I booked an MSC cruise even after being refused by my TA. Beautiful ship but many cons.

[JamieLogical]

39 minutes ago, pdmlynek said:

 

Thank you for posting this.  I was wondering if I was the only one who has read negative reviews online.

 

 

Really?!?!!? It seems like almost every review I have ever read about MSC was negative! I am happy to have found most of those reviews to have been wrong or outdated, though, as my B2B sailings over the past 3 weeks were awesome.

[20165]

4 minutes ago, JamieLogical said:

 

Really?!?!!? It seems like almost every review I have ever read about MSC was negative! I am happy to have found most of those reviews to have been wrong or outdated, though, as my B2B sailings over the past 3 weeks were awesome.

That is actually comforting.  I have been reading some of the reviews on CC and they are cringe worthy...

[Illbcruzn4life]

57 minutes ago, 20165 said:

That is actually comforting.  I have been reading some of the reviews on CC and they are cringe worthy...

Yeah Ive read them too but hasn’t stopped me. I have 3 MSC cruises booked. We are pretty easy going.

[KKB]

2 hours ago, pdmlynek said:

 

Thank you for posting this.  I was wondering if I was the only one who has read negative reviews online.

 

However, I also agree with @morpheusofthesea, @KKB, and others, that these are inconveniences, nothing that would make not take a cruise.

 

I am looking forward to my first cruise with MSC later this month. 🙂 

 

None of those things were deal breakers.

And the lack of common courtesy by far too many passengers COULD be in the future, if it is truly a pattern. But I try not to judge based on one experience--could be situational.

3 weeks coming up on the Preziosa in Europe--guess I'll know by the end of the month!

(then again comparing Caribbean to Europe cruises...not quite the same either, is it?)

[DCGuy64]

MSC is a terrible line: awful food, appalling service, disastrous website, crappy ships. Now please everybody else boycott MSC so my wife and I can relish the Yacht Club in peace, LOL! *sarcasm*

We love MSC, in case you can't tell.

[JamieLogical]

4 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

MSC is a terrible line: awful food, appalling service, disastrous website, crappy ships. Now please everybody else boycott MSC so my wife and I can relish the Yacht Club in peace, LOL! *sarcasm*

We love MSC, in case you can't tell.

 

I see what you did there! Now all the negative reviews make more sense!

[Nashna]

Everyone has a different view of cruising.  None of the issues that the OP stated would be major to me.  Pre-covid, MSC's safety drill was horrible.  Waiting for late arrivals, listening to the safety instructions in multiple languages, rude passengers talking during the instructions, crying babies, and then enduring the crush of the dispersing crowd made it intolerable.  What the OP experienced seems to be a vast improvement.  We try to use the wifi as little as possible, typically get the higher-grade drink package, and stay in YC.  Deal breakers for me are service, meal quality, the ship's ambiance, and entertainment.  

[morpheusofthesea]

On 4/30/2023 at 2:32 PM, rsail203 said:

The problems that I've seen about MSC rules are pretty ridiculous:

The rules are not ridiculous. Many are just not adhered to and no consequences like putting shoes and feet up on furniture, besides the others you mention. We compiled a list of things we look for in a cruise ship. 

Never sailed on a MSC ship in a cabin outside the Yacht Club. But we can list now all the things to look out for when booking any cruise ship.

#1 E muster drill is better

#2 Two cabin cleanings per day

#3 No % charge for gambling unless using cash

#4 No extra charge for can sodas vs fountain drinks

#5 Reserved seating in the theatre for all shows

#6 Complimentary bottled water

#7 Reserved or ability to reserve pergola/cabanas on pool deck

#8 'Cushioned' pool lounges

#9 Escorts on and off ship avoiding long lines

#10 First to use tenders off the ship at ports that tender

#11 Dedicated restaurant that is so good one need not book Specialty Restaurants

#12 Service that does not involve 2 hours to complete a meal

#13 An attentive butler not hard to find when needed

#14 Cabins ready upon embarkation/ key cards in hand at checkin

#15 Dedicated restaurant OPEN port days

#16 Dedicated buffet to only suite guests

#17 Dedicated pool and sun deck only for suite guests with ample lounges

# 18 All the advantages of a mega ship with the exclusivity of a gated community

#19 walk-in shower not low profile tub/shower combo

#20 No non-suite paying Pinnacle/Zenith/Diamond passengers taking up prime real estate in the Yacht Club

#21 Elevator over-ride key cards for suite guests

#22 Pristine out island with NO bugs crawling all over cabanas

#23 short distance between cabin and restaurant decks

Edited May 1, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[travelwide]

When can we expect your next live review?

[morpheusofthesea]

2 hours ago, travelwide said:

 

 

Edited May 1, 2023 by morpheusofthesea

[morpheusofthesea]

17 hours ago, travelwide said:

When can we expect your next live review?

If you are referring to me, may I be presumptuous and say I did one last month spring break on the HAL NA. Though I found the Pinnacle suite nice DW hated it. She is spoiled by MSC's new ships and their cabins in the YC. Let us just say that we have crossed off HAL from any future cruises. Looking forward to sailing Seascape in June.

[Georgia_Peaches]

Personally, I would not work with a TA who didn’t have the fortitude to work with MSC. A client’s preference for cruising company should not be dictated by who a TA desires to work with…it shouldn’t work that way. 
 

Having said that, I am very grateful for my TA’s know how when dealing with MSC customer service. I would not want to endeavor to do this on my own. 
 

I can’t comment on portion size as doing so will only further perplex me as to why I needed my spandex leggings in lieu of my tailored shorts at the end of my last cruise. 
 

The only other thing I will comment on is the “No drink in the theater rule”. I learned of this (ridiculous) rule on our last cruise on Meraviglia as I entered the main theater for one of the evening shows (that lasted all of 30 minutes) and was asked to leave my drink at the door. It was confusing in that moment. I couldn’t rightly fathom why I was being asked to leave a perfectly good drink at the door. It was later that I realized that the guy did me a favor because that drink would have likely been my tipping point. As it turned out, I had 30 minutes or so to dry out before my next cocktail later on in the casino. I survived but agree, watching a show with a cocktail in hand is quite fun indeed. 

[phissy]

11 hours ago, morpheusofthesea said:

If you are referring to me, may I be presumptuous and say I did one last month spring break on the HAL NA. Though I found the Pinnacle suite nice DW hated it. She is spoiled by MSC's new ships and their cabins in the YC. Let us just say that we have crossed off HAL from any future cruises. Looking forward to sailing Seascape in June.

We are looking forward to your review and insights on your cruise in June.

[Joiseymom]

2 hours ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Personally, I would not work with a TA who didn’t have the fortitude to work with MSC. A client’s preference for cruising company should not be dictated by who a TA desires to work with…it shouldn’t work that way. 
 

Having said that, I am very grateful for my TA’s know how when dealing with MSC customer service. I would not want to endeavor to do this on my own. 
 

I can’t comment on portion size as doing so will only further perplex me as to why I needed my spandex leggings in lieu of my tailored shorts at the end of my last cruise. 
 

The only other thing I will comment on is the “No drink in the theater rule”. I learned of this (ridiculous) rule on our last cruise on Meraviglia as I entered the main theater for one of the evening shows (that lasted all of 30 minutes) and was asked to leave my drink at the door. It was confusing in that moment. I couldn’t rightly fathom why I was being asked to leave a perfectly good drink at the door. It was later that I realized that the guy did me a favor because that drink would have likely been my tipping point. As it turned out, I had 30 minutes or so to dry out before my next cocktail later on in the casino. I survived but agree, watching a show with a cocktail in hand is quite fun indeed. 

Do you expect a TA to work for free? Some situations with MSC can take foever, and are very difficult. I would not blame a TA for not doing it, as their time is money.

[Georgia_Peaches]

7 hours ago, Joiseymom said:

Do you expect a TA to work for free? Some situations with MSC can take foever, and are very difficult. I would not blame a TA for not doing it, as their time is money.

Actually, my TA told me that MSC offers some of the highest commissions in the industry (which is how I have scored some amazing OBC).  But to answer your question, no, I don’t expect a TA (or anyone) to work for free. If a TA is saying that it’s not worth their time to deal with MSC, that’s something entirely different (from getting paid) and their personal choice based on their own circumstance. But as a travel customer, I wouldn’t work with a TA who didn’t work with MSC…which has nothing to do with whether or not I want my TA to get paid. 

[Joiseymom]

1 hour ago, Georgia_Peaches said:

Actually, my TA told me that MSC offers some of the highest commissions in the industry (which is how I have scored some amazing OBC).  But to answer your question, no, I don’t expect a TA (or anyone) to work for free. If a TA is saying that it’s not worth their time to deal with MSC, that’s something entirely different (from getting paid) and their personal choice based on their own circumstance. But as a travel customer, I wouldn’t work with a TA who didn’t work with MSC…which has nothing to do with whether or not I want my TA to get paid. 

The time it takes to get things done with MSC eats the commission that's left after a TA gives OBC, which is why TAs don't want to deal with them. I can't blame any TA for not wanting to deal with them.

[morpheusofthesea]

Here is a cautionary tale. My TA calls to tell me that a client booked a cruise on the MSC Opera for the cruise. They book their air flights $8000. Then they find that the MSC Virtuosa is doing the same itinerary on the same dates. So they decide to change to the Virtuosa.  Come to find out that they now get a notice that the Virtuosa is leaving 3 days earlier than original booking. Client cannot change air flights or just cannot go earlier. So client decides to switch back to Opera, but now must pay the Opera's new increased price. What I find amusing is my TA does have more MSC clients than just me.

[Georgia_Peaches]

6 hours ago, Joiseymom said:

The time it takes to get things done with MSC eats the commission that's left after a TA gives OBC, which is why TAs don't want to deal with them. I can't blame any TA for not wanting to deal with them.

I can certainly see their point, especially if they are an independent TA or one that works for a very small agency.  I use an online TA that is quite large and has many agents.  Perhaps that is the difference.

[rsail203]

Actually my TA works for a large online agency. She has given me great service for over ten years. She told me that from her experience, she felt that I wouldn't enjoy MSC. She wanted nothing to do wth them. I booked anyway, and after my experience today, having a10% discount because of a Gold Status Match, it looks good so far. Not having my TA involved, I called directly and within 10 minutes I had my discount. The website still seems pretty user unfriendly but I can live with it as of now.

The telephone rep told me it was better to call for check-in, rather than using the website. 

[morpheusofthesea]

10 minutes ago, rsail203 said:

I booked anyway, and after my experience today, having a10% discount because of a Gold Status Match, it looks good so far.

Now that 10% discount is very interesting... better read the paper work again.

[Illbcruzn4life]

10 minutes ago, rsail203 said:

Actually my TA works for a large online agency. She has given me great service for over ten years. She told me that from her experience, she felt that I wouldn't enjoy MSC. She wanted nothing to do wth them. I booked anyway, and after my experience today, having a10% discount because of a Gold Status Match, it looks good so far. Not having my TA involved, I called directly and within 10 minutes I had my discount. The website still seems pretty user unfriendly but I can live with it as of now.

The telephone rep told me it was better to call for check-in, rather than using the website. 

My TA ‘s main concern when I talk to her is always, “I hope you like it”.

 

Thats not smart having to use phone personnel to answer phones when you can use the website.

 

on the plus side it keeps people employed.

[1kaper]

12 hours ago, Joiseymom said:

The time it takes to get things done with MSC eats the commission that's left after a TA gives OBC, which is why TAs don't want to deal with them. I can't blame any TA for not wanting to deal with them.

 

I keep reading this but I’ve talked to 4 different travel agents who deal with MSC and all of them had no issues working with MSC. One worked exclusively with MSC. 
I brought up the issue with customer service and was told they don’t have the issue. 
 

 

From what I’ve read here there may be different levels for TAs dealing with MSX Not quite sure how to describe it or how it works. If that’s true that may be a factor. All I know is not every TA hates working with MSC. 

[travelwide]

On 5/2/2023 at 11:39 AM, morpheusofthesea said:

If you are referring to me, may I be presumptuous and say I did one last month spring break on the HAL NA. Though I found the Pinnacle suite nice DW hated it. She is spoiled by MSC's new ships and their cabins in the YC. Let us just say that we have crossed off HAL from any future cruises. Looking forward to sailing Seascape in June.

We followed your HAL review and are looking forward to your next MSC review. Happy wife happy life! Hope the interloper situation is solved.

[Boozy O Croozy]

Regarding the two device issue…

 

My wife’s iPhone was logged in the whole week. I switched between my iPhone and MacBook frequently. All you have to do is log out on your other device.

[B_A_H]

4 hours ago, Boozy O Croozy said:

Regarding the two device issue…

 

My wife’s iPhone was logged in the whole week. I switched between my iPhone and MacBook frequently. All you have to do is log out on your other device.

Then you must have had a two device plan just for yourself.  MSC reads a device's MAC address and associates it as a permissible device on whatever plan is purchased. So the hardware is what's associated with a plan, not a user ID.  One device plan = one MAC address.  

 

Most cruise lines give you two simultaneous accesses based on user ID so the physical device being used doesn't matter.  Just another MSC quirk. 

 

You can go to the Internet folks on board and they can change one device (MAC address) for another but you can't do it yourself.  But that would be a pain because you need to do that each time you wanted to switch physical devices on a single device plan.  One of the YC benefits is you get a two device plan for each person in the room.