MsTabbyKats

Just my 2 cents... We are currently on the Mera...2nd time in yacht club, third time on the ship. Anyway...yesterday was a port day and we missed our YC poolside buffet due to an excursion. We went to the main buffet.... besides the pizza we both had absolutely delicious quinoa and chicken. As far as quality of food....MSC is a great value. (Not to get into a debate...but the chicken/quinoa tasted much better than the YC dining room food...to both of us.)

I'm on the Meraviglia right now. The comedian was joking about all the kids on board last week, and what a zoo it was....1600 under 18!

You said you were in contact with your TA. If anyone should have "serviced you", it should have been the TA. That's what they're getting paid for.

They are giving you the fare back and a FCC credit of 50%...yes, only $250 but you paid only $500. Traveling is always riskly...things go wrong. That's what insurance if for. I don't know what else you expected MSC to do?

Yes. .... home of the famous Rao's. Some of the homes there still look like Italian villas with marble in the gardens. We used to go up there a lot.

That's gonna be my new motto!

Thanks for all the info. We'll stick to YC....and supplement with pizza! Never heard anyone complain about MSC pizza...

In general...our "not for tourists" Mexican restaurants have servers that don't speak English, don't serve tacos etc...and spice it up...generally about 116th Street. I won't say more....

Oy...I really don't like sushi... 😞 On the Mera...the restaurant is named Kaito Teppanyaki. If it's "no"...I'm just as happy with unlimited pizza for 11 days.

Thanks! See reply above....I can take the subway anywhere and in just minutes have authentic cuisine. However, I think we'll give Teppanyaki a try. I have never done one of those...might be an interesting experience (and I can always get pizza)!

LOL....I live, literally, on the bordenline of the Upper East Side and Spanish Harlem (NYC). Footsteps from my door I have authentic (nobody speaks English authentic) Puerto Rican, Mexican, Peruvian, Dominincan etc...restaurants. I don't even like going a few blocks south (to the Upper East Side) for these cuisines. I call them "Mexican etc food for tourists". The issue is I don't like "fine dining". I'm more of a pizza girl...so worst case scenario would be I order a "Taco Italian Syle"...hate it...then get my pizza.

I know we're entitled to eat at Ocean Cay or Butchers Cut....but I've checke their menus, and just not interested. In addition...we are in YC. However, can I use this benefit to eat at Hola (yes...I am aware that anyone can get "all you can eat" for $18)? If allowed, dinner only, or any time of the day?

Not that big a deal...but need to refresh my memory! I generally bring enuf skin moisturizer and hair conditioner to cover the cruise and "extra emergency sea days". I remember YC supplied one of these (or maybe both?)..... To lighten my load....what toiletries are suppled (and refreshed) in YC (Meraviglia specifically)? Thanks

Yeah....ditto for us. DH used to say he'd never stay in the Haven/YC unless he was incapaciated. That day came...and I booked YC (he didn't have a choice...lol). He loved it....it was like he had a 10 year rejuvination! Money is meant to be spent...it's all about comfort and convenience.

The good news is that as long as you sail together....you'll be sailing at his status. I'm Diamond, my husband is Gold. I've never sailed without him...go figure.

DH and I generally travel with one carry-one each.......which is fine for a 7 day cruise or a cruise where your perks include laundry service. We're going on an 11 day cruise in 2 weeks and I just don't think a carry-on will be enough for me so I'm planning to go up a step, and take a larger suitcase. I know we can drop off the luggage at the YC tent...but when you disembark, where does the luggage go? Is there a separate YC area? Or is will it be in with "the masses" and you have to do a search?

I had no problem with my photo. DH...impossible. So, finally, I took a pic of me for his check-in....knowing that they'll correct at the terminal.

It's not what you wear....but how you wear it.

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.

So...where exactly did I say I like the rule, agree with the rule....or anything positive about the rule? I only reported the rule. And I said that it's illogical. FYI....I never read the T&Cs...for anything. I only did it this time because OP was insistant that she was in accordance with them. I'm not the bad guy here....please don't shoot the messenger!

@KimPossible1 Please understand....I am trying to point out WHY they denied your claim. I'm not saying their policy is good or it makes sense....it doesn't. Just simply...WHY. So, please...don't take this out on me. Take a breath...and reread the T&C.

Her e-mail only proves she called them prior to noon. It doesn't prove she tested 5 days prior to embarkation. It's not my opinion...it's stated in the T&C 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. To qualify for the future cruise credit or refund, you must notify the Company via telephone at 877-665-4655 within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving the test result and no later than noon on the date of embarkation and provide verification satisfactory to the Company of test results administered by providers other than those retained by the Carrier. Under no circumstances shall the Carrier be liable to any such Passenger for any costs, damages or expenses whatsoever incurred by any Passenger.

MSC didn't tell me a lot of things...and didn't tell other people a lot of things. They assume people read the T&C (I don't). Sorry you're being so defensive...but it's as clear as water to me.

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.

Sorry KIm...but it is clear. Five days prior means 5 days before day of embarkation. It does not include the day of embarkation. I did say that it was illogical...but it is clear. You need the test before the day of embarkation. I'm not trying to burst your bubble but there's no debate here...you are not reading the T& C correctly. Really...nothing to interpret.