Earliest online check-in for guaranteed cabin 1st MSC cruise

[dawei]

We've booked a TA Grand voyage as our first MSC cruise with a guaranteed cabin. Would like to complete web check-in to take advantage of pre-cruise discounted pricing on internet, dining, etc., but MSC's website won't go beyond our names, confirmation number. On the phone, an MSC agent first said we cannot finish web check-in until we've made final payment (due in 5 mos.). Then, she changed that response and said we cannot complete web check-in before boarding because we have a guaranteed and won't be assigned a cabin number until we're onboard! This certainly doesn't sound right. It seems the MSC rep was also unconvinced by her answer; I was put on hold for quite awhile before the connection was dropped.

What has your experience been if you have booked a guaranteed and attempted to complete early web check-in?

 

David

 

 

[HipHipOnAShip]

Ah, welcome to the world of MSC customer service!  You will get many, many conflicting answers from them.

You will likely be assigned a cabin well before you arrive at the port, but it could be as late as 4 days before.  I would think that once final payment was made you could book all of your onboard services because they are linked to your booking, not cabin assignment.  If you want to expedite that you could pay off the balance now 😉

 

[Tierun]

No extras can be booked before final payment. Either pay now, or wait until then to book you pre cruise items.

[publicpersona]

A first time MSC cruiser vs. a trained MSC employee in customer service .. who knows more about how things work on MSC?

 

Unfortunately, that one is too close to call.

[CruisingFox27]

Although we've never booked a gte cabin we have always been able to pre book wifi, excursions and additional extras prior to final payment/ check in. Every time I've ever logged in to a booking it's offering me optional extras to book.