docboy

11 minutes ago, Epos Man said:

just tell guest services that you want to self disembark and then go to the disembarkation area from 7 as said you take your own cases so do not put them outside your door

 

Thanks for the info.

Mind me asking, can you share your experience with self disembarkation?  Was it swift and fairly quick?   This will be my first time cruising with MSC, so just wanted to get a good feel.

32 minutes ago, rwdtgb said:

We just returned from the Armonia and flew home. Our flight was late so we did not rush to get off the ship and we were off by 9:30 and at the airport by 10:15. They started self assist by 7am so I would say no problem making the 11:15 am flight.

Thanks for sharing, very helpful!

Mind me asking for self carry luggage during disembarkation, did you have to "sign" up anywhere online or call?

Bump...

Would be very grateful if anyone here has experience with MSC disembarkation process.  If the ship arrives in Miami at 7am and we carry our own luggage, can we make it to Miami International Airport and catch a 11:15am flight departure.  Thanks!

10 minutes ago, Até said:

I'm a little unclear as to where you are heading after the cruise.  You state arrival date but then say Aug 19th so I'll assume you're talking about disembarkation date.   Also, did you status match to a level that gives you priority disembarkation or plan to do self disembarkation with the masses.  Regardless, I guess it boils down to how stressful you want to end your cruise.  11:45 from Miami is quite doable for domestic flights, just get in the line early.

Apologies if I wasn't clear.  Yes you are correct, Aug 19th is the disembarkation date.

I wasn't aware I needed to do a "status match" to get priority disembarkation.  Is this something I can do online or do I need to call?

For those who have disembarked in Miami with a 7am Port of Miami arrival time, does the 11:15am departure from Miami International Airport give me enough time?  Or should I forgo saving some money and go for the 12pm flight departure? Thanks.

On 5/13/2019 at 6:50 PM, theEvilQueen2 said:

The problems you're having with MSC customer service is just the tip of the iceberg of the problems you will have onboard. Yes, some of it can be due to language barriers, but most of it is because the crew is untrained, rude and their go to answer is NO. I've said on other threads, when you go, take receipts for everything you have purchased or reserved, your status match numbers or proof you're a prior passenger, a complete description of what is suppose to be include in your internet package or drink package or excursion or whatever.

They will still tell you that you didn't buy what you thought you bought or the 'program has changed and that's no longer included' or this was purchased from an outside vender (on the MSC website!) so they can't help you. Better yet, just cancel and re-book with another cruise line.. any cruise line... because they all have their act together better than MSC. 

 

Happy Cruising. 

This post is concerning.

I have to comment, so far, my booking upcoming on my family's upcoming August Cuba cruise with MSC online and over the phone has been horrendously negative.  Excessively long wait times on the phone, different MSC agents telling me different things on how to link accounts and getting cabin numbers, a website that appears in need of recoding, etc... Wrote so many emails to customer service, even had to write an email expressing my discontent with the agents wrong info.  Can't believe I spent so much time and energy, just with booking!

I have not encountered any booking problems with Carnival, Royal Carribean, or Princess.  Call, book, boom, everything is set, and the actual cruise experience was great.

I'm really hoping the actual cruise with be smooth and pleasant. If not, I'm going to be pretty disappointed.

Hi everyone,

First time sailing on MSC... Family and I will be on the Aug 12-Aug 19 MSC Armonia.  Departing and arriving at Port of Miami (heading off to Cozumel, Cuba, etc...)

I'm currently looking at flights and been monitoring prices.  Prices from WA state to Miami are pricey, ugh.

Question on the arrival date: Ship comes back to Port of Miami Monday Aug 19 at 7am. If I book a flight that departs Miami International Airport at 11:15am, is this enough time to make the flight?  The 11:15am departure is quite a bit cheaper than the 12pm departure, so I'm trying to see if I can save some money and use it for excursions 🙂  We plan on carrying our own on suitcases fwiw. 

Thanks!

In Puerto Vallarta at the dock you will find not only cabs but also certified english speaking guides who offer tours. Either private or with a small group. Talk to them

Thanks, good to know.

Are there any tours in PV you would recommend?

Did some digging, found this thread that seems to be helpful.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1332947

Following.

Family and I have an upcoming trip departing Long Beach to the Mexican Rivera June 30, 2018. Got an email from Carnival, ship is leaving 1 hour earlier "to give us even more fun." Spent a whole day stressing and rearranging flights and schedule so we don't miss the boat. First time this every happened to us.

Hi Everyone,

Family and I have an upcoming 7 day cruise to Cabo, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta.

Has anyone booked any 3rd party excursions to said ports? If so, did you book them when you got off the ship at those ports, or did you book them ahead of time? Any websites you can recommend?

I prefer not to pay Carnival prices if possible, although I do recall 2 years ago family went on to a private fantasy island owned or rented by Carnival, which we had to book through Carnival.

Thanks!

I'm a big fan of almond milk...

On my last sailing on Carnival in 2016, during breakfast I asked one of the chefs standing behind the scrambled eggs if they had almond milk. They said no almond milk, but they did have soy milk. You just have to ask for it :)

Cape Canaveral is about 3 hours (200 miles) away from Fort Lauderdale.

Ok, may not be ideal for the OP. Would be good to keep in mind if someone leaves a day after the cruise or arrives a day prior the start of the cruise.

Thanks for the posts everyone. I just wanted to double check to see if there any noticeable changes in safety to the "touristy" areas. Sounds like it's still good to go.

Anyone else come back from Cabo and/or PV recently?

Following... good post.

Out of curiosity, how far is Cape Canaveral away? Would it be possible to do a morning tour at the Cape?

Hi everyone,

Family and I are thinking of taking the Mexican Riviera 7 day cruise from LA to Cabo and Puerta Vallarta this summer 2017. This will potentially be our 2nd time on this cruise :)

Question is regarding recent "safety concerns" issued by Dept of State for part of Mexico on Dec 2016. Has anyone just come back from Mexico's ports recently? Any incident where you think safety was an issue?

I can't make out if these US Dept State warnings are just ramblings from the new White House administration, or if it is something to be concerned about. I've been to many parts of Mexico, stayed in the tourist areas/resorts/excursions, and didn't really see anything concerning.

Thanks!

Hi everyone,

Family and I are thinking of taking the 7 day Mexican Riviera from LA to Cabo and Puerto Vallerta this summer on Carnival. This would be potentially our 2nd time taking this cruise. We had a blast the time first time!

Has anyone gone down to Cabo, PV, Cancun, etc recently this year? I've seen a few articles online re: US Dept of State issuing a travel warning for Mexico back in Dec 2016 due to crime against US travelers.

I've gone to Mexico many times on cruises and have stayed at resorts, no problems at all. Is this all just hearsay from the new POTUS, or is it something to be weary about? Comments from those who just came back from ports of call in Mexico most appreciated. Thanks!

Hey everyone,

Going to be on the Carnival cruise in a few weeks and we're looking forward to Cabo and PV.

Are there any tours and small "companies" selling tours and excursions at the piers? Or is it recommended I get the tours on the ship? In particular I'm looking at the sea lion, glass blowing, lover's beach, etc in Cabo. PV not sure yet.

Just trying to see if I can avoid the Carnival "markup."

Thanks!

If the whales are out, best whale trip I've been on was in Cabo. And make sure you go to Cabo Wabo..

Thanks I'll take a look at it!

If you really want to do the Sea Lions, book it with Carnival. I am pretty sure that that tour books only with the ships when they are in port. We had it booked privately about 6 months in advance of our cruise last year and the vendor cancelled about 3 months out and told us they had a contract with Carnival.

Wow, good to know, thanks for sharing. I'll have to book it with Carnival then. Apparently there are a few excursions that are limited to cruise bookings only. I remember once in Jamaica that there were no vendors outside; I had to scramble and book an excursion when we were all at the pier outside.

Family and I are taking the April 2nd Mexican Riveria cruise to to Cabos and Puerto Vallarta with the Carnival Miracle. Usually what I do for most excursions, I wait until I get off the ship and buy them at the shops/stands, as Carnival and other cruise lines usually hike up prices.

However, one excursion I'm interested in is the Sea Lion in Puerto Vallarta. Carnival has a bundle special of 20% if I book excursions within the next 24hrs. Sea Lion is currently $99 per person. Good deal? Or should I wait until I get off the ship and see if any stands/shops sell the Sea Lion activity at a lower cost?

Also, any other excursions you recommend for Cabos or Puerto Vallarta> Ship will be in Cabos for 2 days and Puerto Vallarta 1 day.

Thanks!

Thanks for the review! Family and I are headed onto the Miracle this April for Cabos!

Did you use a shuttle by chance? We're flying into LAX and ship is departing out of Long Beach. Is there a shuttle you can recommend? Thanks!

Hi everyone,

It's been a few years since our last cruise, but the family and I (wife and daughter) are thinking of going on the 7-day Western Caribbean departing April 2, 2016 from Port Canaveral. Ship is the Carnival Valor.

3 questions:

1) Carnival currently has a "special" of $762 per person including taxes/fees/port, room with window, for a total of $2,286; Special also includes $75 cabin credit. Is this a good deal? This deal and credit ends Jan 11, 2016.

2) Early dining has a wait list. We like to dine early. Anytime dining is still available. For those who have chosen anytime dining, is there a long wait?

3) How are the ports of calls? Belize, Roatan, and Costa Maya are places we've never before. Any fun excursions one can recommend? :)