Omicron - anyone canceling an upcoming cruise?

[Isasprings]

On 12/31/2021 at 8:24 AM, Fogfog said:

We won't be cancelling and look fwd to being on board

 

Am worried that if they cancel on us-- and we have B2B2B2B (as they were several short sailings strung together--all YC)

And three of those were from previous FCC ...

It will be an administrative mess.

 

So a lot of $ on the table here...Yes some of it is with a credit card with 10k pp insurance-- however much was FCC from previously cancelled 2020 and 2021 sailings...

 

Fingers crossed.

 

 

I am not canceling either just moving my February Divina cruise 3 days to a 7 days on the same month.

I have the 3 shots my daughter on Christmas gots covid omicron with a very high fever I took care of her sometimes I forgot to wear a mask because I was too nervous.

she is also vaccinated she recovers in 5 days after that she went back to the hospital (she works in healthcare). My husband and I was waiting for any symptoms but we were fine.

after 1 week of waiting got tested  with negative results. From Sept to Dec2021 we been in 3 carnival cruises and 1land vacations.

Isa

[alohayall]

Yep.  Rebooked Jan 16 Meraviglia yesterday to sail Seashore in a October. Still wondering if I should have held out for MSC to cancel cruise.  I’m not a gambler, so I couldn’t handle to wait and wonder.  We got a decent rate with the 15+5 and the New Year’s sale.  … Still so much cheaper than Disney!

[dznymom]

I think everyone has to do their own personal risk assessment and act accordingly.  I travel solo and drive to the port, which are factors in my decision making.

 

I canceled my Jan 23rd 7 night cruise and rebooked a 4 nighter at the end of Feb.  I am not terribly concerned about getting the virus but I find the risk of being quarantined is not a risk I am willing to take on a 7 nighter.  I  know myself, and I would also be very disappointed if ports were cancelled & that is a gamble right now.  So rebooking a shorter cruise a few weeks later gives me more time to assess the situation.  The odds of being turned away from Ocean Cay are lower, and that is the only port I care about on that sailing. I could deal with being quarantined on a shorter cruise.  So unless things change significantly for the worse, I will be proceeding with that cruise.  

 

That was my thinking.  Each of you have different considerations, and I wish everyone the best dealing with this dilemma.  Stay safe and healthy!

[Fogfog]

18 hours ago, Isasprings said:

I am not canceling either just moving my February Divina cruise 3 days to a 7 days on the same month.

I have the 3 shots my daughter on Christmas gots covid omicron with a very high fever I took care of her sometimes I forgot to wear a mask because I was too nervous.

she is also vaccinated she recovers in 5 days after that she went back to the hospital (she works in healthcare). My husband and I was waiting for any symptoms but we were fine.

after 1 week of waiting got tested  with negative results. From Sept to Dec2021 we been in 3 carnival cruises and 1land vacations.

Isa

Really looking fwd to sailing

Have started piling things on the guest bed.

 

[morpheusofthesea]

We are going again in February on MSC Seashore YC. It will be our 7th cruise since July. But the difference is we drive and park at the port. We do not go on a cruise to socialize and make new friends. We have not worn masks until the last 3 days on the Equinox last week. We social distanced ourselves in the restaurant (maitre d' was very understanding and accommodating). We social distance ourselves in the theatre. We did not join in crowded tables in the casino or bars. We did dance in the atrium before each dinner. So far so good. Our fear is not so much contracting the virus as testing positive for a long period of time (reading up to 6 months) and not being able to get back on a cruise ship for that long a time.

 Remember reading when the Seaside first launched. "Would have had a better time in my garage" was one poster's remark. Captain announced things will be better and within a couple of months things were great. We mentioned the bad reviews to our butler, who agreed. The famous, much loved Vishnu, who said everyone on board needed time to become a team. We are hoping this is still the case with the Seashore and now add in covid to the mix with a frightened staff not boostered. Hope to report my "Observations From the Poop Deck" next month from Seashore YC.

[FrostyJoe]

On 1/7/2022 at 4:54 PM, jamesboat said:

So uh, whats the best way to get a full refund as someone without insurance who may have covid? Wont get my test back until tomorrow, sailing on 16th

 

It looks like the 14 day refund thing is nothing new.  Difference now is they advertise it on the website instead of being buried in legal terms.  In looking at the contract from back in November, and i quote:

 

Passenger agrees that if at any time within fourteen (14) days prior to embarkation, Passenger tests
positive for COVID-19, exhibit signs or symptoms of COVID-19, has had close contact with a
person confirmed or suspected as having COVID-19, or the Carrier otherwise determines, in its
sole discretion, that Passenger is unfit to board because of any communicable illness, the Carrier
will deny boarding to such Passenger as well as members of Passenger’s traveling party. Under
these circumstances, unless the Carrier determines that the Passenger has failed to comply with the
Carrier’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures or these Booking Terms and Conditions, any
Passenger denied boarding will be entitled to a refund or future cruise credit equal in value to the
amount Passenger paid to the Carrier, subject to Passenger providing verification satisfactory to the
Carrier of results of tests administered by providers other than those retained by the Carrier. Under
no circumstances shall the Carrier have any other liability for any compensation or other damages
whatsoever including, but not limited to, compensation for lodging or travel.

 

It looks like even having a close contact within 14 days and letting them know  = full refund.
 

[seapad]

On 1/8/2022 at 12:49 PM, morpheusofthesea said:

We are going again in February on MSC Seashore YC. It will be our 7th cruise since July. But the difference is we drive and park at the port. We do not go on a cruise to socialize and make new friends. We have not worn masks until the last 3 days on the Equinox last week. We social distanced ourselves in the restaurant (maitre d' was very understanding and accommodating). We social distance ourselves in the theatre. We did not join in crowded tables in the casino or bars. We did dance in the atrium before each dinner. So far so good. Our fear is not so much contracting the virus as testing positive for a long period of time (reading up to 6 months) and not being able to get back on a cruise ship for that long a time.

 Remember reading when the Seaside first launched. "Would have had a better time in my garage" was one poster's remark. Captain announced things will be better and within a couple of months things were great. We mentioned the bad reviews to our butler, who agreed. The famous, much loved Vishnu, who said everyone on board needed time to become a team. We are hoping this is still the case with the Seashore and now add in covid to the mix with a frightened staff not boostered. Hope to report my "Observations From the Poop Deck" next month from Seashore YC.

Definitely looking forward to your Feb trip report 🙂 

[cheeseheads4ever]

Well our call to an MSC rep led to disappointment today. We were very nice with the rep hoping to be offered something other than a flex change. Not that we are ungrateful but our original cruise price was $562 for a 3 night cruise Jan 20th. We got a good deal. Received $40 ship board credit and in gold matching status. (3) $50 OBC, Easy plus drink Pkg and WIFI.

My disappointment is we can’t go during hurricane season which runs into November so anything September and beyond going as far as April 2023 prices have doubled and no perks at all.

So this same cruise is almost $1100 with no perks. She said she couldn’t do anything about it. We requested to talk to a supervisor and she said a supervisor would contact us within 48 hours.

We will see. We could move to September then maybe flex move again but who knows if that will fly. Yes our fault for not getting insurance. Not sure if anyone has any suggestions? This was to be our first time on MSC. There just seems like they are not willing to help. Oh yeah cancellation charges are $362 if we cancel.

Not sure what other options we would have other than to flex. 

 

 

[pghflyer]

sorry things didn't work for you guys, but honestly, MSC's flexibility is MUCH better than some of the other lines - ex. NCL.  I don't think it is reasonable to expect that customers can choose any changed date / itinerary they want and keep the price and perks. No travel provider works that way, you always get the fare available.

[FrostyJoe]

30 minutes ago, pghflyer said:

sorry things didn't work for you guys, but honestly, MSC's flexibility is MUCH better than some of the other lines - ex. NCL.  I don't think it is reasonable to expect that customers can choose any changed date / itinerary they want and keep the price and perks. No travel provider works that way, you always get the fare available.

@cheeseheads4everCorrect me if I’m wrong, but the way I read the contract of carriage, if you’re denied boarding based on Covid reason and you followed the Covid policies, MSC will refund you. 
 

Take a look at the contract here: https://www.msccruisesusa.com/terms-conditions

 

and specifically: “ Under these circumstances, unless the Carrier determines that the Passenger has failed to comply with the Carrier’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures or these Booking Terms and Conditions, any Passenger denied boarding will be entitled to a refund or future cruise credit equal in value to the amount Passenger paid to the Carrier, subject to Passenger providing verification satisfactory to the Carrier of results of tests administered by providers other than those retained by the Carrier.”

 

My reading of it is that if they deny you boarding because of a close contract, they’ll refund u the money provided you show them the test of the close contact. I guess that’s to get around the fact anyone going to any store anywhere in the USA is really going into suspect Covid zone….

 

obviously if you have to fly into port this is prob too PIA

Edited January 10, 2022 by FrostyJoe

[cheeseheads4ever]

But double the price and no perks. I know they can charge what they want just seems unfair when they know people are trying to move out their cruises.. but yes my error no insurance.

Before We make a decision. I need to know if I book to April in fantastical can we move out again. It does say you have one change…

[FrostyJoe]

35 minutes ago, cheeseheads4ever said:

But double the price and no perks. I know they can charge what they want just seems unfair when they know people are trying to move out their cruises.. but yes my error no insurance.

Before We make a decision. I need to know if I book to April in fantastical can we move out again. It does say you have one change…

 

Do you have ANY of these situations?  If you live in FL and show up and you mark down yes (and I suppose have some sort of a proof) to these questionares on your ticket---they WILL deny you boarding.

 

Passenger agrees that if at any time within fourteen (14) days prior to embarkation, Passenger tests positive for COVID-19, exhibit signs or symptoms of COVID-19, has had close contact with a person confirmed or suspected as having COVID-19, or the Carrier otherwise determines, in its sole discretion, that Passenger is unfit to board because of any communicable illness, the Carrier will deny boarding to such Passenger as well as members of Passenger’s traveling party.

 

But the contract is clear that as long as you followed the policies, they WILL refund you the money.....and I quote MSC's contract:

 

 "...unless the Carrier determines that the Passenger has failed to comply with the Carrier’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Measures or these Booking Terms and Conditions, any Passenger denied boarding will be entitled to a refund or future cruise credit equal in value to the amount Passenger paid to the Carrier"

 

It's clear to me that they'll give you a refund OR FSC....question is---trying to get MSC abide and honor their own contract, should you have any of those refundable condition(s)

 

I'm not a lawyer but just plains ole person putting in my two cents....take it for what its worth...

 

Wish you the best of luck....MSC telephone people seems pretty nice for the most part, but its plainly obvious to me that MSC does not give their US front line phone reps any power to make any sort of non-routine changes....and I never had a chance to actually speak to a supervisor.  And it appears that MSC rep themselves can't speak to a supervisor--and only chat with them on the computer...

[mscdivina2016]

5 hours ago, cheeseheads4ever said:

But double the price and no perks. I know they can charge what they want just seems unfair when they know people are trying to move out their cruises.. but yes my error no insurance.

Before We make a decision. I need to know if I book to April in fantastical can we move out again. It does say you have one change…

That's a roll of the dice.

Move it to a March cruise so you come under piece of mind then at least 48 hours before , move it.

[Fogfog]

@cheeseheads4ever

So sorry about the changes and loss of OBC etc

We had that too-- had some 800 + in OBC and part of it was MSC for changing departure dates etc.

When MSC had to cancel the sailings-- while we got the 125% FCC.. of course the fares have gone up 25%... and we lost on our B2Bs in excess of 1K OBC total.. hated that.

Fares have gone up across all lines and they aren't giving away any perks due to the billions the industry lost, the changes in ventilation/dining and testing etc.

Cruise industry got hit harder than land based resorts which is both unfortunate and absurd.

 

Hope you are able to rebook and enjoy your vacation

 

[jamesboat]

Looking to change the cruise but just realized that during my next window (April), two of the four ships MSC has in the Caribbean will be back in Europe.

 

Crap.

[styles27]

19 hours ago, cheeseheads4ever said:

Well our call to an MSC rep led to disappointment today. We were very nice with the rep hoping to be offered something other than a flex change. Not that we are ungrateful but our original cruise price was $562 for a 3 night cruise Jan 20th. We got a good deal. Received $40 ship board credit and in gold matching status. (3) $50 OBC, Easy plus drink Pkg and WIFI.

My disappointment is we can’t go during hurricane season which runs into November so anything September and beyond going as far as April 2023 prices have doubled and no perks at all.

So this same cruise is almost $1100 with no perks. She said she couldn’t do anything about it. We requested to talk to a supervisor and she said a supervisor would contact us within 48 hours.

We will see. We could move to September then maybe flex move again but who knows if that will fly. Yes our fault for not getting insurance. Not sure if anyone has any suggestions? This was to be our first time on MSC. There just seems like they are not willing to help. Oh yeah cancellation charges are $362 if we cancel.

Not sure what other options we would have other than to flex. 

 

 

That’s strange. We moved Jan 8th Seashore to Nov 12th Seashore and received 2 OBC’s and all in WiFi and Easy plus drinks. It was a couple hundred dollars more than our Jan cruise but that was because the ports were different (Nov ports had higher charges than Jan ports)

 

What date are you looking for? I see the all in option available and pretty good pricing. 

[cheeseheads4ever]

Thanks! we are looking for April or Nov 2022. Feb,  March or April 2023.

we are only doing a 3 nighter could do 4 night if we had to. We had the original cruise for $562 which included $40 shipboard credit due to status match and (3) $50 OBC, Easy plus drink pkg and WIFI.

My question is  if we move the current cruise to a later date can we again move that cruise again if we need to? 

Any help would be appreciated..Thank you!

[FrostyJoe]

Just now, cheeseheads4ever said:

Thanks! we are looking for April or Nov 2022. Feb,  March or April 2023.

we are only doing a 3 nighter could do 4 night if we had to. We had the original cruise for $562 which included $40 shipboard credit due to status match and (3) $50 OBC, Easy plus drink pkg and WIFI.

My question is  if we move the current cruise to a later date can we again move that cruise again if we need to? 

Any help would be appreciated..Thank you!

It sounds like you can but don't quote me on it.  I would ask @mscdivina2016  Looks like the op did that before....

[Markanddonna]

Now, the system (according to the agent) is not allowing any bookings AT ALL on the Jan 2023 sailing I want. They said it is a system error which will be fixed by the end of the week. I have to make the change by Thursday since I sail on Sunday!  So frustrated!

[FrostyJoe]

1 minute ago, Markanddonna said:

Now, the system (according to the agent) is not allowing any bookings AT ALL on the Jan 2023 sailing I want. They said it is a system error which will be fixed by the end of the week. I have to make the change by Thursday since I sail on Sunday!  So frustrated!

the infamous MSC IT issues :(....hopefully they'll fix it before Thursday.  But don't you have until 5pm Friday and not Thursday???

[Markanddonna]

I suppose I have until then but I have no confidence in MSC  at this point. I just wish they would give us the opportunity to cancel!

[cheeseheads4ever]

I feel the same way. Rushed to make a decision. I need to make a change by Monday. I hate it. This is supposed to be the fun part ,planning and booking. 
MSCdivina2016 do you know if we can move the cruise a 2nd time?

I can move to March but may have to move again.

[FrostyJoe]

I should look at backup cruises while we're at it....in the event we test + Friday.....:(

[mscdivina2016]

8 minutes ago, cheeseheads4ever said:

I feel the same way. Rushed to make a decision. I need to make a change by Monday. I hate it. This is supposed to be the fun part ,planning and booking. 
MSCdivina2016 do you know if we can move the cruise a 2nd time?

I can move to March but may have to move again.

It's unclear to me because it states 1 free change.

Also they just changed the whole thing I was told today so I googled it and it has changed.

Google msc piece of mind 48 hours.

[cheeseheads4ever]

So I’m wondering what has changed? I tried the Voyager Club pricing and it’s about $100 more but we also lose all perks it looks like. Says on Voyager Club you get the Drinks, OBC and WiFi but when you do the booking process it looks like it’s the cruise only.