruises were Celebrity this is the first MSC cruise.  Never had a problem, everything comes via email and you checkin via msccruises.com.

Thank you.

6 minutes ago, mickey89 said:

I booked MSC Seaside via the US and the deposit is refundable, assume yours is same.  

Why not cancel and rebook? 

Hi, Mickey, Brendaflamingo , Reg from Liverpool, Sorry for jumping in on this post, But I have also booked thru a TA in the states, Its not some thing we have done before but you get a much netter deal than the UK. Mickey have you ever had any problems with the like's of Etickets being down loaded, Once again sorry for jumping in on your post.
Reg.

1 hour ago, jean87510 said:

I actually cancelled my MSC seaside cruise for next January (on hold for 11 minutes- getting better). Luckily I got my deposit back. We are headed back to celebrity summit for the 5th time and a user friendly website and CSR department. I'll still check in the future to see if things improve and maybe I'll try again with MSC some day. 

Hi, Im sorry to see you go, But I understand why you did it. Some time's Companies forget that we are paying them for a service, It's not the other  way around , them paying us.Most of us will go along with the ride. Wrong Date's/ Name's/ Account's/ No replys to Emails. Long, Long phone call's. But some time's you may say to yourself , Let's just forget this, And try some where else. It's been nice talking to you over the last few week's.
Reg.

4 minutes ago, cntrydncr1 said:

You can't even get them to call you back when you want to book a cruise!!!

I take it that 1 vote for MSC.

25 minutes ago, thecruisers6 said:

I agree with you. 

I was just explaining what has happened that is all, in my opinion.  

This is a quote from one of my posts earlier in the week....

 

 Staff in the UK office in some situations either guess answers (often getting it wrong) or simply say “no” possibly just to try and get rid of the email. 

 

 

I think maybe we should have a poll of all our members as we will have a lot of seasoned Cruisers on here, As to the worst Customer Service they have ever had to put up with, That's taking in to account all Cruise lines, Then send the result to the CEO of the Company. I will find the email for MSC CEO  for you a bit later.

45 minutes ago, thecruisers6 said:

Please don’t take this the wrong way but they simply didn’t expect the volume of calls, with questions like “what’s my account number” or “can I change a free internet package” that says in the terms and conditions that you can’t. 

 

You are quite right to take your $’s elsewhere, otherwise you will just be looking for faults throughout your cruise and spend time in the CS queue onboard. 

 

 

Hi, I think you are being a little unfair with Jean, They are spending in excess of $3,000 , I think that gives them the right to ask as many questions that they want. The list of FAULTS as you put it , Is not only confined to them, Go back thru the Forum and read the many, many people who have had similar problems with CS. It took me 9 weeks just to confirm my booking?. Like I have said the ships are great, The back up , USELESS. We took a 30 night cruise with them last April, Durban to Venice. Ports of call Fantastic, 4 days out of Durban they ran out of Cider, That's 4 days after leaving Durban. 5days before getting to Venice ran out of Tonic water, That was the end of the G/T. If only they could get the left hand to no what the right hand was doing, They would be a great Cruise line.
Reg. 

23 minutes ago, jean87510 said:

The call center is absolutely ridiculous. I wanted to see if we could upgrade our standard internet which was part of our booking promotion to unlimited and waited 33 minutes. When I got through, the gentleman informed me that I would have to buy the package separately since we weren't able to upgrade. I asked to speak to someone else and he disconnected me. I tried again and was placed on hold. My husband and I are now just going to take the $198 loss and go with another line. Between the ridiculous wait times on the phone, no upgrade on internet, charging for a buffet lunch on ocean cay, waiting 3 weeks to get a reservation linked, 2 weeks to get a status match, the reviews of the non yacht club, the lines,... this cruise costs us $3300. I would rather use it on a cruise line I know is good. Really turned off by what I'm experiencing and reading. It's too much money to just make the best of it.  My husband was so frustrated he said would you rather just book a different cruise and I said absolutely. It's a shame but I think this cruise line just isn't ready to handle those other than the yacht club.

Hi, You are right, Possibly the worst CS dept of any Cruise line on the Severn Sea's. Nice ships, No back up.

On ‎4‎/‎15‎/‎2019 at 8:56 AM, Beamafar said:

 

We did a repositioning from Venice to Durban on one of the smallest class ships (for now, the next-size up class of ship is doing the route) - it was one of very best cruises we have done to date;  the itinerary is fantastic!  We visited Petra in Jordan and took a flight from Eilat to Jerusalem for the day (a ship's excursion), then stopped in Seychelles, Mauritius, and Reunion Island.  Sailing down the Suez was an experience in itself.

Bea, We did the same cruise last April, But the other way around, I have to agree with you, It was the best Cruise we have been on.  

1 hour ago, dorts said:

Thanks everyone - especially the tip on doing a B2B rather than one cruise!

Hi, I have a cruise booked in the April 2020, In total 30 days. We booked a 7 day from Miami, Returning to Miami, Then on the same ship Miami to KEIL in Germany. It worked out better to book the first 7days thru a TA in the USA, Where we where given a Free Drinks package plus free WIFI. Then book the second part o the cruise with a TA in the UK. The second part is with a Balcony, which was cheaper than a Sea view cabin?
If I had booked the 7 day with the UK TA, It would have cost around £700/800 each, With no freebie's. Booking with a American TA  the cost is $700 each, With the freebie's. We are dealing with MSC , So any thing can happen.
I was also wondering what happens after we return to Miami after the first 7 days.Im sure some one on here will be able to help us.

2 hours ago, Never too young to cruise said:

Hi, sorry late post. I'm not on FB but my Geordie missus is (I'm from Rotherham - up The Millers). I'll find you tonight and send message. And I looked at Billy McCracken - a Newcastle legend! 20 years for one club? Wouldn't get that these days. Great stuff.

Rotherham, I suppose some one has to support them. Evertonian Thru and Thru. As soon as I have your details ill post them to you, I just hope you can make some use of them.
Reg.

On ‎4‎/‎14‎/‎2019 at 1:19 PM, edsareg said:

Hi , You are welcome to them my Geordie Friend, Im not sure the best way to get them to you, Maybe if you message me on FB, We can sort it out that way.
By the way, My Great Uncle, Billy McCracken played for you in the 1920, Best Centre half  in the land. Google him.
Reg Fletcher.
Im not sure that they will be accepted on board, But you can try.

Never to Young, Did you find me on FB?

40 minutes ago, Never too young to cruise said:

Hi, I sail on the Seaview in June 2019 from Barcelona. I live in Newcastle, UK.

 

I'd be happy to take some vouchers off yours hands if there are any left?

 

Thanks 

Hi , You are welcome to them my Geordie Friend, Im not sure the best way to get them to you, Maybe if you message me on FB, We can sort it out that way.
By the way, My Great Uncle, Billy McCracken played for you in the 1920, Best Centre half  in the land. Google him.
Reg Fletcher.
Im not sure that they will be accepted on board, But you can try.

5 hours ago, bagczech said:

Leaving next weekend on Lirica. Would love some vouchers!

Hi, Drinks Vouchers, There are 13 All inc  and 7 Soft Drinks, Any one in the States sailing within the next few weeks, I don't think you would get them in time. Any one in the UK OR Europe would prob be ok,
Reg.

Hi, If any one would like some DV  for free, I have around 20 of them which I will not be using. Im not sure if MSC are accepting them , But if you would like them, Get in touch.

39 minutes ago, ikea logistics said:

USA site or UK site if UK site then make sure you are inputting the correct booking number.

 

If you log in with just your booking number the web checkin doesn't exist have you set up an account with MSC.

 

Really you've paid the TA they should be doing this for you

Hi ,I had a similar problem with Login, My problem was that I was not putting my middle name in when trying to login, Once I added it there was no problem. But you are dealing with MSC , So good luck.

2 hours ago, styles27 said:

We’re sailing on Divina in a couple of weeks...this ship just transitioned from the Caribbean where it spent the winter over to the Mediterranean.  

 

As far as I know the crew will be mostly the same, so unless they get a higher wage when they’re working in the Med, why wouldn’t they depend on the service charge?

 

I’m not being snarky, just trying to understand why some (not you OP) would assume that because they’re working in Europe they may not depend on the tips.  These folks are notoriously under paid.

 

I’m also in favor of the “old” system of tipping where we put cash in an envelope and handed it to each crew member who served us so well throughout our cruise.  (Which we still do...I always bring a pack of Thank You cards with me)

 

I have to admit, having it added to my on board account rubs me the wrong way as we’re putting a lot of trust in the cruise company to actually pass that $$ on to the crew.

 

 

 

Hi, I Think you are right about The Old System, It's all down to a personal choice. There are many people who are quite happy to  Pay the Auto tipping, For me I will tip the people I come in touch with. I'm 72 yrs old, I don't use the GYM, SPAR,HAIR DRESSING SALON,KIDS PLAY ROOMS. It's like taking a Taxi, You give the driver a tip , Then the cab company say's but what a bout the Mechanic who service's the cab and the girl who works on the switch board.
There will be many on here that don't agree with me, So be it, It is call Cruise Critic. 

20 minutes ago, vluvski said:

Well, thank you Beamafar and SirWolf, for the correction regarding the collection, purpose, and Destination of VAT.

 

You are wondering, Beamafar, why Americans understand it this way.  I cannot speak for all, but the tipping Situation in Germany was explained in that way to me by a native German living in America, an American who previously lived in Germany, and by my professional cultural briefing Team.  the explanations went something like this:  "We generally do not tip in Germany, except to recognize outstanding Service, and even the, the tip is usually applied by rounding up to the nearest €5 or €10, not 18-20% as in the US.  The workers are paid a fair wage, and VAT is built into the menu Price."  Maybe they are connecting VAT to tipping in a circuitous way, since taxes Support the social welfare System?

I once had a Situation, during our house hunting trip, when I rounded my bill up by 2 or 3 €.  The waiter basically blew up at us, exclaiming, "You call this a tip? That is not even worth my time to process."  He then dramatically reset the credit Card Reader, and ran the charges without the tip.  When my husband explained what happened to his German academic advisor in the US, my husband said he had never seen his advisor become so angry.  The advisor insisted that we did things absolutely in line with German behavior, that this waiter was trying to take Advantage of us because he assumed we were typical uninformed tourists.

 

My question has still not been answered at all, though: Do the workers on the ship depend upon the gratuities for a living wage, or are they already compensated fairly with the gratuities structured as a Bonus for great Service, on top of fair pay for their hard work?

Hi, The whole thing of tipping can be very confusing, Normally crew on Cruise ships are paid a Very low wage, And they do rely on tips to make the pay up to a nearly Living wage. I don't think many of them would chose to leave there families for up to 9 months at a time, Work 12 hr days , 7days a week. The price you pay for you're Cruise should provide the crew with what you and I would class as a LIVING WAGE. But that's not the way they run there business, They give you a price for your Holiday, Then they want you to supplement the Crews pay by adding between $10 and $15 per person per day.  I totally agree with giving tips to all those who you come in contact with. If you think that you're Cabin steward/ Waiter/ or any one else you have had contact with has given you good service why not give them a tip.
But it come's back to the Cruise Company, They know that most  Passengers will carry on with the Auto Tipping,So why should they change the pay system.  As some one who has worked on a Cruise Terminal for 5 yrs., I can assure you that the Crew who look after you would much prefer that they received any tips direct from you, As most of them will never much of   the pooled tips , Which all gets lost in a big Black hole called MSC.
Just a Thought, The CEO of MSC has a personal fortune of around $9.000.000.000. I think that's the right number of  0000.   

On ‎7‎/‎30‎/‎2018 at 7:55 PM, maminooka said:

We are calling at Brindisi, Katakolon, Piraeus, Santorini, Corfu and Kotor during our cruise in August. I would appreciate any advice about what we can do when we reach these ports as we don't want to pay the cruise prices! We are travelling with a 12 and 14 year old and would rather do it off our own backs but at the same time, don't want to miss anything and regret what we haven't done. Thank you in advance!

hi, Katakolon. Nice little port, Short walk in to the town, Most of the shop's and bars are on the right as you make you're way along, But if you turn LEFT as you leave the Harbour, There is a really nice little Beach with a small bar, Its great for swimming and cold beer. If after having a swim , You can walk thru the town and at the far end you will find a little Noddy train? You no what I mean. It will take you on a tour taking in a wine place plus some other stops, Ending up at a Great hotel . It has its own beach, Great Bar, COLD BEER, You can stay there as long as you like , Then catch the last NODDY back to the ship. It's only a few Euro's each
That's what we did and had a great day.

48 minutes ago, LaCal said:

Go to your booking...there’s a area that says Laundry and other 

 

Scroll down that and go to page 2...there it shows the different laundry packages 

Thank you.

Where do you find the details for booking a Laundry Package , I have had a long hard look but cant find it.

On ‎3‎/‎2‎/‎2019 at 6:38 PM, Essiesmom said:

If your middle name is somewhere on/in your account you may have to log in with the full name.  EM

Hi, I made the same mistake, Not putting my middle name in stopped me from accessing my details.