Beware!! Whale Watching Nightmare

We just got back from the MSC Lirica 11 day cruise 2/11-22/07. The one and only tour we booked from the ship, Whale Watching, in Samana, Dominican Republic, the cost was $71 per person for a 3-4 hour adventure. We boarded a small open-air boat (about 24 foot) directily from the ship, with 30 small seats, no bathroom, and no cover. The sea conditions that day in the watch area were 6-8 foot swells. As soon as we left the ship they handed out seasickness pills, (this should have been my first clue that it was going to be an ADVENTURE!!!). Two women seated next to us started barfing within minutes (they brought their own barf bag). For the next hour and a half we experianced rough seas, and what we called whale chasing (not whale watching). There were 5 small boats and one large. We all ended up in the “Prime watch area” and waited to see the spout, then all the boats would go full speed, bouncing over the 6-8 foot swells to get to that area we saw the spout. We never saw the whale because all the boat motors would scare it away (Whale chasing). Finally after about 2 hours people started barfing everywhere, due to the rough sea conditions. Most of the passengers wanted to go back to the ship, but the operator said he needed to keep us out for at least 3 hours. Then finally we saw some whales jumping out of the water, so---- full speed ahead, pounding over the swells to that area. It was hard to see the whales due to the extreme rocking of the boat. If the boat was on top of the swell when the whale jumped we saw it, other wise all you saw was the wall of water. By this time we were all soaked. Then the guy behind us puked all over us:eek: . My wife almost joined in. At this point everyone was yelling “Take us back to the ship”. The boat turned back FINALLY. But half way there they shut down the engines and offered us some coke, or water. They again said that they needed to stay out for 3 hours to get paid. I thought there was going to be a mutiny. They took us back but couldn’t get close to the ship due to the rough seas. It took 5 attempts to get the boat tied up to the ship so we could get off. About 12 of us went right to the front desk and demanded to speak to the shore excursion manager. She came out and my wife and I stood very close to her (smelling of puke). We all demanded our money back, because they refused to return to the ship. We all understand that the ship can’t control the sea conditions, or the number of whales. But they should have accessed the sea conditions before sending us out. We were told that they usually use larger boats, but due to the popularity they booked extra boats. They told us they would have to contact the head office (in Naples) to see if they can give us a refund. That night both my wife and I had severe neck and back pain, and headaches. We did get them to wash our clothes for free:rolleyes: . The next evening (just hours before we were scheduled to end the cruise) they informed us that they were going to give us a 25% discount on the tour. So that means $53.25 per person for the abuse and puke, instead of $71. :confused: I will dispute the charge with the credit card company and send a letter to Naples.

I guess the lesson is don't count on the cruise line to watch out for your safety, all they want is the mighty buck.:mad:

Very interesting post. We were on the Opera for the 2/5 sailing and did the ship's whale watching excursion in Samana. The seas were quite smooth, but it didn't take long for the guy behind me to up-chuck. He did this repeatedly and with gusto. He had taken no medications for the possibility of seasickness. Gross!!! Fortunately, he appeared to be the only one. We did get to see some whales, but the captain of the boat headed back to Cayo Lavantado early. Our excursion lasted only 2 1/2 hours start to finish. He didn't appear to be concerned about being out there for the full 3 hours. Go figure!

So how was your cruise minus those 3 hours?

You can read my review of the rest of the cruise here:

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=25979

The description that you posted is accurate. My husband and I were on the same whale watching excursion and it was the most unprofessional excursion I have ever been on. The ship was tiny, there were no bathrooms for 3 hours, the seas were rough and we got drenched (not wet but drenched) . People had their camera equipment ruined due to the foot of water in the boat as well as the waves coming over the boat. The majority of people were throwing up all over the place and people were screaming to go back. The crew was only interested in keeping us out for 3 hours that was promised. We felt like we were being held captive.

I am a Cruise Travel Specialist with a Major Company and went with the rest of the people to the Shore Excursion Manager, as well as the Reception Manager to complain about this excursion. They were very disinterested and told us the excursions are not owned by MSC but by a private contractor. However, we booked this excursion through MSC. It was a disgrace of the lack of concern for the safety of the guests.

My first impression of the ship was that it was very clean and when we first walked on, we were escorted to our rooms with white glove service. We had a suite which was equivelent to a balcony room on the princess. It was adequate and the bathroom had a great big tub.

It went downhill from there.

The food was absolutely atrocious. The meat (any kind of beef, veal, pork) was unrecognizable). The safe bet was fish however the night they served lobster tails, they were dried out and served with some kind of pink sauce. The pasta was mediocre and you would expect more from an Italian Cruise Line. Desserts were tasteless.

The announcements were done in 5 different languages. At first it was cute, but then it became annoying. There were a tons of Europeans on the ship and the vast majority were smokers and the casino was so filled with cigarette smoke that anyone who didn't smoke would not go inside.

As a travel agent, I would never recommend this cruise line to anyone.

thanks for the review. y'all who don't like things that cater to europeans crack me up..That's the main reason i'm going on MSC and can't wait.To the travel agent who wouldn't recommend them,what will you do when a client that's not loaded says they want a non mainline,european flavored caribbean cruise?:cool:

I've read so many mixed reviews of this cruiseline and ship that I can't wait to be on the ship April 1. We plan to be very open minded about the whole thing, realizing it will have a strong European influence. This was one reason for booking this cruise, along with what we call a great deal. I've got my normal size coffee mugs, regular size glasses, large thermal jug for coffee and/or juice, as I understand these drinks are gone after 10 a.m. I hope the cruise will turn out fine.:D

I've read so many mixed reviews of this cruiseline and ship that I can't wait to be on the ship April 1. We plan to be very open minded about the whole thing, realizing it will have a strong European influence. This was one reason for booking this cruise, along with what we call a great deal. I've got my normal size coffee mugs, regular size glasses, large thermal jug for coffee and/or juice, as I understand these drinks are gone after 10 a.m. I hope the cruise will turn out fine.:D

I also read many varied reviews about the ship, it's pasengers, the food, and the service. I also looked forward to seeing for myself, and went with an open mind. We had a great time, and everything was fine, with the exception of the Whale watching tour. I'm sure you'll have a great time. I personally enjoyed the "European croud" YOU CAN'T BEAT THE VALUE!!

I only posted this to warn others to watch the sea conditions for yourself, dont count on the cruiseline to watchout for you. They didn't in our case.

and don't feel bad because its not just msc but most cruiselines that have that same deal with their excursions.For the most part they're usually competent but every once in awhile something happens like happened to y'all.Glad overall you had a good time.We sail in 12 days and i can't wait:cool:

There are many elements of cruising and cruise ships that can be reviewed subjectively. I was on the Opera for their 2/5 W. Caribbean cruise and loved it. Sure, it wasn't perfect (the Whale Watching expedition was a disappointment), but neither are the very best of cruise ships I've been on, including the 6 Star lines. If you cruise MSC with an open mind and a smile on your face and don't pay too much attention to the naysayers, you will likely have a great time. Buon Viaggio!

To answer your question I would probably recommend Costa in the future for a cruiseline with an European flavor. And don't get me wrong, I love europe and had no problem with any of the people. However, listening to the announcements, games at the pool and all instructions in 5 different languages gets tiring and you seem to tune out the speaking. I did go with an open mind and my first impression was favorable. At the pier we were greeted with Champagne and OJ and personally escorted to the rooms. The staff was friendly and our needs were met. Our cabin staff was excellent. Our dinner mates were great, and on the whole my husband and I had a great time as we make our own good time.

The food was the worst I have ever had and I am not a picky or fussy eater. There was no flavor and you needed a saw to cut through any steak, veal or pork. Our dinner mate happened to be a cattle Rancher from Canada and also said that the meat was below any standards of his. My recommendation for anyone who is booked on this, is to eat the fish which was pretty good, and pasta. If you need to grab something at the buffet, grab the pizza. The burgers were chewy and the beef is not grade A.

We also booked the catamaran trip in Barbados and the trip was wonderful. The food, and crew were the best, and were extremely professional.

It is unfortunate that the whale watching experience has soured us on MSC, but having been on about 30 cruises with other cruiselines, we certainly have better choices for us.

Rule # 1 when sailing italian..Don't eat the beef..Stick to the fish and pasta as that is what most italians eat..Costa also has announcements in 5 languages..have sailed both and prefer msc and haven't been on a beautiful ship like the opera with msc yet so i can't wait. Anyway i'm sorry you had a bad time..my first cruise in 1997 was so dissapointing that i vowed to never sail again..My MSC Opera cruise is my 29th..Anyway who knows I may not enjoy my upcoming cruise but I think that's highly unlikely.I will try to post a real thorough review when i return..and I know Carnival is glad to hear you would book them on Costa..Caio!:cool:

I truly appreciate ALL the feedback folks bring back from their experience on every cruise. It really does help to prepare expectations for our own upcoming booked expedition. Last year, when we booked a cruise on NCLA on the newest ship Pride of Hawaii for our 30th anniv. , the reviews on CC were truly aweful, nasty, horrid based on others experiences and reviews! I never let my husband read them, instead packed stuff to wash the balcony windows, clean the room on arrival, and bring ice back to our own room, and clean it ourselves everyday!. What we experienced was adequate service, decent food, with a bit slower service than we had on our prior cruises, with Celebrity, RCI, NCL or even Carnival. So what,!! we were in Hawaii, and had a wonderful itinerary and great shore excursions with memories for a lifetime . BYW, I am going with my Mom in a few months on the same cruise line, and she's never been to Hawaii and is so looking forward to this trip/ So I get to relive those memories sooner than I ever expected to.....

In April on the Lirica , I am praying for good weather and calm seas, safe port excursions and 5 wonderful seas days for my husband to relax from the hectic work life he survives every day.

To all fellow CC's -- please continue to provide all the personal experiences that you each live through this cruise line with all of us. That's the only way we all can prepare for what to expect...... or what not to anticipate and be disappointed.

Goldie AZ

The whale chasing reminds me of an excursion that I did in Bahia Magdelana off the Sea of Cortez. We loaded into motorized skiffs and headed out to find the whales - with 30 other boats chasing after the same whale. When one was spotted they all converged upon that one whale. These whale had just given birth and I can't imagine how harassed they felt by these whale watchers. It was hot (no shade) and long and rocky and miserable. Anyone who was trying to film the whales got very seasick. (I guess that makes it worse - trying to look at the horizon through a little hole).

We did see whales up close - but I thought the whole experience was pretty primal, barbaric and cruel.

Just a follow up on the letter I wrote to MSC's main office. I explained my horrible excursion and asked to be refunded the full amount we paid. I never received a response from MSC. :mad: . The other couple that was on the excursion with us (They were both cruise travel agents) also sent a letter thought their head office, hoping that being a cruise agent and having a letter sent from their corporate office would have more clout. They also revived the same no response.

That is what I call CUSTOMER NO SERVICE. So I will take my business else ware.

I do realize that most cruise lines operate essentially the same, they give you a great product. But what sets one line apart from the next is how they handle the problems when they pop up. For this reason I give MSC a failing grade.

I have one question. Being there's a major european flavor, how smoky was this ship?

Pia

No different that any other ship. Smoking was restricted in all public areas with the exception of a few bars and the casino. Outdoor smoking was ok, but there was a non smoking side to the pool.

Reading this thread, I am curious why anyone would write to Naples to address a complaint about a Caribbean Cruise. MSC has had an office in Florida for several years and if I remember correctly, the US Manager is a former Celebrity Exec.

Address is:

MSC Cruises (USA) Inc.

6750 North Andrews Avenue,

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309

Reservations: 1-800-666-9333

General Number: 1-954-772-6262

Fax Number: 1-908-605-2600

Since most of the Caribbean Cruises are now being marketed to the North America Market, it seems like this is where to write.

We sailed the Opera in 2005 and enjoyed the cruise immensely. The only problem that we encountered was visiting St. Croix from 7AM to 2PM when the shops did not open until 11AM. And the time was not conducive to traveling to Christiansted from Fredricksted.

We loved the Italian/European "flavor" of the food. NOBODY CAN MAKE A RISOTTO LIKE MSC. Several times for lunch we had a double helping!! instead of an entree. The fish and pasta were great. (And for Meats, the Cold cuts and sausages are traditional and very Italian.

One thing that I remember that still makes my mouth water is the Cheeses!

At a Midnight "Caribbean Buffet" they had a HUGE block of Pecorino Reggiano that most people ignored. I went back six times. My breath was bad afterwards but my mouth still waters thinking of it.

MSC ain't Carnival, or RCCL, Thank Goodness.

Mapsmith,

I agree with most of your review of the MSC food. I was raised by a Italian Gourmet chef and I found the food very good. See my review here: http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=25979

My complaint was with the customer service, and lack of respect to even send me a response. I contacted the office in Florida and was told that the excursion main office was in Italy, so that is where I sent my letter.

Next time I feel I want the Italian flare I will book on Costa.