Movies in YC?

[walters–mor]

What does it’s cost to rent a movie on the tv?

 

 

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[rkacruiser]

3 hours ago, walters–mor said:

 

What does it’s cost to rent a movie on the tv?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

 

Somewhere in the range of $3-$6.  I rented one simply because it was a movie that I originally wanted to see when it was released and it left my local theaters before I made it there.  For a YC guest, this was the only "nickel and diming" experience that I had on Meravigilia and I did not appreciate it!

[phissy]

We cruised NCL in the past,. We have done Haven a couple of times and appreciated the free movies available to check out from the library they had for the Haven guests.

Then we sailed Meraviglia, in YC, and were very surprised that movie selections were pay per view. Frustrating, as they only had one English Channel on TV.

[BermudaBound2014]

3 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Somewhere in the range of $3-$6.  I rented one simply because it was a movie that I originally wanted to see when it was released and it left my local theaters before I made it there.  For a YC guest, this was the only "nickel and diming" experience that I had on Meravigilia and I did not appreciate it!

 

It was $12.95 when I sailed, price must have come down.

[rkacruiser]

23 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

It was $12.95 when I sailed, price must have come down.

 

My memory of the actual price could well be flawed.  What I remember the most was:  why do I am I expected to pay for this?  (On the plus side, if I had viewed the movie at my local theater, it would have cost me more than it did on the ship.)

 

2 hours ago, phissy said:

they only had one English Channel on TV.

 

I did not spend much time exploring the TV options available, but my impression is that there were plentiful channels in English on the Meraviglia.  Other language channels?  Yes.

[Hlitner]

MSC does seem to make some strange decisions when it comes to the YC.  When we were on the Divina our Concierge told us that Gelato was no longer included as a YC benefit.  One day we stopped at the poolside Gelato place and two servers actually argued with each other whether we needed to pay.  In the end they did not swipe our cards.  One of our concierges actually apologized to us about the policy (or lack thereof).  Another strange YC issue is with pizza which is offered free if you order from Room Service.  But if you go to the pizza place and get the same pizza you must pay.  

 

When it comes to the YC, MSC should simply include everything.  The few extra dollars they get from nickel and diming just serves to annoy passengers and is not a major revenue enhancer.  Speaking of the YC, we noticed that MSC has increased the cost of the YC (in the Caribbean) by about 20% for next year's cruises.  This actually caused us to NOT book a 14 day MSC cruise as we could actually book a much more interesting (and longer) itinerary on Oceania for about the same price.  We generally look for "value" with our bookings and at the new price structure we are on the fence as to whether the YC is a good value.  We will hold our final opinion until our upcoming Seaside cruise (in the YC).  But if MSC is going to increase prices and also increase nickel and diming, there are other more attractive options (at least for us).

 

Hank

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

48 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

MSC does seem to make some strange decisions when it comes to the YC.  When we were on the Divina our Concierge told us that Gelato was no longer included as a YC benefit.  One day we stopped at the poolside Gelato place and two servers actually argued with each other whether we needed to pay.  In the end they did not swipe our cards.  One of our concierges actually apologized to us about the policy (or lack thereof).  Another strange YC issue is with pizza which is offered free if you order from Room Service.  But if you go to the pizza place and get the same pizza you must pay.  

 

When it comes to the YC, MSC should simply include everything.  The few extra dollars they get from nickel and diming just serves to annoy passengers and is not a major revenue enhancer.  Speaking of the YC, we noticed that MSC has increased the cost of the YC (in the Caribbean) by about 20% for next year's cruises.  This actually caused us to NOT book a 14 day MSC cruise as we could actually book a much more interesting (and longer) itinerary on Oceania for about the same price.  We generally look for "value" with our bookings and at the new price structure we are on the fence as to whether the YC is a good value.  We will hold our final opinion until our upcoming Seaside cruise (in the YC).  But if MSC is going to increase prices and also increase nickel and diming, there are other more attractive options (at least for us).

 

Hank

 

I've never been charged for gelato or pizza at either of those venues on the Seaside.  The YC wristband took care of it.  They do swipe your wristband, but you are not charged.

[Hlitner]

1 minute ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

 

I've never been charged for gelato or pizza at either of those venues on the Seaside.  The YC wristband took care of it.  They do swipe your wristband, but you are not charged.

Guess we shall see :).   The reality is that we get a very generous OBC because we book through a decent cruise agency.  Since we do not take excursions (we either stay on the ship or do our own thing ashore) there is no good way to spend our OBC...so if we have to pay for gelato it is not a hardship.  Last year (Divina) we found ourselves with hundreds of dollars of OBC on the final sea day of our cruise.  I asked the Concierge about getting the unused OBC refunded and she told us that MSC does not refund OBCs.  Her advice was to spend it.  But DW had seen nothing in the shops that got her interest so out of desperation I went to Casino and withdrew the OBC in chips.  Less then an hour later I had doubled that OBC (at the Blackjack table) so cashed out (take the money and run).  At the time I thought it was pretty funny as MSC would have saved money by simply refunding the OBC.  We will likely have the same issue on the Seaside.

 

Hank

[rkacruiser]

3 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Last year (Divina) we found ourselves with hundreds of dollars of OBC on the final sea day of our cruise.  I asked the Concierge about getting the unused OBC refunded and she told us that MSC does not refund OBCs.  Her advice was to spend it.  But DW had seen nothing in the shops that got her interest so out of desperation I went to Casino and withdrew the OBC in chips.  Less then an hour later I had doubled that OBC (at the Blackjack table) so cashed out (take the money and run).  At the time I thought it was pretty funny as MSC would have saved money by simply refunding the OBC.  We will likely have the same issue on the Seaside.

 

Hank

 

👍  Your post made me smile!  (Could you supply 5 numbers I ought to play in Ohio Lottery's Buckeye 5 game since you had such good luck?)😀

[rkacruiser]

4 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Another strange YC issue is with pizza which is offered free if you order from Room Service.  But if you go to the pizza place and get the same pizza you must pay.  

 

The pizza that I ate outside YC were slices; I was just another guest as far as the staff was concerned.  Are you saying that if you ordered a whole pie outside of YC you were charged?  

[BermudaBound2014]

10 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

The pizza that I ate outside YC were slices; I was just another guest as far as the staff was concerned.  Are you saying that if you ordered a whole pie outside of YC you were charged?  

 

I believe hlitner was on Divina which has a separate ala' carte pizza restaurant/bar. I can attest that the pizza shop on Divina will charge you from the ala' carte pizza place (even if in YC), but you can have an entire pie delivered for free to your room. Just don't ask for any changes to the set menu for the pizza's because our concerige regretfully informed us it was 'not possible' to get mushrooms on the pizza :).

[Hlitner]

8 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

The pizza that I ate outside YC were slices; I was just another guest as far as the staff was concerned.  Are you saying that if you ordered a whole pie outside of YC you were charged?  

When we went on the Divina, there was an Italian restaurant/pizza place called the Eataly where they made the really good pizza.  The Eataly was only open in the evening and those in the YC could order pizza (during those open hours) from the Eataly and it was delivered to the cabin free of charge.  But, if we went to Eataly and wanted to order the same pizza we would be charged. When I asked our Concierge about the policy she simply shook her head, admitted it made little sense, but it was the policy.  There was also a pretty decent selection of pizza in the Lido buffet where they had pizza from breakfast until closing in the evening.  That pizza was free for everyone on the ship.

 

Hank

[phissy]

4 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Speaking of the YC, we noticed that MSC has increased the cost of the YC (in the Caribbean) by about 20% for next year's cruises.  This actually caused us to NOT book a 14 day .  We generally look for "value" with our bookings and at the new price structure we are on the fence as to whether the YC is a good value.  

 

Hank

 When MSC  started offering FCC for 125% for cancelled cruises, We realized that prices would probably go way up next year.  FCC have to be used by end of 2021.  The cruise we booked for November 2021 has increased $2,000. (YC deluxe cabin )

[Hlitner]

4 minutes ago, phissy said:

 When MSC  started offering FCC for 125% for cancelled cruises, We realized that prices would probably go way up next year.  FCC have to be used by end of 2021.  The cruise we booked for November 2021 has increased $2,000. (YC deluxe cabin )

We have posted about this phenomenon on some other threads.  Just about all the cruise lines that have been liberally giving out FCCs have been increasing prices during the time period that the FCCs must be used.  IMHO it is a complete con!  The cruise lines have done everything possible to dissuade folks from asking for their money back....by trying to convince them they can do much better for a FCC.  But, as others have pointed out, a FCC is very limiting (just like an airline voucher) because it ties you to a single cruise line and limits the time you can use that FCC.  If you get a full refund it allows you to shop around all cruise lines and also look at land options...or not travel at all!   There is another issue with FCC.  What if that particular cruise line goes bankrupt?  Since you had agreed to a FCC you would have voluntarily given up your rights for a credit card charge back.  And Federal Law (in the USA) does not protect you with FCCs the way it does with a credit card issue.  In a bankruptcy the FCC holders would have to get in line with all the other creditors and hope for something....anything!

 

Hank 

[phissy]

This is why we requested a refund for our cancelled cruise in April.  (And booked right away for next year)

we realized that once FCC was applied to a cruise, it could not be transferred to a different cruise.  We are still not sure how things will play out next year and with hurricane season going until November.(Caribbean)   So, we put deposits on 3 cruises for next October /November.

Our travel agent said he can transfer deposits from cruises we decide not to take to the one we keep.  With voucher, we would have no  flexibility.

[rkacruiser]

2 hours ago, Hlitner said:

When we went on the Divina, there was an Italian restaurant/pizza place called the Eataly where they made the really good pizza.  The Eataly was only open in the evening and those in the YC could order pizza (during those open hours) from the Eataly and it was delivered to the cabin free of charge.  But, if we went to Eataly and wanted to order the same pizza we would be charged. When I asked our Concierge about the policy she simply shook her head, admitted it made little sense, but it was the policy.  There was also a pretty decent selection of pizza in the Lido buffet where they had pizza from breakfast until closing in the evening.  That pizza was free for everyone on the ship.

 

Hank

 

I appreciate the explanation.  Thank you.  Their policy does make no sense at all.   

[Hlitner]

5 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

👍  Your post made me smile!  (Could you supply 5 numbers I ought to play in Ohio Lottery's Buckeye 5 game since you had such good luck?)😀

ROFL.  I have somehow managed to never win 1 penny in any lottery!   My Blackjack and Craps playing is adequate to generally keep loses to a minimum.  But doubling money in less then an hour is certainly not my norm which is what made it all such a funny experience.  My plan was to play for about an hour and try not to lose everything.  I had nothing to lose (we were going to lose all that OBC anyway) and it seemed like a good idea at the time :).  The truth is that I prefer to avoid MSC casinos since they tend to stink from cigarette smoke (even though there is no smoking near the tables).  

 

Hank

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

"The Eataly was only open in the evening and those in the YC could order pizza (during those open hours) from the Eataly and it was delivered to the cabin free of charge.  But, if we went to Eataly and wanted to order the same pizza we would be charged. When I asked our Concierge about the policy she simply shook her head, admitted it made little sense, but it was the policy."

 

I so love this statement.  It is so MSC.  On Seaside, we could order pizza delivered to our suite (at no charge), but not to the pool deck.  Whatever.  We then just took the box up to the pool deck.  Yacht Club gets a lot of things very right.  And then they drop the ball here and there.  

[KnoxRunner]

19 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Guess we shall see :).   The reality is that we get a very generous OBC because we book through a decent cruise agency.  Since we do not take excursions (we either stay on the ship or do our own thing ashore) there is no good way to spend our OBC...so if we have to pay for gelato it is not a hardship.  Last year (Divina) we found ourselves with hundreds of dollars of OBC on the final sea day of our cruise.  I asked the Concierge about getting the unused OBC refunded and she told us that MSC does not refund OBCs.  Her advice was to spend it.  But DW had seen nothing in the shops that got her interest so out of desperation I went to Casino and withdrew the OBC in chips.  Less then an hour later I had doubled that OBC (at the Blackjack table) so cashed out (take the money and run).  At the time I thought it was pretty funny as MSC would have saved money by simply refunding the OBC.  We will likely have the same issue on the Seaside.

 

Hank

 

Hank,

 

I am looking for a decent travel agent to use with MSC, the one I normally use doesn't like dealing with them and I can't say that I blame them. 

 

Would it be possible for you to get me the contact information for your travel agent?

 

Thanks,

 

William

[Hlitner]

1 hour ago, KnoxRunner said:

 

Hank,

 

I am looking for a decent travel agent to use with MSC, the one I normally use doesn't like dealing with them and I can't say that I blame them. 

 

Would it be possible for you to get me the contact information for your travel agent?

 

Thanks,

 

William

LOL, I am not sure the agency I use to handle MSC would even appreciate a referral for a MSC booking and besides, we cannot post cruise/travel agency info here on CC.  We spoke to an excellent cruise agent, while on a HAL cruise, and ask her why her agency would not handle bookings for MSC.  She rolled her eyes and said the hassles and complaints were just not worth it.  The problem with MSC seems to be their US Customer Service which is awful for both consumers and travel professionals.   I suspect that MSC will improve their US customer service as they increase their US footprint...assuming that they do not get wiped out by this COVID-19 stuff.  Although we are always shopping around we generally deal with 3 different cruise agencies only one of which will handle MSC.  

 

If you simply do a google search for "cruise discounters" you will find quite a few high volume agencies that handle MSC bookings.  It is just a matter of shopping around among a few of these agencies to see who will give you the most generous OBCs.  With MSC I would be looking for at least 5% (7-10 might be possible) of the base cruise fare as a guideline.

 

Hank

[KnoxRunner]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

LOL, I am not sure the agency I use to handle MSC would even appreciate a referral for a MSC booking and besides, we cannot post cruise/travel agency info here on CC.  We spoke to an excellent cruise agent, while on a HAL cruise, and ask her why her agency would not handle bookings for MSC.  She rolled her eyes and said the hassles and complaints were just not worth it.  The problem with MSC seems to be their US Customer Service which is awful for both consumers and travel professionals.   I suspect that MSC will improve their US customer service as they increase their US footprint...assuming that they do not get wiped out by this COVID-19 stuff.  Although we are always shopping around we generally deal with 3 different cruise agencies only one of which will handle MSC.  

 

If you simply do a google search for "cruise discounters" you will find quite a few high volume agencies that handle MSC bookings.  It is just a matter of shopping around among a few of these agencies to see who will give you the most generous OBCs.  With MSC I would be looking for at least 5% (7-10 might be possible) of the base cruise fare as a guideline.

 

Hank

 

Thanks Hank,

 

I understand the policy for not allowing referrals of travel agents... the boards would be nothing but digital billboards.

Just curious about the 5% you mention, would that be in addition to the 5% for the Voyagers Club?

 

Appreciate the help!

William

[Hlitner]

1 hour ago, KnoxRunner said:

 

Thanks Hank,

 

I understand the policy for not allowing referrals of travel agents... the boards would be nothing but digital billboards.

Just curious about the 5% you mention, would that be in addition to the 5% for the Voyagers Club?

 

Appreciate the help!

William

Yes but in a different way.  We get 5% off the cruise price as a Voyagers Club discount and that is available no matter where you book.  But I am talking about an additional On Board Credit (OBC) which is a pretty normal thing when you book through many discount cruise/travel agencies.  Sometimes you can get more than 5% and I only mentioned that amount as kind of a minimum.  Since we book 2-3 weeks in the YC those OBCs amount to hundreds of dollars.  Those who book a lower cost cabins would get less OBC although the percentage is probably going to be about the same.  We normally expect 7-10% when we book with most cruise lines, but with MSC the higher percentages are more of a challenge to find.    I just looked at an upcoming MSC cruise booking and we actually got approximately 11% which was pre-paid gratuities plus a nice OBC.

 

Hank

[Debde]

Back to the TV:

MSC-If you are reading-please include pay per view in the YC. I found limited channels in English so pay per view included-like NCL would be a nice touch!! 📺

[phissy]

I second that motion by Debde.    Or, increase TV choices when sailing out of US ports.

[rkacruiser]

16 hours ago, Happy Cruiser 6143 said:

Yacht Club gets a lot of things very right.  And then they drop the ball here and there.  

 

My impression is that "its a work in progress".  

 

If they are able to get increased penetration into the North American cruise market, they will improve in their understanding as to the expectations of those guests as to their guests from abroad.  Inside or outside of YC, MSC has a very good cruise product.  Appropriate tweaking of the business model seems to me to be a good idea.