******MSC - UK CRUISERS ***

[Host Carolyn]

To share information and discuss booking and other questions pertinent to MSC operations and policies in UK

[ziggyuk]

4 hours ago, Host Carolyn said:

To share information and discuss booking and other questions pertinent to MSC operations and policies in UK

 

So what is the purpose of this sticky?

 

Are those in the UK supposed to refrain from posting in the main forum and instead post here?

There is now half a page of stickys which is more than a little excessive, if sub forums are needed can official sub forums not be created?

 

Will there be a sub board for every country, a Europe board maybe, I see there is already a US sub board?

Edited March 15, 2020 by ziggyuk

[travelberlin]

Where are the others going to post? I mean those who do not belong to the USA or UK? We are for sure a minority but we still participate in these forums.

[cublet]

Hello,

 

I think the intention is to stop not quite abusive but certainly frank exchanges between parties that have booked under different T&Cs yet maintain, or at least imply, that their understanding of those T&Cs apply to all.

 

It would be better if (1) All CC posters put their location somewhere in their 'Name' or the location explicitly; and (2) The heading of this thread referred to the origin/home of the T&Cs being discussed ie US T&Cs & UK T&Cs and however many more versions there are (and not just the domicile of the poster).

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

[davidgv]

When all the virus situation is over perhaps it will be a good idea to agitate for one set of terms and conditions worldwide!

 

[Addict]

On 3/15/2020 at 6:20 PM, cublet said:

I think the intention is to stop not quite abusive but certainly frank exchanges between parties that have booked under different T&Cs yet maintain, or at least imply, that their understanding of those T&Cs apply to all.

 

It would be better if (1) All CC posters put their location somewhere in their 'Name' or the location explicitly; and (2) The heading of this thread referred to the origin/home of the T&Cs being discussed ie US T&Cs & UK T&Cs and however many more versions there are (and not just the domicile of the poster)

Very good suggestion Cublet.  I've just amended mine to include UK.  I for one have certainly had some "frank" exchanges regarding T&Cs in the last 48 hours! 🙂

[CruisingFox27]

The UK Foreign Office has now advised against all International travel for 30 days.

 

As a side note, while we were away on our Splendida part mystery cruise and it was difficult to access information, I'm grateful to those who took time to look information up on my behalf. Thanks particularly to @ziggyuk

[ziggyuk]

33 minutes ago, CruisingFox27 said:

The UK Foreign Office has now advised against all International travel for 30 days.

 

As a side note, while we were away on our Splendida part mystery cruise and it was difficult to access information, I'm grateful to those who took time to look information up on my behalf. Thanks particularly to @ziggyuk

 

Thanks CF, I appreciate that 🙂 

It was no big deal and I'm glad it helped, I know how hard it can be away from home without a decent connection.

[Bertie Doe]

Interesting Cruise Critic interview with Mr A Paradiso , head of MSC UK, you may have already seen it, if not :-

 

https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/5296/ 

 

Deals with cruising Post Covid 19. Some are expected i.e. increased health screening for us oldies. Deep cleaning of cabins etc.

 

Future prices will "depend on demand" and possible "future reduced capacity." Hmm, this may be a reference to his "changes on how we manage Food & Beverages" Could the Buffet be a casualty? what do you think? Reduced capacity may mean fewer cabin stewards but more waiters required in the MDR and specialist eateries if they want tables further apart.

 

Is this a recipe for price increases 2021/22, any thoughts?

 

[stoneman56]

Don't know if it's been mentioned but MSC have canceled all sailings until July 10th. 

That's our cruise canceled. I've already put in my claim for a refund from our travel agent.

[Hallcross]

On 4/23/2020 at 11:01 AM, Bertie Doe said:

Interesting Cruise Critic interview with Mr A Paradiso , head of MSC UK, you may have already seen it, if not :-

 

https://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/news/5296/ 

 

Deals with cruising Post Covid 19. Some are expected i.e. increased health screening for us oldies. Deep cleaning of cabins etc.

 

Future prices will "depend on demand" and possible "future reduced capacity." Hmm, this may be a reference to his "changes on how we manage Food & Beverages" Could the Buffet be a casualty? what do you think? Reduced capacity may mean fewer cabin stewards but more waiters required in the MDR and specialist eateries if they want tables further apart.

 

Is this a recipe for price increases 2021/22, any thoughts?

 

7

[Hallcross]

Just read article etc, I am about to pay a large balance for late August departure, I can't see it going ahead from Venice! 

I don't want to reschedule as it's a Golden Wedding Anniversary trip so pointless another date. 

[stoneman56]

On 5/11/2020 at 1:52 PM, Hallcross said:

Just read article etc, I am about to pay a large balance for late August departure, I can't see it going ahead from Venice! 

I don't want to reschedule as it's a Golden Wedding Anniversary trip so pointless another date. 

How much will you lose if you just cancel. Could be worth doing that if its only going to be a couple hundred pounds because ofthe trouble people are having trying to get a refund

[stoneman56]

Refund received today from Cruise 1st for our June cruise. 

Very good customer relations, no argument when I asked, all done within 2 weeks. 

I'll remember you when I want to book again

[alpha whiskey]

14 hours ago, stoneman56 said:

Refund received today from Cruise 1st for our June cruise. 

Very good customer relations, no argument when I asked, all done within 2 weeks. 

I'll remember you when I want to book again

Wow! Great news and impressive. Hopefully more UK refunds coming down the track soon. I am waiting a refund for 22April cruise.

Anyone else had any luck? 

 

[sidari]

On 5/27/2020 at 7:39 AM, alpha whiskey said:

Wow! Great news and impressive. Hopefully more UK refunds coming down the track soon. I am waiting a refund for 22April cruise.

Anyone else had any luck? 

 

AW ... Had a reply from Cr1 today in response to my email to them last week asking when they would be in touch regarding this cruise, here is their reply which was not what was asked! With regard to the content I doubt that anyone had received a refund for a June sailing!

 

 

Thank you for your email and apologies for the delayed response. MSC advised us that refunds from them were taking between 60-120 days to come through to us, we are starting to see some come through in the past couple of days so once these have been processed by our finance team we will be in touch as soon as we have yours available.

[alpha whiskey]

18 hours ago, sidari said:

AW ... Had a reply from Cr1 today in response to my email to them last week asking when they would be in touch regarding this cruise, here is their reply which was not what was asked! With regard to the content I doubt that anyone had received a refund for a June sailing!

 

 

Thank you for your email and apologies for the delayed response. MSC advised us that refunds from them were taking between 60-120 days to come through to us, we are starting to see some come through in the past couple of days so once these have been processed by our finance team we will be in touch as soon as we have yours available.

Thanks Sidari. I have received nothing of substance from my TA either, other than they will 'chase' MSC. 

Phoned MSC directly but they are unable to help or comment as booked through a TA.

 

[MrsBlakey]

On 5/28/2020 at 1:51 PM, Couple-Somerset said:

We are due on Virtuosa in December.

The shipyard and MSC agree that the ship wont be ready until early 2021.

However, the UK office wont issue a FCC or anything as they say "the cruise has not been cancelled, merely delayed"

Thankfully, Im not desperate for the money but as they know it wont be sailing, it would be better for them PR wise to start the FCC/refund process.

Im quite happy to rebook but cant do it until they make a move.

 We are also on the Virtuosa in January 2021 and contacted MSC about this. The reply we got was this:

 

Hope you are well and keeping safe. We are aware of reports surrounding the launch of MSC Virtuosa. For the moment we haven’t had any official statement regarding the ship being delayed. Should anything affect your sailing, we shall be in contact when and if we need to. Our website is frequently updated and will be should the ship be delayed. 

We thank you for your continued support during these unprecedented times.

Kind Regards,

S. H. 
Contact Centre Agent

 

What is more frustrating for us is that as we booked over 1 year ago, we couldn't book flights at the same time, and have since been unable to on the MSC website since, so have booked these separately, same with transfers. We really need to know where we stand with our Virtuosa sailing so that we can try and change these if necessary.  We had tried to get MSC to contact us about web booking flights etc but never received a reply. We are more and more disillusioned with MSC and haven't yet set foot on Virtuosa. The problems are not all Coronavirus as some have been brewing before.

[MrsBlakey]

5 minutes ago, Couple-Somerset said:

 

MSC are a terrible company for customer service - always have been.

 

We are in the same situation re flights - we booked ours with Vueling nearly a year ago.

 

The problem we have is we KNOW the ship wont be built and the cruise will be cancelled BUT until that happens we cannot claim for the flights on our travel insurance.

 

Our travel insurance runs out in September and a new policy wont include coronavirus cover - but we arent sure if the flights will still be covered due to the ship delay or if they whole lot will be put down to coronavirus and we either have to pay to reschedule flights to another date or lose the money.

 

I am ready to book another MSC if they cancel soon, but will take the refund if they drag it out.

 

Our other issue is we booked Yacht Club on Virtuosa nearly 2 years ago for just £1,000 each - and any YC sailing of 7N or more now is £2,000+

 

Is it worth contacting the Citizens Advice Bureau? Just to see if there is another avenue that could compel a faster decision, or at least an increased FCC in view of the YC price hike. 

 

I would like to think that by September there has been a definite announcement as MSC surely can't fail to acknowledge a delay, once they pass the point at which they should be starting sea trials of the ship.

 

Have you spoken to your travel insurance company about any of this? You may still be covered beyond September if they put it down to Coronavirus, as the delay/cancellation and need to amend flights has happened due to a pandemic which commenced DURING your period of cover. It will of course all be down to the underwriting.

My personal experience though has been that if a covered cause happens in a policy term; any effects from this, happening after the policy ends (up to original cover limits) can still be claimed for. My experience has only been on Home and Car insurance, but that would not stop me from asking if a travel insurer would use the same principle. Particularly as they are often sold and underwritten by the same companies as home and vehicle insurers. 

[stoneman56]

On 6/3/2020 at 1:55 PM, sidari said:

AW ... Had a reply from Cr1 today in response to my email to them last week asking when they would be in touch regarding this cruise, here is their reply which was not what was asked! With regard to the content I doubt that anyone had received a refund for a June sailing!

 

 

Thank you for your email and apologies for the delayed response. MSC advised us that refunds from them were taking between 60-120 days to come through to us, we are starting to see some come through in the past couple of days so once these have been processed by our finance team we will be in touch as soon as we have yours available.

But MSC don't have your money. Your TA has it apart from the deposit. The TA only pays MSC after you have sailed. 

PS I've had my refund, you just have to know how to put them in a position they can't get out of. I've also had my refund for the flights from Ryanair

Edited June 4, 2020 by stoneman56

[sidari]

As far as I am aware MSC are paid 2 weeks prior to a booked cruise not after the cruise, we had to pay a cancellation fee for our flights with Airtransat to Canada but the difference was repaid within 4 days, hopefully our travel insurance will refund the cancellation fee.

[Pet]

We paid the balance on a May cruise on Seaview back in February and of course MSC have subsequently cancelled it. We haven't requested a refund because we would like to take the grandkids on it next year using a FCC as it seems to have superb children facilities, although the window of opportunity is limited to the school holidays in 2021There has been much speculation about what cruising will be like post Covid19 but I have seen nothing about how it could impact on children's enjoyment on board. For example, will facilities such as the water park be open as normal or will there be limitations enforced on the numbers allowed, or indeed will it be open at all? We have been on dozens of cruises so we are not doing this one for our benefit, but the children. If they are not going to enjoy it what is the point of trying to rebook it?

[davidgv]

So Her Majesty's Government has now advised us not to cruise .............

 

[Debbiem83]

@davidgvWhere did you see that published please?

Edited July 9, 2020 by Debbiem83

[cublet]

Hello,

From 9th July:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/cruise-ship-travel

 

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against cruise ship travel at this time. This is due to the ongoing pandemic and is based on medical advice from Public Health England.

The government will continue to review its cruise ship travel advice based on the latest medical advice.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet