MSC Divina Change from 3 day to 7 day

[Native Floridian 26]

11 minutes ago, LadySpoilt said:

For those of us that are in the non-salsa group.  The video is from a previous Salsa Cruise.  It is used in their advertising for this Davina cruise.

https://www.facebook.com/SalsacruiseCom/videos/835664933997205/

Interesting how if you book through Salsacruise.com, the port charges are $250.  They are only $98 when booking on MSC.  They (salsacruise) even make money on those!

[mscdivina2016]

31 minutes ago, LadySpoilt said:

For those of us that are in the non-salsa group.  The video is from a previous Salsa Cruise.  It is used in their advertising for this Davina cruise.

https://www.facebook.com/SalsacruiseCom/videos/835664933997205/

I can say for certain that if our cruise even remotely looks like that, I will have a major problem with a material misrepresentation of the cruise. They did not book the whole ship so they don't get to do what they want especially on the private island.

Steve

[rbpd1176]

Well I guess I should ask...anyone else booked in YC 16027 for the Oct 24-31 cruise?
 

[Anded]

So....do we think they will be offering to move us non-Charter folks?   I also got a great price for the room, but believe I would prefer to be on a cruise without the Charter.  But I don't want to jump too early and move myself if I can get an equivalent.

 

That being said, I was on the Meraviglia last week with only 700 people so admittedly somewhat spoiled with the peace and quiet. 🙂  

[Speasda]

1 hour ago, Anded said:

So....do we think they will be offering to move us non-Charter folks?   I also got a great price for the room, but believe I would prefer to be on a cruise without the Charter.  But I don't want to jump too early and move myself if I can get an equivalent.

 

That being said, I was on the Meraviglia last week with only 700 people so admittedly somewhat spoiled with the peace and quiet. 🙂  

That's my question to.  I would even be willing to upgrade to YC since it so cheap and I think that would minimize the issues with charter.  

 

I called MSC last night and the agent seemed very confused why I would want to spend "so much money" since I had such a great price.  I just politely said thanks and would call back.  No point in dealing with "Natalie" any longer.

 

My issue is I can't reschedule with school and work events so going in the future is not easy and I need to use vacation days in 2021.  I really don't want to do this, but I may have to take FCC that may never get used and move over to RCCL since this boat is going to be relatively full.  Don't love that.

 

[Morgsmom]

15 hours ago, mscdivina2016 said:

I can say for certain that if our cruise even remotely looks like that, I will have a major problem with a material misrepresentation of the cruise. They did not book the whole ship so they don't get to do what they want especially on the private island.

Steve

WOW!!! I just watched that video. IT does look like the group takes over everything!  

[mscdivina2016]

41 minutes ago, Morgsmom said:

WOW!!! I just watched that video. IT does look like the group takes over everything!  

Hopefully just a hype video.  I also wonder with social distancing how it will actually be. They will need masks.

We can email the CDC live video. Lol.

Steve

 

 

 

[Gatordad1967]

Salsa is not my thing, so I am out.

 

[mlbdude]

I guess this goes both ways.  The Salsa Cruise people were probably expecting a full charter.  Now they have to share the ship with who knows how many.  Not an ideal situation for anyone.

[mscdivina2016]

26 minutes ago, mlbdude said:

I guess this goes both ways.  The Salsa Cruise people were probably expecting a full charter.  Now they have to share the ship with who knows how many.  Not an ideal situation for anyone.

 I don't know how they are going to do this??

As long as there is minimal disruption its not a big deal.  With out a full charter they could be very limited. I was once part of a group dance cruise on an MSC ship and there were many restrictions. I need to find that paperwork but I am at my beach house and will not be home till 2nd week of October.

 

 The biggest point was we only had access to certain private areas during the day. We were not allowed to take over the main venues at night so as not to interfere with normal ship programs.

 I can see them using the Black and white lounge and the Golden lounge during the day. The pool deck at night is probably their only option. I still don't see how they will control who is in or out.

 

 I wonder how big they really are? 

I wonder how the contract between Salsa and MSC was drafted?  Who has the upper hand here?

 

Steve

[Gatordad1967]

and MSC should let people know it is a charter of Salsa.  We almost booked on that cruise, and would have been blindsided.

 

 

[Lisichka]

Sometimes chartered cruises almost have no real presence or interference with daily normal schedules.  I remember a friend of mine booked a cruise after her husband filed for divorce because he admitted he was gay.  About 3 weeks before her cruise I found out her cruise had been partially chartered by an LGBTQ organization and I hurried and warned her.  Not a good situation in her case.  She was unable to cancel and went anyway.  She told me it was absolutely a non-issue and she had a fabulous time.

Edited September 15, 2021 by Lisichka

[herr40]

We originally booked a 4 day. We cannot do a 7 day. Anyone received ANY communication from MSC?  If so would you be willing to share? Any options for canceling and refunds?

 

[mscdivina2016]

12 minutes ago, herr40 said:

We originally booked a 4 day. We cannot do a 7 day. Anyone received ANY communication from MSC?  If so would you be willing to share? Any options for canceling and refunds?

 

Just a phone call.

You booked a 4, it's no longer available so they cannot provide what your contract with them provided.

Refund!!

Don't let them talk you into FCC.

 

Steve

[racephoto]

One option that they could do, and it might be the best solution for them, would be to reinstate the two sailings that they initially sold. (10/24-28 & 10/28-31) Then tell the salsa people, guess what, your seven day cruise now includes a stop in Miami, and no stop in Jamaica or Grand Cayman. And change the bookings for those who booked the 7 day to the B2B.  That would solve the issues for everyone who has airfare and hotels booked on the basis of booking either a 3, 4 or 7 night cruise. It would disappoint those who booked the seven day, but they weren’t going to Grand Cayman no matter what. It seems like the solution that would be the best for most of the people. It’s not going to be ideal for all, and it definitely doesn’t address the issue of double and triple booked cabins, but at least people aren’t paying airfare and hotel penalties. I personally don’t WANT to be on a music festival/booze cruise, but those people also paid for cabins and booked air and hotel in good faith. This is just my theory of what I would do, nothing else. Just idle thoughts.  (This also leaves out the question of whether or not the salsa people have an ironclad full ship charter contract, because we just don’t know.)

[mscdivina2016]

11 minutes ago, racephoto said:

One option that they could do, and it might be the best solution for them, would be to reinstate the two sailings that they initially sold. (10/24-28 & 10/28-31) Then tell the salsa people, guess what, your seven day cruise now includes a stop in Miami, and no stop in Jamaica or Grand Cayman. And change the bookings for those who booked the 7 day to the B2B.  That would solve the issues for everyone who has airfare and hotels booked on the basis of booking either a 3, 4 or 7 night cruise. It would disappoint those who booked the seven day, but they weren’t going to Grand Cayman no matter what. It seems like the solution that would be the best for most of the people. It’s not going to be ideal for all, and it definitely doesn’t address the issue of double and triple booked cabins, but at least people aren’t paying airfare and hotel penalties. I personally don’t WANT to be on a music festival/booze cruise, but those people also paid for cabins and booked air and hotel in good faith. This is just my theory of what I would do, nothing else. Just idle thoughts.  (This also leaves out the question of whether or not the salsa people have an ironclad full ship charter contract, because we just don’t know.)

All I care about is Jamaica.

I would not want that Nassau Freeport, repeat cruise. Not what they sold.me 10 days ago.

 

Iron clad?  If it was, they would not be selling 7 day cruises.

 I have no problem getting off at the first port and flying home and taking them on for a material misrepresentation.

I think the salsa is screwed.

Steve

[racephoto]

36 minutes ago, mscdivina2016 said:

All I care about is Jamaica.

I would not want that Nassau Freeport, repeat cruise. Not what they sold.me 10 days ago.

 

Iron clad?  If it was, they would not be selling 7 day cruises.

 I have no problem getting off at the first port and flying home and taking them on for a material misrepresentation.

I think the salsa is screwed.

Steve

 

That’s great. I’d venture to say that 99.9% of the people caught up in this fiasco don’t want to go the litigation route. I think most of them just want the cruise THEY paid for, and the vast majority of them booked when it was 4+3.

As far as Jamaica goes? Yeah, sounds awesome. 
https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/tight-controls-for-cruise-ship-visit_231227?profile=1373 

[LadySpoilt]

Since I too booked 10 or so days ago, the 3/4 day cruises is an option I would hate.  We had that happen to us last year when our 11 day turned into a 7 day and a 4 day.  Basically you missed an entire day.  No you don't have to go completely through the line again, but you do have to gather in the YC lounge and then be escorted down the stairs and around and around before you are brought back up.  Don't remember the particulars but the whole process took 2 or more hours.We were stuck in a crowded hot hallway for an hour.  Needless to say tempers were wearing thin.  Also everything is closed down and doesn't reopen till you are 5 miles out to sea.

 

[mlbdude]

What are our options if we don’t want part of this anymore?  FCC?  I assume refund is out this close to sail.

[racephoto]

17 minutes ago, mlbdude said:

What are our options if we don’t want part of this anymore?  FCC?  I assume refund is out this close to sail.

If you don’t need the money back right away and you don’t really want FCC, just wait a little bit yet. You can cancel three days before with the total cruiseflex and get the same FCC that you would get now. And in the interim, at some point they’re actually going to figure out what they’re doing and they may cancel you (whichever flavor of this cruise you’re booked on) and then you can get a refund.

Edited September 16, 2021 by racephoto
Typo

[mscdivina2016]

1 hour ago, racephoto said:

 

That’s great. I’d venture to say that 99.9% of the people caught up in this fiasco don’t want to go the litigation route. I think most of them just want the cruise THEY paid for, and the vast majority of them booked when it was 4+3.

As far as Jamaica goes? Yeah, sounds awesome. 
https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/tight-controls-for-cruise-ship-visit_231227?profile=1373 

We actually have a custom carving at the craft market waiting for us. Yes it's in the safe zone.

Steve

[mscdivina2016]

38 minutes ago, mlbdude said:

What are our options if we don’t want part of this anymore?  FCC?  I assume refund is out this close to sail.

If you booked 3 or 4 night then full refund. 

If 7 night then FCC 

Steve

[mscdivina2016]

1 hour ago, LadySpoilt said:

Since I too booked 10 or so days ago, the 3/4 day cruises is an option I would hate.  We had that happen to us last year when our 11 day turned into a 7 day and a 4 day.  Basically you missed an entire day.  No you don't have to go completely through the line again, but you do have to gather in the YC lounge and then be escorted down the stairs and around and around before you are brought back up.  Don't remember the particulars but the whole process took 2 or more hours.We were stuck in a crowded hot hallway for an hour.  Needless to say tempers were wearing thin.  Also everything is closed down and doesn't reopen till you are 5 miles out to sea.

 

How did that come about? 11 to 7&4?

Did your ports change? 

Steve

[racephoto]

3 hours ago, LadySpoilt said:

Since I too booked 10 or so days ago, the 3/4 day cruises is an option I would hate.  We had that happen to us last year when our 11 day turned into a 7 day and a 4 day.  Basically you missed an entire day.  No you don't have to go completely through the line again, but you do have to gather in the YC lounge and then be escorted down the stairs and around and around before you are brought back up.  Don't remember the particulars but the whole process took 2 or more hours.We were stuck in a crowded hot hallway for an hour.  Needless to say tempers were wearing thin.  Also everything is closed down and doesn't reopen till you are 5 miles out to sea.

 

Yeah, I wouldn’t be happy with it either. However, we would just be a little unhappy. Many of the people who booked the 3 and 4 day cruises over the past 6 months or so that they were selling them that way may be out hundreds of dollars in airfare and hotel change fees. Some will lose out on their vacation time. I’d put up with a little less wonderful of an an experience, especially considering I paid less than $500 for a solo balcony for a week, so everyone can cruise. But that’s just me. 

[mscdivina2016]

39 minutes ago, racephoto said:

Many of the people who booked the 3 and 4 day cruises over the past 6 months or so that they were selling them that way may be out hundreds of dollars in airfare and hotel change fees. 

Thankfully travel.insurance will cover that. If they have not received anything from MSC yet they still can purchase it.

 

I will be curious to see how all of this actually plays out, or how I can play it.

 We actually are dancers so we may get a dance cruise but it was not what we wanted. A nice easy quiet week was the priority.