jkgourmet

44 minutes ago, mickey89 said:

Totally incorrect info.

The DSC (Daily Service Charge) can easily be removed by a short visit to Guest Relations without hassle.

It is NOT mandatory and you’d definitely get better service to tip as you go, I can assure you.

You misunderstood.

 I meant that the hotel resort fee cannot be removed.

Call it a 'resort fee' like the hotels tack on to the bill.

  You'll feel better.

The EASY package is certainly NOT accepted all over the ship.  It's not useable in the specialty restaurants!

But thank you for the other information.

Its like the hotels that charge a daily resort fee.  Which CANNOT be removed.

On 2/9/2020 at 4:47 PM, frannie said:

called customer service said the problem was my account showed canada as country and i was on the us site . Told them to leave everything as it was til after our upcoming cruise . will fix it then 

 

Same thing happened to me.  It's accurate on the app.   I've given up on getting it fixed.

Since I'm unsure that we'll sail MSC again, I'm just gonna forget about it for now.

5 minutes ago, ziggyuk said:

A lot of shouting (capitals) but you have not said what happened, have you lost the points for not booking within the 3 year period?

We're the lost points from a status match?

I'm guessing that's what happened.  And I agree that the shouting is unnecessary - and pointless.  A snail mail letter would have more impact and reach the appropriate person in charge of these details.

That said, I do agree that it's a stupid policy - among many that are nickle and diming and add to the lousy reputation of MSC, not withstanding their match status program (especially since the Loyalty is really pretty poor until you reach diamond.)

BTW - many (most) airlines and hotels do the same thing.  

11 minutes ago, reedprincess said:

Unless you booked under a promo that included the  daily service charge, or your TA paid them for you, they are not included in your fare for bookings made in the US, regardless of when you booked.. they will be an additional charge, added as a lump sum once aboard, unless you prepay through your TA .  

 

Thank you.  That has answered MY question very adequately.  

NOT YC.

Is there an adults only pool?  If so which one?

Is there a pub?  If so, is the food extra charge?  Is the EASY package accepted (unlike the specialty restaurants)?

Is there a quiet-ish bar?  Is there a bar that typically offers classical or jazz (read not DJ produced rock, reggae, rap, etc.)

Thank you.

OMG.  Not this again. . .

On 2/2/2020 at 11:17 PM, yankees111 said:

Real mature of you to curse. You are probably just as cheap as the individual who started this thread!

Curse?  Where?  All I see is rudeness in the above quote, as well some other posters on this thread.

And a lot of opinions from people who have zero knowledge of how the system is distributed by MSC or ANY cruise line.

I hated hated hated the prior system. What is the appropriate amount.  Carrying cash onto the ship.  Did I bring enough?  And I hate carrying cash - it's a credit card society (or Apple/Google pay).  On the last day and night, I have to stews put tracking down those I want/need to tip.

I'll take the daily charge any day.  

I woukd remind you that when a party of eight dine in a restaurant, most US restaurants automatically add an 18% tip.  I don't object to that as I have the ability to change it - up or down.  I don't see this as any different.

11 hours ago, emmas gran said:

If I can chip in here DSC (daily service charge ) are the gratuities on MSC and have been include for us on bookings made since June 2019 as Ate said.

 

Liz

Okay, now I'm confused.  Booked in Dec 2019 for cruise this month.  Booked thru TA in the US (and we live in the US).  How can I. Confirm if the gratuities are included??

8 minutes ago, CruisinCrow said:

 

That is horrible!!  What are they doing for food and fuel? 

At least in the case of Thailand, the country is proving help with food and water.  I'd assume the same is true of the others who have refused them.  

I've no idea what they're doing for fuel.

You won't get a 1099.  The form from the casino should be Form W-2G or Form 5754.

You can also use cancelled checks, credit card records and receipts from the casino.

More reports from passengers on the quarantined Diamond Princess.   The tweets are quite interesting, imo.

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/amphtml/amberjamieson/diamond-princess-coronavirus-quarantine-cruise

You can follow@smjswhitebread 

@yardley_wong

14 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

Make that 190 cases of Noro on the Caribbean Princess (it was 140 when I went to bed last night)

 

http://outbreaknewstoday.com/cruise-ship-outbreak-190-sickened-onboard-princess-cruises-caribbean-princess-75534/

In fairness, I don't think noro compares with the risks of getting Corona.   I mean, mortality rates for noro are insignificant.  (In the US, 21 million cases and 800 deaths.)  https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/trends-outbreaks/burden-US.html

We've had the unfortunate experience of being on a ship that had a small number of passengers with noro - about 20 IIRC.  We never felt frightened.  In fact, we were quite impressed with how the crew handled cleaning and other measures to stop further infection.  Salt shakers disappeared,  replaced by packages. Pens for games disappeared,  replaced by tiny pencils that staff asked you to throw away.  Crew served at the buffet (which is something I wish they all did).  The clean9ng of everything that could be touched (including the walls) was constant.

1 minute ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

That is not interesting, it's terrifying! I try not to buy into conspiracy theories, but we all know that China controls it's media and is far from truthful. How reliable of a source is dailymail uk? 

About as reliable as our National Inquirer.  IIRC, the DM sort of specializes in conspiracy theory.

4 minutes ago, BNBR said:

 

I picked up mediums for I think $23lb or so.  Large are $32lb.  3 claws makes a good appetizer, medium or large.  About a half pound.  For a main, I like 8 to 10 claws.  Which is roughly $35 for mediums.  But if you just want a few medium claws, $12-$15 which isn't bad.  And Publix will crack them for you if you like.

Deeply appreciated.   

2 minutes ago, BNBR said:

 

We have considered it.  But likely we'll be home in Fort Lauderdale before you even board the train... I guess if I lived downtown I might use Brightline.  But definitely a great option from Palm Beach.

 

Not sure I'd want to use the luggage service. I guess the deal is worth the risk as opposed to just paying for tickets separately?

They won't sell the tickets separately if you're sailing MSC (and one other cruiseline but I forget which).  Kinda ticked me off, but hubby thought it would be fun to do the Virgin Train.  

1 minute ago, BNBR said:

 

We go to Billy's a couple of times every season.  And I'll splurge on some claws at Publix every few weeks or so. Hard to turn down fresh stone crab claws!  I'm a stone crab addict and I'm pretty sure stone crab is more pricey than heroin...

How much are they running at publix this year?  And remind me (it's been years), how much weight per person for an appetizer? 

On 2/8/2020 at 2:37 PM, capriccio said:

 

From the water taxi website (https://watertaxi.com/faqs/

 

There is ample parking available at Stop #1 335 SE. 6th Ave. Ft. Lauderdale within the Riverside Hotel Parking Garage.

It is metered parking and costs $3.00 per hour. Simply enter your license plate number in the pay station and make your payment. This location provides easy access to the riverfront and historic Las Olas Blvd. For more information about the location please click on the Maps & Schedules tab of this website.

At that price for parking, it probably makes more sense to leave the car at the hotel and call an Uber.

1 minute ago, BNBR said:

 

Which is why I'd do stone crab.  You can get fresh, never frozen all over.  It's local.  Why not enjoy the most famous and iconic seafood when visiting?

Good point - I should have thought of that!  (Maybe I would have if somebody else was paying the bill.  😱)

Market price for Alaskan King Crab Legs in Miami is $27 per pound or more.  The cost for AYCE might be equal to what we pay for 2-3 days on a cruise!

Billy's Stone Crab is Hollywood does them as well as stone crab, subject to availability.   Check the Japanese buffets, but keep in mind that many advertise "king crab legs" that end up being snow crab legs.

I'd do something else for dinner like fresh local fish.  The Alaskan king crab in florida will be frozen.  You can go home and get the same thing.

Thank you.  Were doing BL from FL to POM  primarily because it sounded more fun than parking at POM. 

(In our case, it's not much cheaper because we're sailing MSC.  BL has some kind of agreement with MSC where they take the luggage in FL and we don't see it again until we get to our cabin.  We would have preferred to just take it ourselves and pay the cheaper price, but BL will not oblige.)

Sigh.  I feel like this 'issue' is coming back. . . 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2720831-i-think-i-regret-booking-msc/