should we have been notified before booking?

[stanjj111]

we scheduled a trip from fll on the poesia on nov 15th. through the boards i found out that 1/2 the ship will be occupied by "shiprocked" which is ca. 14 rock goups giving concerts to ca.1200 attendees. although msc said that these concerts will not interfere with the "normal" activities i am annoyed that we we not told that 1/2 the ship would be occupied in this manner. do you think that we should have been notified before booking?

[Cruisenouvelle]

In a perfect world, yes - you should have been notified. But the cruiseline likely is afraid that by doing so, they'll have so many cancellations that only the rockers will end up on the ship! :eek: I'm sorry that this is happening to you, believe me. Hopefully their impact will be minimal.

[sbhdmh]

When I first joined CC I read on the Family Board of people who discovered that they had booked their children on a cruise with a group of swingers! :eek:!

 

I guess these things happen. I can only hope that the groups are not allowed to interfere too much with normal operations or they would never be able to sell the other cabins. Let us know how it goes.

[Gabruska]

HI

I am in the same situation right now. I have two small children. I have called my travel agent, called MSC, e-mail MSC they all assured me we will not have problem. Well there is nothing I can do now I guess. I am little afraid, but in the worst case I am hoping if there is a problem they better be giving me FREE cruise next time.

I think they should have notify us absolutely, especially if they advertise FREE kids and than they book heavy metal passengers!!! I am just going to try not let it ruined my vacation and belive them. We may see you there Stanjj111

[mapsmith]

I was booked on a Princess Cruise that was a Polka Cruise with several internationally known Polka Bands. They used some of the larger lounges at times for their performances, but we never ran into any problems. They seemed to all be in a separate Dining Room. Although we did see some interesting outfits (think square dancers). But even though roughly 60% of the passengers had booked for the Polka Cruise, there was no conflict.

 

Although with Rockers, there might be some Alcohol related incidents, and probably more than a few very sunburned sun bunnies by the pools.

 

I really would not worry about the rockers spilling over too much into your cruise.

[vijoge]

I think as cruisers we need to be more pro-active when making our plans and not leave it to chance that the cruiseline and/or travel agent will make us aware of special events that will occur during our cruise.

 

I have found that the easiest way to do this is to google something like

msc poesia march 20, 2010 where, without much trouble, I can see that this will be an Oldies Theme Cruise. I'm old as dirt so this is fine with me and the grandkids will just have to suffer through it.

 

When I googled msc poesia november 15, 2009 if found this:

http://www.getshiprocked.com/tag/msc-cruises/ as well as several other links regarding this rocker cruise.

 

In addition, I see that the MSC website has a Promotions tab that lists Theme Cruises as well.

 

This is by no means meant as a criticism of those who were taken by surprise when they found out they had booked one of these special sailings. I, too, have found myself on a cruise ship with a "group":rolleyes: that I would preferred not to have met! It didn't ruin my cruise but had I done a bit more research I would have chosen a different date. That's when I learned to always check to see if there is anything planned.

 

Maybe this will help someone avoid future anxiety.

[stanjj111]

Hi. hope to see you on board also. we are in 1254. let me know what room you are in if you are interested. are you booked on any excursions? regards, stan

stanjj111@netzero.net

[stanjj111]

we expect to have a good time no matter what. although to info is available by googling it really should not be necessary. the theme cruises are not mentioned on msc's web site.

[Signor John]

It's a pretty big ship (with a capacity of more than 3,000 when kids in the parents' staterooms are included), so those 1,200 rockers are likely to be in the minority.

 

Probably the biggest impact will be smoking complaints--not about where people are smoking, but what they're smoking. :-)

[vijoge]

the theme cruises are not mentioned on msc's web site.

 

Yes, they are. :) There is a tab labeled PROMOTIONS and if you click on it the drop down is Theme Cruises.

 

I don't just google to find out about theme cruises, however. There are many other things that can be scheduled that may or may not affect my cruise choice, particularly group cruises, which can range from the Smith Family Reunion to Vegans Unlimited to Nudists Anon to the National Federation of East Coast Seniors Over Ninety. None of these groups are real, of course, and some I might not mind sailing with. Some might make me choose another date.

[Gabruska]

HI

Well that is the problem right there it is NOT advertised that this is a theme cruise by MSC. That is what they have should have DONE!!!!! And believe me I Google a lot. Just didn't even think about this can happened. We I will obviously learn next time:rolleyes:. Especially if they hugely advertise KIDS SAIL FREE. Forgot to mention oh yeah bring your kids but cover their eyes and ears when they see a drunk group of people using some R rated language. I may be exaggerating and it's not going to be like that at all, but need to be prepared.

[ajburlingame]

I am sure this is going to make me REALLY unpopular.....but......it amazes me that since they are "Rockers" it is assumed that there will be alcohol and smoking issues/problems. I guess I am more open minded than that. Of course, I have extremally eclectic music tastes. I like everything from extremally hard rock, classic rock, current country, old country, 50's & 60's music, pop. Actually, there is very little music that I do not enjoy. With that being said, I have attended probably 100 concerts or more during my life. By far the worst drug usage, smoke and alcohol problems of all concerts that I have ever been to was within the past few years at a 60's summer specacular show.

 

So, in my honest opinion, I don't believe it should be required for them to tell you, BUT if they want to improve there customer service and make more people who feel the same way as you happy they may want to consider changing this policy.

[Cruisenouvelle]

HI

Well that is the problem right there it is NOT advertised that this is a theme cruise by MSC. That is what they have should have DONE!!!!! And believe me I Google a lot. Just didn't even think about this can happened. We I will obviously learn next time:rolleyes:. Especially if they hugely advertise KIDS SAIL FREE. Forgot to mention oh yeah bring your kids but cover their eyes and ears when they see a drunk group of people using some R rated language. I may be exaggerating and it's not going to be like that at all, but need to be prepared.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the difference is that an MSC Theme Cruise is one that the ship actually sponsors- they plan the activities, entertainment, etc., to appeal to a specific demographic. The 'rocker' cruise is not technically sponsored by MSC, they've just allowed an outside group or agency to promote the cruise through its website, publications, etc.

[Gabruska]

Yes that is correct.

[camofwilliamsburg]

Why ask MSC to do anything more or different than any other cruise line? No one notifies anyone of any big group coming on board. What they do is try to make sure this group does not interfere with the activities of all the other passengers. They are not obligated at all to any passenger to tell. No one does. I have sailed RCI a lot and figured it out on my own when a huge group is booked.... When you book early and too many cabins are not avail that is a big clue. I also goggle info. I found out that a porn group was on RCI the week that I wanted to go.... Well I only knew it was a large group. I changed my week. The staff told us that we missed the porn stars by a week. Now RCI is billed as family style cruising too...so why bash MSC?

[Gabruska]

Why ask MSC to do anything more or different than any other cruise line? No one notifies anyone of any big group coming on board. What they do is try to make sure this group does not interfere with the activities of all the other passengers. They are not obligated at all to any passenger to tell. No one does. I have sailed RCI a lot and figured it out on my own when a huge group is booked.... When you book early and too many cabins are not avail that is a big clue. I also goggle info. I found out that a porn group was on RCI the week that I wanted to go.... Well I only knew it was a large group. I changed my week. The staff told us that we missed the porn stars by a week. Now RCI is billed as family style cruising too...so why bash MSC?

 

I understand your point. I guess I would do it different as a business owner. I do own a hotel and for example when we have large motorcycle group and have customers with children or elderly calling to book that weekend I suggest to them to come next weekend because I want them to be "HAPPY" and not risk that they may not like the motorcycle noise in the morning. And if my customers will call me and want to switch dates I will not a have a problem because I want to make my customer "HAPPY"

It is just the difference of doing business. I am not bashing them I just wish they would do anything possible to satisfy their customers. That is what I feel. I will tkae this as a lesson for me for next time I will do my research better before I book a cruise.

[taszmom]

Went on a cruise and unknowlingly there was a heavy metal rock group on the sailing. There was a lot of the F-word going around everywhere throughout the ship, a few drunk girls practically naked and grind dancing with some drunk guys at the pool. Probably would have gone further if security didn't go over and speak to them. I really didn't want my 9 yr exposed to that. Of course when these things occurred we left the area.

 

You want to party like that, not for me to tell you to stop but this is a family cruise line. It's a tough thing for the cruise line....Who's fun do they spoil? Which passengers do they want to impress and have them cruise in the future and which do they want to piss off to never return?

 

MSC is trying to break into the U.S. market so it will be interesting to see if a) what kind of behavior occurs on this sailing if any, and b) how will MSC handle it? I am keeping an open mind and hoping for the best. Fortunately, my 9yr old won't be on this one and I don't personally have a problem with going on a cruise with a heavy metal rock band, BUT I am a travel agent and it may sway me from recommending MSC to my clients. They want to sell their cruises as family cruise product obviously by offering the Kids Sail Free promo so I think they need to make sure they deliver that.

[Gabruska]

went on a cruise and unknowlingly there was a heavy metal rock group on the sailing. There was a lot of the f-word going around everywhere throughout the ship, a few drunk girls practically naked and grind dancing with some drunk guys at the pool. Probably would have gone further if security didn't go over and speak to them. I really didn't want my 9 yr exposed to that. Of course when these things occurred we left the area.

 

You want to party like that, not for me to tell you to stop but this is a family cruise line. It's a tough thing for the cruise line....who's fun do they spoil? Which passengers do they want to impress and have them cruise in the future and which do they want to piss off to never return?

 

Msc is trying to break into the u.s. Market so it will be interesting to see if a) what kind of behavior occurs on this sailing if any, and b) how will msc handle it? I am keeping an open mind and hoping for the best. Fortunately, my 9yr old won't be on this one and i don't personally have a problem with going on a cruise with a heavy metal rock band, but i am a travel agent and it may sway me from recommending msc to my clients. They want to sell their cruises as family cruise product obviously by offering the kids sail free promo so i think they need to make sure they deliver that.

 

 

amen!

[camofwilliamsburg]

WHo said they are branding themselves as a family cruise line..just because they sail kids for free? That is your interpretation. They are allowing more adults to sail this way and more people to be expossed to MSC. RCI also has the same amount of large groups, and they brand themselves as a family oriented cruise line. Not to recommend MSC because they sell large group space to group is kind of silly. It is your job then as a TA to know when a large block of space is being taken .... It is not the type of group that bothers me. It is any large group..they seem to take over areas.

[stanjj111]

i agree that the issue is any large group.

[cruiseathon]

Yes, I do think you should have been told before booking, as 1200 is a very sizeable minority. Recently I saw an article about a couple suing a cruiseline because they'd been booked on a gay cruise (posted a link to the relevant newspaper article in the news forum). My own personal nightmare is getting aboard to find out I'm on a nudist cruise ;).

[Southsideirish]

Booked on this cruise because it was a steal and my sister and I needed some rest. We were a little worried we would not be "dressed up" enough for the Italians and my sister called the cruise line and asked about entertainment and if there would be opera ! So no more worries about our not be dressed up enough and we will get some great photos for our children and grandchildren to laugh at-we are sisters who cruise and will be in 8085 and in the casino.

[filmstarco]

New to these forums, and taking my first cruise in November as an attendee of the Shiprocked "theme" that many of you are speaking of. I love the music and that is the main reason I am going (with a bunch of friends who also love the music) but can just say, for the record - and NOT to cause issues here...but I am not a drinker, I don't smoke anything at all (never have), my boyfriend has two little girls (as do the couples we are going with) and we don't usually swear like truck drivers. I'm sure there will be some folks that are not displaying appropriate behavior (which I loathe more than you can imagine) and I agree the cruiseline def should have advised you that Shiprocked was on the boat (as I would have wanted to know too)...but I needed to just speak up and let you know...not ALL those excited about attending Shiprocked will be a bad influence - plus I'm just really excited to take my first cruise ever.

 

(Just noticed this is an old forum...oops.)

[mamasue]

DH and I were booked on a B2B last year on the Poesia....the first part turned out to be a Shiprocked cruise!

Normal entertainment still went on....a few of the venues were rock music venues... we still had plenty to do....and it made for some very interesting people-watching!

Didn't see any drunk or unruly behaviour at all.... Shiprocked had their own security team.

TBH, we've seen more drunk unruly behaviour on a normal Carnival cruise!!!

[MSC Cruises USA]

Hello Cruise Critic Members!

 

While we certainly understand your concerns raised here about large groups being onboard, if a cruise is not chartered, a cruise line reserves the right not to disclose this information. The activities on board will still remain as scheduled as well as the entertainment. Once you are on board the ship, please check the daily program to see activities listed for that specific day.

We do hope you enjoy your cruise and look forward to welcoming you onboard an MSC ship!

 

MSC Cruises USA