yvet

Apparently the import rules and fees have changed again for the Bahamas.

the official website doesn’t show the new rules yet but here and there it’s mentioned on internet.

I normally don’t trust the non official websites but the Bahamas website isn’t always reliable either. They are very very very slow with putting information and new rules on their website.

so does anybody know of any changes that started on September 1st?

Does anybody that sailed the Seaside since last week out of PC have a photo of the photopackage prices onboard?

Somewhere on the website it states that status match can only be done once so when you loose your status you go back to classic and need to build it up from there.

13 hours ago, Itochen33 said:

As soon as we were out of port and the shops opened you could buy cigarettes. Loose Tobacco they didn’t have. 

Thank you sooo much for this info

10 hours ago, Itochen33 said:

I sailed the Meraviglia in November out of Port Canaveral… don’t know if you count that as recently. 
 

i paid 25$ for a Carton of PallMall. 
Marlboro was at 45$ with special deals if you bought several. 

Recent enough for me!!

do you remember if you did see tobacco sold?

Anybody that “recently” sailed out of an US port know what the duty free prices for cigarettes onboard are?

And if they have duty free rolled cigarettes?

On 2/25/2023 at 11:01 PM, hamrag said:

Much as you may like that to be the case, I do not believe it to be true!

in Europe people get much better wage and tipping isn’t necessary to make a good salary as it is in the US.

Therefor Europe hasn’t have a tipping culture like the US.

here in The Netherlands we don’t tip if you go to a bar and get 2 drinks and leave.

if you there the whole evening and drink multiple drinks and the bill comes then you just top the amount of (like bill is €38 then you top it off to €40).

the same goes with restaurants the bill will be topped off and that’s it.

We ofcourse always adjust our tipping when we are in the US because you adjust to the culture you’re at that moment.

Because  MSC is a European company they don’t have that tipping culture like other cruiselines do.

6 hours ago, flowergirl22 said:

I booked my first cruise with MSC last week during the Free Wifi/Free Easy Bev. Pkg. promotion, and I asked the Rep. if I could upgrade to a higher level package.  She told me no.   I was tempted to call back in hopes of getting a different Rep. to ask the same question.  However, I just opted to take the basic cruise fare without the perks, because the Easy Pkg. would be useless for me.  

you can upgrade your drink package!!

do it through the app or website before  the cruise because that saves you 15% with doing it onboard.

You can upgrade your drink package onboard but then they add another 15% service charge.

you can also upgrade before the cruise through the app or the webside and that eay it’s cheaper.

Of i read it then it looks like that he’s telling you that not every status match end up being diamond….

On 2/15/2023 at 12:28 AM, DUTRAVEL said:

I see that you are following Chris' great advice about contacting MSC's special needs department with your specific requirements. If you don't hear back from them, try these Executive contacts:

 

Primary Contact
Massimo Bergamaschi
Vice President, Contact Center Operations
6750 N. Andrews Avenue
Suite 100
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309
massimo.bergamaschi@msccruisesusa.com

 

Secondary Contact
Sarah Doyle
CMO Luxury Division
Avenue Eugène-Pittard 401206
Geneva, Switzerland
sarah.doyle@msccruises.com

 

Albino Di Lorenz
Vice President of Operations
6750 N. Andrews Avenue
Suite 100
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309
adilorenzo@msccruises.com

 

Chief Executive
Richard Sasso
Chairman, MSC Cruises USA
6750 N. Andrews Avenue
Suite 100
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33309
richard.sasso@msccruisesusa.com

 

As to your last question, there are US federal regulations that require cruise ships leaving from the United States to allow Service Dogs onboard. The Access Board was working on further regulations that would have covered relief box location etc., but our prior presidential administration halted those regulations via Executive Order 13771 (requiring that for each new federal regulation two current regulations be eliminated). For now, we all have to individually negotiate relief box issues.

 

Thank you so so so much for this information that helps tremendously!!

On 2/4/2023 at 4:46 PM, Caribbean Chris said:

If I were in that position I would escalate to a higher level of management by phone, email, and written letter and state exactly what I need in detail (rather than ask what THEY think is a reasonable accomodation. Puppy pads aren't it.) For me, that would be the cruise line providing a 4X4 foot leakproof wooden box filled with grass sod or, if grass not available, with garden mulch. It should be placed either on the passenger's verandah if space permits or in an ACCESSIBLE area, preferably on deck under cover away from high wind and rain. 

I have myself spoken to a manager from MSC Netherlands he couldn’t find any information even when het contacted Italy the MSC headquarters he did get the smae crapy answer.

the same for my TA she went thru every contact she has with MSC and got the same old same…

my TA is going to send in the special needs form and I will do it by myself also. One of us sends a copy of the other.

i will state clearly that what you wrote because that’s exactly what I (ok my dog) needs.

Hello, 

I’m blind and have a service dog (guide dog for the blind).

We are cruising a 4 night cruise on MSC in May leaving and ending at  Port Canaveral.
At any other cruiseline they provide a relief area somewhere outside or in a passage for crew. Plus as far as i know every cruiseline is open about what they arrange for service dogs.

MSC works different they are secretive like crazy.
They won’t share anything even if you specifically ask what they arrange for relief areas.
The only answer we (that’s me and my TA) receive is we’ll take care of it.
As far as reviews go (very few to find) there is one that i can find that says they provide puppy pads for in the bathroom to pee.
Well that’s never going to work because a service dog is never ever going to pee or poop inside unless the dog is sick and it’s an accident… Or at least that’s how they are trained here in The Netherlands.

i understand that because they sail out of the USA they have to comply to the ADA eventho they are based in Europe.

if this is the case does the ADA have something about relief areas fro the service animal or is it only just that they have to let a SD onboard??

Thanks

On 2/4/2023 at 4:29 PM, TrinaLC said:

A woman on Facebook is asking about service dog relief areas on MSC, specifically MSC Seaside.  She is not getting clear answers from MSC though it is being suggested by MSC that they supply pee pee pads for use in cabin bathroom. 
 

That won’t work for her service guide dog. 
 

I *think* I’ve seen a makeshift relief area (box + sawdust) in an out of the way place on promenade on an MSC ship but not sure. 
 

Any experiences from y’all seasoned service dog cruisers?

 

 

 

Thank you soo much!!

That post was from me and i’ll make the same just in this topic.

I have some questions about the perks that come with Diamond:

* Specialty Restaurant dinner plus 1 cabin guest (no beverages)

Is this for all restaurants and then it’s the experience menu you get for free?

* 40% off onboard pictures

Is this only valid when you buy photos without a photo package?

Is this discount valid on photo packages bought onboard?

is this discount valid on photo packages bought online?
 

* MSC Voyagers Club Photo (at restaurant)

Is this just one photo that’s made in de restaurants or is there a specific place/ time for this?

* 10% off Wi-Fi * (Browse Cruise / Browse & Stream Cruise)

Is this only valid when you buy photos without a photo package?

Is this discount only valid on wifi bought onboard?

is this discount valid on wifi bought online?

* A collection of flexible onboard offers

Does anybody know what those are?

* 50% off F1 Simulator

is this only valid if you “pay” for your ride or is it also discounted when you use a fun pass to pay for this?

* 30% off the second massage

Does the massage be on the same person or is this per cabin?

Thanks

41 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

I can't answer for Seaside, as I never saw or looked for such a thing, nor do I remember seeing any service animals.  But when on Divina there is a partial promenade deck below the lifeboats.  It did not officially go all around the bow, but there was a crew only door through the bow, it wasn't locked or blocked off, and I went through there doing laps and there was a large tray there, like a very large litter box, don't remember what the substance was, but I don't believe it was grass or fake grass.  EM

Thanks!!

Hello, 
I need some help.

Is there anybody that is cruising soon on the Seaside and is willing to spend some of their time for me during their vacation to do some needed research.
** Preferable multiple people the more the better**

What i need: Go to guest relations desk to ask to speak to the person that arrange all the special services for disabled people onboard.
And specifically ask that person what kind of relief area they supple for service dogs?
Is it a bin with grass that they provide outside somewhere onboard and how big?
If you don’t get to speak a person could you ask for an email address so that i can send an email to the correct person that knows first hand how they handle it onboard the Seaside.

If you see someone with a service dog onboard could you please ask them how it’s arranged?!?

Backstory:
I’m blind and have a service dog (guide dog for the blind).
At any other cruiseline they provide a relief area somewhere outside or in a passage for crew. Plus every cruiseline is open about what they arrange for service dogs.

MSC works different they are secretive like crazy.
They won’t share anything even if you specifically ask what they arrange for relief areas.
The only answer we received is we’ll take care of it.
As far as reviews go (very few to find) there is one that i can find that says they provide puppy pads for in the bathroom to pee.
Well that’s never going to work because a service dog is never ever going to pee or poop inside unless the dog is sick and it’s an accident…

So before i can book MSC (again since the last time was before i got my service dog) i need to know that they arrange all is needed for my dog.

Thanks

Hello, 
I need some help.

Is there anybody that is cruising soon on the Seaside and is willing to spend some of their time for me during their vacation to do some needed research.
** Preferable multiple people the more the better**

What i need: Go to guest relations desk to ask to speak to the person that arrange all the special services for disabled people onboard.
And specifically ask that person what kind of relief area they supple for service dogs?
Is it a bin with grass that they provide outside somewhere onboard and how big?
If you don’t get to speak a person could you ask for an email address so that i can send an email to the correct person that knows first hand how they handle it onboard the Seaside.

If you see someone with a service dog onboard could you please ask them how it’s arranged?!?

Backstory:
I’m blind and have a service dog (guide dog for the blind).
At any other cruiseline they provide a relief area somewhere outside or in a passage for crew. Plus every cruiseline is open about what they arrange for service dogs.

MSC works different they are secretive like crazy.
They won’t share anything even if you specifically ask what they arrange for relief areas.
The only answer we received is we’ll take care of it.
As far as reviews go (very few to find) there is one that i can find that says they provide puppy pads for in the bathroom to pee.
Well that’s never going to work because a service dog is never ever going to pee or poop inside unless the dog is sick and it’s an accident…

So before i can book MSC (again since the last time was before i got my service dog) i need to know that they arrange all is needed for my dog.

Thanks

Just wanted to let you all know that we used the X80 from Piraeus port to Athens on November 3th!!!

So so far it is still running after October.

How long this is the case i don't know but i thought to share this information.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Thanks Pete!!

Thanks!!!

That would be great!!!

I figured since Ferrari and MSC are Italian but you're never sure....

Does anybody know if it's possible to watch a F1 race during a cruise onboard the Orchestra in Europe.

Either on the tv in the stateroom or at a bar or where ever??

Thanks

Are there drink coupons packages for cocktails??

There used to be but can't find it online anymore so curious if they still sell them onboard.

What are the prices for photopackages onboard??

Thanks

We are on another ship but planning (and going to) doing it on our own.

We are going to rent a car and then drive to those places and have our own time there.

There are some posts about renting a car in Santorini on this board...

I just checked your excursion options:

I would choose to go with the middle priced one, Dreaming Paris full day with packed lunch.

Here are my motivations to why:

The price difference isn't that huge between the tours and from what i understand with your tour is that you drive around get 2 hours of free time (that must include lunch on your own) and a stop at the Eiffel Tower (think 10 minutes for photo stop).

The tour i suggest has 1.5 hours of free time and you have a packed lunch so you can eat in the bus while driving around.

Plus you get a panoramic drive thru Paris and get a guided tour of Sorbonne and Jardin Luxembourg so you get the feeling of real Paris.

And as the kicker of this tour you get to see the Notre Dame inside included in this tour.

On your tour you have todo that in your free time and the lines can be long and it's sooo worth seeing it inside!!!