CelebrationFamily

Thanks, Peak! Agree...will definitely sail out of Naples one day soon! 

So, the day I last posted I decided to email MSC existing reservations (I simply couldn't face a phone call!) I got a reply within a day saying that they had my refund and I should wait 1-2 more billing cycles. I *almost* picked up the phone at that point, but I've been busy traveling and with holiday prep and still wasn't in the mood for a frustrating call. This morning I woke up to a little Christmas miracle...my refund posted overnight! Yipeeeee! Good luck to all who are still waiting...it can happen! 😃🤞

Well, it's been two billing cycles since my cancellation and still no refund. I know you are all so surprised! 😋 Well, that's not entirely true. I did receive a refund for two of my five prepaid excursions about a month ago. Since then, crickets. Time to start the emailing and calling campaign. Wish me luck! 🤞

I was surprised as anyone when they offered a full refund. I called assuming that I'd get a refund for excursions and a FCC for the cruise. The MSC agent suggested the refund...I had her check with a supervisor to be sure that was an option...and I have the follow-up email from her showing the full cruise fare will be refunded. Fingers crossed...we shall see! 🤞

Sadly, for a variety of reasons, we decided this was not a good time to travel to Italy. I called MSC USA to cancel our Sept 27 Seashore sailing out of Naples. I was on hold about 5 minutes before a very competent (I hope) agent picked up. I was able to cancel my prebooked excursions and my fully paid cruise in a single call.  The refund is due to hit my card in 1-2 billing cycles. I'll report back when that actually happens. The process was painless...I'm a little shocked...fingers crossed the money actually posts to my card. For all of you still able to sail this fall, happy cruising!!! 

I'm a US citizen and fully vaccinated. I'm scheduled to cruise out of Naples on MSC in a few weeks. My Walgreens performs the ID NOW test. This appears to be fine for entry into Italy, but I'm concerned about the MSC requirement. Anyone with any experience? TIA...I appreciate the input! 🤪

Signing in to follow along, too. Also interested in the availability of excursions once on board. I'm scheduled to sail her out of Naples later this month. Bon voyage!

Thanks for the replies! I've also read that Italy will accept our US CDC cards as a Green Pass. MSC, however, suddenly mentions only the Italian Green Pass as a requirement on several of their excursions for my cruise. I don't see a disclaimer from them that other cards will be accepted (although I assume they will!) 🤔

So since only Italians can get a Green Pass, and several excursions now require a Green Pass, can I assume that Italy and MSC will accept CDC vaccination cards for Americans traveling on MSC? Sorry in advance  if this is obvious...but it is clear as mud to me. Thanks for the help! I'm scheduled to cruise on Seashore in 40 days! 😄🤪

5 hours ago, doublebzz said:

Just got off the phone with an MSC agent.  There was no wait time and the agent was most courteous if not completely knowledgeable.  One of the issues I raised was the fact that I couldn't download my e-ticket and documents after completing the check list.  She said they are normally available 20 days prior to sailing; however, she would attempt to email them to me.  About 10 minutes later I received the documents by email.  The documents cleared up the mystery surrounding the infamous "health questionnaire".  This document is not filled out on the MSC web site but was included with the cruise documents and is to be turned in during the boarding check-in process.  This is the wording:

"Please complete and sign this mandatory health questionnaire on embarkation day. This form must be submitted during the check-

in process."

 

 

Thank you so much for posting this scoop! 😃

2 hours ago, Stockjock said:

It's frustrating that it's so hard to get good, accurate information.  I discuss some of this on my MSC Comedy of Errors thread and certainly most of the issues I've experienced do not relate to covid.

Is insurance required?  Agents say no, website says yes.

Website says complete the health questionnaire by following the link.  Link doesn't work.

Older bookings have not communicated to customers in any way that covid insurance is required (lack of communication when things change is one of my major beefs).  But newer bookings state that directly.

Website says insurance must be purchased *before* final payment or you will be denied boarding.  This doesn't even make sense, especially when MSC tells you that you don't need the insurance when you ask, and doesn't communicate that need otherwise.  But even if you did need to buy covid insurance, certainly there needs to be an opportunity to buy it after final payment.  After all, who in their right mind would make final payment if they thought they'd be denied boarding and have no further opportunity to buy covid insurance?

We understand that things are changing, but I'd love to see some consistency and uniformity within MSC.  As mentioned, I'll skip it until the cruise approaches and then we'll see.

This This This!!! ⬆️ I booked directly with MSC two weeks ago for my European sailing on the Seashore for September, 2021. The agent asked if I was fully vaccinated. When I said yes, he said "then you don't want the insurance, of course!" After booking and paying in full, I saw the threads on this site and the new language on the MSC site. I called MSC to add the "required Travel Protection Plan with Covid 19" coverage and the agent actually laughed. I insisted and went ahead with the purchase. When I received my policy, nowhere does it specifically mention Covid 19 coverage. I've decided not to worry (okay, worry less)...I'll let you know what happens when I show up at the Port! Cross your fingers for me.

Also, while the website tells me to fill out the health questionnaire IMMEDIATELY upon booking, there is no link to said questionnaire anywhere on my reservation. I specifically asked the agent about this..."how do I fill out the health form...how can I upload my vaccination record?" and she again laughed and told me not to worry..."maybe it will appear closer to sailing." It can all be very frustrating!

We got our late September Naples embarkation time yesterday, as well. 1:30pm...the ship doesn't arrive into port until 1pm, so seems rather optimistic, but I'll take it! 😄

Y'all have brought me to my senses! I guess this is what 18 months of no European cruise travel has done to me! Straight to Naples when we land is the new plan! Thanks! 😄

You rock, Euro Cruiser. Thank you! 😃

Thanks for all of your suggestions. Much appreciated! Yes, Cruiser Bruce...I hear you! I've been lucky to breeze through FCO in the past, but I know they can be slow, too. I've just started planning and simply gathering all the info. Hubby thought a pre-drive nap might be most prudent. Our ship doesn't even arrive into the Naples port until 1pm and doesn't sail before 8pm, so I should have more time than usual to make it to Naples and board. But perhaps a day use room in Naples will the best bet. 🤪 Again, thanks!

We have a few days to explore post-cruise and are looking to rent a car near the Port in Naples. Is there a conveniently located agency that you recommend? Thank you! 😃

Our flight arrives into Rome at 6am and we sail out of Naples that evening (boarding begins after 2.) We're debating whether to head straight to Naples or to nap/refresh for a few hours first in Rome. (Yes, we know the general rule to always fly in a few days ahead, but that simply doesn't work for us this trip!) Anyway, can you please recommend a hotel near the airport (or port in Naples) that offers day use rooms. TIA! 😄

15 minutes ago, Até said:

I don't think there's any reason to buy the COVID-19 only Reassurance plan.  But what I would do is go to the MSC website and do a mock booking of your cruise.  Pick the same sailing and number/ages of people.  Use whatever cabin category gets you close to the same total price as your currently booked sailing.  Go through entering the passenger info, just make it up but it requires names, dates and just use a fake email/phone etc....  Before the payment page will be the insurance option for the full Travel Protection Plan.  The price per person should be very close to what you paid.

You are an evil genius (I mean this in the most complimentary sense possible!) Thank you! 😉

37 minutes ago, Até said:

The fixed rate $150 (up to four night) to $175pp (5+ nights) mentioned is for the COVID-19 only "Reassurance" plan, needed only if you want to opt out of the semi-mandatory full Travel Protection plan needed for US citizens on EU sailings.  Not a good deal, it seems to me that they are trying to penalize people for not purchasing the MSC Travel Protection Plan.  Your price seems typical for the full Travel Protection plan which price varies based on the cost of your cruise.  It would be good if MSC provided a link to the actual insurer policies like they did when the Health & Safety plans were first announced.

 

https://www.msccruisesusa.com/-/media/usa/documents/insurance_final.pdf

Ok, forgive me please, but one more question 🤪...I've purchased the $105 CSA plan through MSC, per the MSC agent's suggestion...am I set? Or do I need to call back and insist on the $175 plan????

OK, experts...one more question. I am a fully vaccinated American sailing the Seashore out of Naples, Italy in late September. When I purchased the cruise (last week,) I was told there was no need for the MSC travel protection plan. After reading this board, I called and asked to add the TPP with Covid 19 coverage. I was quoted $105 per passenger (not $150 or $175 as others have noted,) so I immediately asked whether this was the correct plan. The agent laughed and said of course. I paid and just now received my insurance email. I don't see Covid 19 specifically mentioned anywhere on the policy. I assume this means the wrong plan and another call to MSC, but thought I'd check in with you all first. Am I being paranoid? TIA for your helpful responses! (Also, with this kind of misinformation, how many people actually show up to the port with the correct coverage???)

Thank you! 😄

I was just filling this form out and got stumped on the required "temporary address in the next 14 days" section. Without that address, I wasn't allowed to continue. Does this mean you can only fill it out within 14 days of sailing out of Italy? Also, can you use the ship as your "temporary address?" Traveling abroad in a pandemic sure does take some extra steps and patience! TIA for your help! 😉

Any new updates on the first sailing of the Seashore? I'm booked on her in late September and curious to know her first sail date! Also, I'm still unable to access the healthcare questionnaire for my sailing and I'm wondering if this has anything to do with the fact she's not actually at sea, yet (or the more likely scenario that the website stinks!) TIA for any info! 😄🚢

Thanks so much for taking us along on your journey! Bon Voyage!

I sail on the Seashore out of Naples, Italy on September 27. Same problem as the OP. I don't see a "health questionnaire" anywhere on the US MSC site. I spent 20 minutes on hold with MSC this morning...I'll try again Monday. Still need to add the "required" travel protection, as well (my booking agent told me that it wasn't necessary!)