***** MSC: US Cruisers ***

[labseldest]

FIRST TIME MSC CRUISER.  

 

I went out to the MSC website and attempted to book a cruise and I got the date, the length, itinerary, and of course the ship I wanted for my experience.  But then the site began asking me about my personal info without allowing me to designate the specific cabin I want to get.  I elected the Yacht Club and I honestly wasn't sure if I missed something and I didn't want to keep going forward.  I got to the page asking me to pay for everything or do the down payment but again I didn't get to select the cabin.  Am I missing something?  

 

Do I have the wrong expectations here?

 

I really do want to go on this cruise but it's a bit off-putting not being able to select my preferred suite.

 

Thanks, 

 

 

[Até]

45 minutes ago, labseldest said:

I really do want to go on this cruise but it's a bit off-putting not being able to select my preferred suite.

It's a problem with the MSC website,  it's been happening for several days now.   You can call in and get assistance if you need to book now. 

[anabella95]

Do you happen to know if they will be adding World Europa to the meet and mingle?  We are sailing 8/18/23 to 8/25/23 out of Barcelona, Spain.

[labseldest]

16 hours ago, Até said:

It's a problem with the MSC website,  it's been happening for several days now.   You can call in and get assistance if you need to book now. 

Thank you.  I did call in and learned the system automatically assigned me to an interior cabin so I got that straightened out to a suite.  I did learn some new things to help me with the pricing too.  I am about to hit Platinum with Carnival, so I will be able to Status Match for some savings and perks.

Thank you for your assistance.

 

 

[Até]

11 hours ago, anabella95 said:

Do you happen to know if they will be adding World Europa to the meet and mingle?  We are sailing 8/18/23 to 8/25/23 out of Barcelona, Spain.

The Cruise Critic M&M has not yet been reinstated by MSC.  These were primarily only held on US based sailings, so unlikely CC will be adding Europa to the list any time soon.  You can still plan a gathering through the Roll Call for your sailing.

 

I've read cases where MSC keeps records of past sailings,  where CC members that had attended MSC M&M'S in the past may get invited to a small event when no official gathering was planned for the sailing.

[jet228]

Hey all! Going on my first MSC cruise on Meraviglia on Thursday - so excited!  I'm having trouble finding out what terminal we embark from though. I know it's a dumb question but can anyone help?

 

Thanks!

[BamaVol]

1 hour ago, jet228 said:

Hey all! Going on my first MSC cruise on Meraviglia on Thursday - so excited!  I'm having trouble finding out what terminal we embark from though. I know it's a dumb question but can anyone help?

 

Thanks!

Terminal 10 is MSC. 

[BoatHair_Don]

Hello, this is my first time cruising MSC. Will be on Seascape. I want to purchase the non-alcoholic drink package, the list says you can get coffee and lattes but you can't get them at the coffee shop. Where do you get them at then?? ("Cannot be consumed in....Lavazza Coffee Shop and Jean Philippe Chocolate, Coffee, Crepes & Gelato.")?

Also, what brand of pop/soda do they have?

 

Thanks!!!

[Até]

Pretty much every bar on the ship has "coffee" making equipment.  The drinks packages just don't work with the independent franchises you mention.

 

In the US I've mainly seen Coke products,  there are usually several other independents available also.

[SallySlapCabbage]

I will be sailing on the Meraviglia in June in an aft Fantastica balcony. We recently sailed with Norwegian and for the first time bought “Beach Vibe” passes for the adult only sundeck and really enjoyed the less hectic atmosphere. Would anyone share with me their perspective on the Top Exclusive Solarium that is part of the Aurea experience? Is it worth $430pp when I’m otherwise happy with my current cabin? I get conflicting answers when I call customer service with my questions. Thanks in advance! 
Sally 

[cns]

We just booked our first two cruises on MSC, April 2024 on Seashore, and September 2025 on the World America. We have always stuck to CCL, NCL and once on Princess so we are excited to see what MSC is all about. So far however we have had some not great experiences with their customer service department, and their website sucks (at least compared to CCL). Hope this is not a reflection on how the cruises will be. 

 

Regarding the website. I set up an account, but it keeps telling me to link the booking numbers, but when I do it says there is a problem with the booking numbers and to try again, anybody else have that issue? Also, when I try to become a Voyages Club member, and put in my info it says my email address in already in use, but I have not signed up for it before. 

 

I know I will probably need to just call customer service, but was hoping someone here can elevate my initial worries about my experience so far.

[Oceans 818]

On 6/12/2023 at 4:55 AM, cns said:

We just booked our first two cruises on MSC, April 2024 on Seashore, and September 2025 on the World America. We have always stuck to CCL, NCL and once on Princess so we are excited to see what MSC is all about. So far however we have had some not great experiences with their customer service department, and their website sucks (at least compared to CCL). Hope this is not a reflection on how the cruises will be. 

 

Regarding the website. I set up an account, but it keeps telling me to link the booking numbers, but when I do it says there is a problem with the booking numbers and to try again, anybody else have that issue? Also, when I try to become a Voyages Club member, and put in my info it says my email address in already in use, but I have not signed up for it before. 

 

I know I will probably need to just call customer service, but was hoping someone here can elevate my initial worries about my experience so far.

Hi, I've found that MSC's customer service is hit or miss prior to sailing.

You have probably already found an answer. My solution is if I get someone who can't give a clear answer to any inquiry is to thank them, hang up and call again and hope to get a different agent. Once you get an agent who knows their business it's much easier. I've always found the CS onboard to be very good. I would call and speak to someone about the voyager's club email issue, and don't forget to status match your level from whichever cruise line you have the highest loyalty with.

Happy sailings!

[DONIC]

On 6/10/2022 at 4:51 AM, rscales2 said:

Anyone know do MSC have July 4th and Labor Day Sale. I was thinking of going on a 17 day Transatlantic cruise in November.. My Friend told me to wait the prices will go way down.

I booked this cruise yesterday.  Price for inside Fantastica was very inexpensive.  I can’t imagine it going any lower but I found it a better deal than airfare back from Europe

[JustCruzin77]

I have a few questions, as it's been several years since my last MSC cruise and everything has changed.
 

We are looking to book on the MSC Meraviglia out of New York in 2024.
They are currently offering the Cheers To Summer package which includes drinks, wifi and an OBC.

 

Has anyone booked this deal?
Which drink/wifi package does it include? Premium or something lower?
Does this offer any significant savings over adding drinks and or wifi after booking?
Does the wifi suck, or have they upgraded to Starlink?
Does the package include gratuities? Or will I have to pay extra gratuities on top of the normal gratuities?
We are not heavy drinkers so maybe booking after may be a better option?
If anyone knows package prices/day, this may help me decide the best option.
 

Thank you!

[JustCruzin77]

3 hours ago, JustCruzin77 said:

I have a few questions, as it's been several years since my last MSC cruise and everything has changed.
 

We are looking to book on the MSC Meraviglia out of New York in 2024.
They are currently offering the Cheers To Summer package which includes drinks, wifi and an OBC.

 

Has anyone booked this deal?
Which drink/wifi package does it include? Premium or something lower?
Does this offer any significant savings over adding drinks and or wifi after booking?
Does the wifi suck, or have they upgraded to Starlink?
Does the package include gratuities? Or will I have to pay extra gratuities on top of the normal gratuities?
We are not heavy drinkers so maybe booking after may be a better option?
If anyone knows package prices/day, this may help me decide the best option.
 

Thank you!

I think I was able to answer most of my own questions!

[Oceans 818]

2 hours ago, JustCruzin77 said:

I think I was able to answer most of my own questions!

Easiest way with the drink package is to multiply # of days by $61 as it's usually the plus that is included in offers. Of course on less than 6 nights it's $64 per day.

The wifi was okay on the ship but I've yet to get it to work on Ocean Cay.

We aren't heavy drinkers but do like cappuccino's after dinner and maybe a tea back to the room or a couple bottles of water to take while wandering a port of call. Not to mention the bottle of water in the MDR being incl. with the packages.

Also, on occasion we've had a cocktail that isn't to our liking and don't hesitate to not drink it as it isn't costing us $15 to leave it behind.

I am not sure on the cost of wifi but think it starts about $30 on a short cruise and goes up from there, if bought separately.

Our first cruise we paid the base price and waited till a few days before sailing and it was quite a bit more than it would have been packaged and that was without wifi.

The All In package price has been the best deal so far.

My only suggestion would be to book through a travel agent when they have a special on, as you'll get what MSC offers and then some. As you are from Ontario, check out US sites and do the math to see if you'd be better paying in US$ as I find the exchange rate with MSC is not in my favour. I've been basing the final payment being at 1.40 and still come out ahead. The rate lately has been 1.36 so it's even more savings. We book through a company that gives us extra OBC and occasionally other perks. Most US travel agents put on a special for every holiday. 

The Meraviglia is a very nice ship and I'm sure you will enjoy it!

[JustCruzin77]

On 7/7/2023 at 9:19 PM, juraspark said:

Easiest way with the drink package is to multiply # of days by $61 as it's usually the plus that is included in offers. Of course on less than 6 nights it's $64 per day.

The wifi was okay on the ship but I've yet to get it to work on Ocean Cay.

We aren't heavy drinkers but do like cappuccino's after dinner and maybe a tea back to the room or a couple bottles of water to take while wandering a port of call. Not to mention the bottle of water in the MDR being incl. with the packages.

Also, on occasion we've had a cocktail that isn't to our liking and don't hesitate to not drink it as it isn't costing us $15 to leave it behind.

I am not sure on the cost of wifi but think it starts about $30 on a short cruise and goes up from there, if bought separately.

Our first cruise we paid the base price and waited till a few days before sailing and it was quite a bit more than it would have been packaged and that was without wifi.

The All In package price has been the best deal so far.

My only suggestion would be to book through a travel agent when they have a special on, as you'll get what MSC offers and then some. As you are from Ontario, check out US sites and do the math to see if you'd be better paying in US$ as I find the exchange rate with MSC is not in my favour. I've been basing the final payment being at 1.40 and still come out ahead. The rate lately has been 1.36 so it's even more savings. We book through a company that gives us extra OBC and occasionally other perks. Most US travel agents put on a special for every holiday. 

The Meraviglia is a very nice ship and I'm sure you will enjoy it!

Thanks for the info, we ended up booking through MSC because our travel agent didn't have any extra perks at the moment, and for some reason their price was higher than MSC. They were not getting any added discounts with out Voyager number, but on MSC it gave us an added discount.

I've never used a US travel agent, maybe I should look into that!

[Oceans 818]

55 minutes ago, JustCruzin77 said:

Thanks for the info, we ended up booking through MSC because our travel agent didn't have any extra perks at the moment, and for some reason their price was higher than MSC. They were not getting any added discounts with out Voyager number, but on MSC it gave us an added discount.

I've never used a US travel agent, maybe I should look into that!

We've only used a Canadian TA once. He kept trying to steer us towards other cruise companies but we wanted MSC as we'd sailed with them and liked them. I had to specifically ask him to contact MSC for our Voyagers discount and OBC's. He didn't offer anything over and above what I found online and when the price dropped by over $400, I had to threaten to cancel the booking for him to contact MSC for the upgrade we wanted due to the price drop.

After that, I looked into booking through the US. MSC won't let us book through their US site and the Canadian site is about 10% higher than the going exchange rates.

We've been using Direct Line Cruises. So far we've always been give OBC and for booking during a special we were given a bottle of wine and chocolate covered strawberries for our upcoming cruise. They also have a loyalty club and you can accrue points to exchange for various things, depending on which cruise line, what is offered. I found them through Trip Advisor cruises. They show several companies with links.

[JustCruzin77]

1 hour ago, juraspark said:

We've only used a Canadian TA once. He kept trying to steer us towards other cruise companies but we wanted MSC as we'd sailed with them and liked them. I had to specifically ask him to contact MSC for our Voyagers discount and OBC's. He didn't offer anything over and above what I found online and when the price dropped by over $400, I had to threaten to cancel the booking for him to contact MSC for the upgrade we wanted due to the price drop.

After that, I looked into booking through the US. MSC won't let us book through their US site and the Canadian site is about 10% higher than the going exchange rates.

We've been using Direct Line Cruises. So far we've always been give OBC and for booking during a special we were given a bottle of wine and chocolate covered strawberries for our upcoming cruise. They also have a loyalty club and you can accrue points to exchange for various things, depending on which cruise line, what is offered. I found them through Trip Advisor cruises. They show several companies with links.

 

Thanks for the info, just a quick web quote came to about the same price, but they may have some extra perks available. Maybe I will email them, or just save the contact for our next booking.

 

Thank you!

[Pizzasteve]

On 7/11/2023 at 10:25 AM, JustCruzin77 said:

 

Thanks for the info, just a quick web quote came to about the same price, but they may have some extra perks available. Maybe I will email them, or just save the contact for our next booking.

 

Thank you!

Hi.  I noticed the amazing prices for the full trip.  Wondered if anyone knows why the price per day is about half if you leave from Italy, vs where we join in Madeira.  Our deal is still good, but for a decent balcony room it was about $35 per day (though i think this one may be obstructed) vs $78 per day (basic not obstructed balcony). Those were basic cruise without any perks.

Edited July 18, 2023 by Pizzasteve

[CruiseLand]

Didn't cruise with MSC for a while. Booked my 3 days cruise From Port Canaveral for this September. I am Diamond Status. Do we still get 1 free taste menu, Champaign +sweet treat, Party, and some gifts? or do they get rid of all those perks? Who went on recently please help.

[mattyone77]

Booked on the Meriviglia August 13th. 1st time on MSC. Always did primarily NCL and we wanted the Haven but all was booked. We booked the Yacht Club. 

[AjijicMexico]

On 3/14/2020 at 3:18 PM, Host Carolyn said:

To discuss bookings, cancellations etc. relating to US market

I was on the Divina a few months ago, the ship was fine, the crew I came in contact with were great.  MSC communications and customer service is deplorable.   I have heard terrible feed back about customer service at the Ft Lauderdale number but recently experienced it.  I booked a cruise for April 2024 using my voyagers club card discount and a voucher which I had received from the casino on a previous cruise. Booked it, got my booking number, was debited from my Mastercard $300.00.  A week later I am informed the cruise will be rebooked because they did not charge me enough.  They would not honor the original booking MSC did for me.  You can ask to speak to their superior/manager they say there is no one.  I told them to just cancel.  They told me my deposit would be returned in around 2 months.  Now, it took them 5 seconds for them to debit me but it takes 2 months for me to get the deposit back, understand , this is their mistake, they brought this on not me.  I booked and paid in good faith, I thought they booked it for me in good faith that I would pay the balance 60 days before the cruise. 
 

I planned and picked this particular cruise with 6 other friends, they are booked.  I have been trying to book this cruise again using an agency, I refuse to use MSC to book now.  I am willing for the agency to receive the commision rather than book direct with MSC.  My MSC casino voucher states you can use this voucher through any travel agency I choose.  So far every agency tells me they can’t do it,  have to book direct with MSC.  MSC says I can use an agency.  Once again, there is no superior/manager with authority I can speak with.  I am at a stand still again waiting for some sort of confirmation.  

[Mark_T]

On 7/31/2023 at 9:42 PM, AjijicMexico said:

 I booked a cruise for April 2024 using my voyagers club card discount and a voucher which I had received from the casino on a previous cruise. Booked it, got my booking number, was debited from my Mastercard $300.00.  A week later I am informed the cruise will be rebooked because they did not charge me enough.  They would not honor the original booking MSC did for me.  

Was it obviously a mistake fare that you git the first time? ...how much more were they intending to rebook it at?

 

 

[bizzle98]

Im going on MSC Meraviglia soon and have a Fantastica Balcony Stateroom for 3 guests (including myself). I got an email that i can upgrade to yacht which i always wanted but Im wondering if I bid, will i be paying for just me or the other two guests?