Stockjock

Yes, OLife was in effect at the time of booking. I wasn't aware that the perks could no longer be stripped from the booking. I wonder if they'll still give me perks under the new program? Somehow, I doubt it.

I own NCLH stock, so I contacted Oceania in the first half of last year to apply for $100 shareholder's OBC. It was rejected, as it was too soon (2nd half 2024 sailing). I waited until late in the year and tried again. Again, it was rejected for the same reason. I tried it again several times in 2024. I didn't receive an acceptance or rejection, but my OBC shown online didn't change. I waited a few weeks and called Oceania, but that didn't seem to help. Finally, I decided I'd submit weekly until I got an answer. Today, I got a message that they've added shareholder's OBC, but the amount previously shown ($300 from my Amex Platinum Cruise Privileges benefit) hasn't changed, so I'll give it a few days. Is it normally this hard to get shareholder credit applied? When I login to Oceania's website, shouldn't that amount shown have increased from $300 to $400, or not necessarily?

I believe the fare that I booked includes zero extras. No airfare, no drink package, no excursion credit, nada. So I believe it's still possible to strip off all of that. From what I could gather, booking a fare that included the extras didn't seem advantageous versus stripping out the "freebies" and taking a lower base fare. I do get $300 from Amex Platinum, $150 from the travel agent and $100 shareholder credit, so $550 that I can put towards something or other.

As I mentioned, I was contacted by MSC and asked to delete a post about Bellissima sailing from Los Angeles, "...as this news has not been officially announced yet." (direct quote) So I really don't care how adamantly they are denying it. And "ghost entries" sailing from L.A. every 7 days doesn't make sense. There's an old saying, "If it doesn't make sense, it isn't true." P.S. I don't personally believe that the Next Cruise staff would be included in such high-level decisions, but if they did know (doubtful), certainly they aren't going to risk their jobs by announcing something that corporate has not yet announced.

It was a few years old (4?) Why? Just changed to one a few months old. Do you prefer this one?

Funny, lol. She has never expressed an interest in marriage or cohabitation, which is one of the things that appeals to me 🙂 I think we have patched things up, or at least I hope so. It's hard to find someone who you can get along with for a decade (or more.) I wouldn't be in a hurry to start from scratch. Besides, we have several cruises lined up. Ascent out of "Rome" this summer, the Caribbean on Oceania this winter (my treat for her birthday), and the Norwegian Fjords on MSC in the fall of 2025.

I'm sure that others may also have the question. Mods typically lock a thread when there are issues, or problems. I don't see that being the case in this instance. If someone wants to chime in on the issue of changing a passenger, or whatever, that's their right. If not, that's fine too.

We chatted. I think we're good, so I may change it back. The short of it is that she blocked me because she was annoyed by some little thing. My calls and messages weren't going through, which she actually thought was funny. I called from a different number and she returned the call because she thought I might be a delivery guy. Still irritated, but she did apologize and unblock me. I told her that can't happen again & was really rude, to say the least.

Is your wife good looking? That's a joke also! I don't think she's on cruisecritic, but it's an honest question. We've been dating 10 years and I'm getting ghosted, which is super odd. I'm assuming that the relationship has come to an end. If not, that's great, but the "messages" I'm receiving, or perhaps am not receiving, aren't encouraging. I'd still rather go with her, but I do have a buddy who did a cruise to Cabo w/me last year, so that could be a possibility. I got a pretty good deal, so if I did go w/someone else, I'd rather not rebook, as the price has jumped a bit. Didn't expect to be going through this, but it is what it is.

I think the short of it is that there is a possibility that the lady I’ve been dating for 10 years and I may go our separate ways. It’s not a done deal, but it’s not looking good. I have a cruise booked this summer on Ascent, and it is fully refundable. But the question is, if things don’t work out with us, and I find someone else who is interested in going, is it possible to change the name on the reservation?

I think you've got us beat.

Some might recall that Pullmantur, after scrapping all of their ships but one (I think), announced an agreement with Celebrity to buy 2 of their M-Class ships. Even though several argued with me, the obvious two to go would be Constellation and Infinity, since they are the only 2 M-Class ships not to be revolutionized. This could have made a lot of sense for Pullmantur, as they'd be operating 3 ships, Horizon, Constellation and Infinity. Celebrity immediately denied the report, but where there's smoke there's fire. Ultimately, Pullmantur went under, leaving Celebrity with 4 M-Class ships; 2 revolutionized and 2 not. But it seems apparent that Celebrity would like to rid themselves of at least 2 of the M-Class, if not all 4. And you may have noted that she said nothing about revolutionizing the remaining 2 M-Class ships, even though the question was about revolutionizing their older ships.

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It's March, and we've been getting a lot of rain here in San Diego. But today, the weather is lovely!

Not sure if this will work, since you're in Mexico, but you could try sending an e-mail message to this address: postcruisesupport@msccruisesusa.com If that doesn't work, maybe change it to just postcruisesupport@msccruises.com

We've done 2 or 3 NYE cruises, so just after Christmas actually. Many places seemed to be open, although on the holidays proper (Christmas, New Year's Day) some businesses may be closed.

Thx!

We'll be on Ascent in a matter of months. I see that there are 4 non-specialty dining rooms. And on the Celebrity website, it appears that I can make reservations in these restaurants. Just not sure how this works, as it differs from what I'm used to. Can I go where I want when I want to? Should I make reservations in advance? Maybe now? Suggestions?

I've sailed on both MSC and Celebrity many times. I've done Concierge Class a couple of times on Celebrity, but have not tried Yacht Club. But it's my understanding that they are like night and day, with YC being vastly superior. CC is mostly just a glorified veranda cabin, imo. Not so for YC.

I've done both, although I've done most MSC sailings in Europe. Generally, I found the food, and most of the wines, to be better in Europe.

I finally got around to posting my "official review". There's a lot more info in this thread, but of course the review is a lot more concise. Disappointing that World Europa is currently rated 2.8 stars by those who have sailed on it. Things are never perfect, but we had a nice time. I uploaded quite a few photos, all of which failed. Also, it shows me as a first time cruiser, when I've probably been on at least 20-25, but here's a link for anyone interested. https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=712444

Here's what they should have written... Hi, hope this message finds you well. I am on the social media team for MSC, we kindly ask that you remove your post about LA as this news has not been officially announced yet. Please let me know if you're able to do so, we'd really appreciate it. And if you are able to delete your post, as a goodwill gesture, we'd like to offer you a $300 onboard credit, good for any sailing of 4 nights or more, redeemable for the next 24 months. Thank you!

Here's the message I received... Hi, hope this message finds you well. I am on the social media team for MSC, we kindly ask that you remove your post about LA as this news has not been officially announced yet. Please let me know if you're able to do so, we'd really appreciate it. Thank you!

They contacted me on Facebook. It was a woman who worked for MSC and she identified herself as a social media ambassador or social media specialist. Something like that. I didn't reply, as again, the cat is clearly out of the bag.

In this case, if memory serves, it was Ruben Rodriguez, President, MSC Cruises USA.