Hotel charge increases winter 2014

SERVICE CHARGE APPLIED STARTING FROM WINTER 2014/2015 DEPARTURES

Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Northern Europe, Antilles and Emirates

Adults (14 and over): 8,50 Euro per night

Child (3 and over): 4,25 Euro per night

Child (Under 3): No Service charge applied

MSC Grand Voyages to/from Emirates, Antilles, Canary Island

Adults (14 and over): 8,50 Euro per night

Child (3 and over): 4,25 Euro per night

Child (Under 3): No Service charge applied

New MSC Grand Voyages from Dubai to Australia

Adults (14 and over): $ 10 US Dollars per night

Child (3 and over): $ 5 US Dollars per night

Child (Under 3): No Service charge applied

South Africa cruises:

South Africa Cruises

Adults (18 and over): $ 6 US Dollars per night

Child (3 and over): $ 3 US Dollars per night

Child (Under 3): No Service charge applied

MSC Grand Voyages from South Africa (Northbound)

Adults (18 and over): $ 6 US Dollars per night

Child (3 and over): $ 3 US Dollars per night

Child (Under 3): No Service charge applied

MSC Grand Voyages to South Africa (Southbound)

Adults (14 and over): 8,50 Euro per night

Child (3 - 13 years): 4,25 Euro per night

Child (Under 3): No Service charge applied

South America cruises:

South America Cruises

Adults (12 and over): $ 10,50 US Dollars per night

Child (2 and over): $ 5,25 US Dollars per night

Child (Under 3): No Service charge applied

MSC Grand Voyages from South America (Eastbound)

Adults (12 and over): $ 10,50 US Dollars per night

Child (2 and over): $ 5,25 US Dollars per night

Child (Under 3): No Service charge applied

MSC Grand Voyages to South America (Westbound)

Adults (14 and over): 8,50 Euro per night

Child (2 and over): 4,25 Euro per night

Child (Under 3): No Service charge applied

Caribbean cruises:

Caribbean cruises:

Adults (18 and over): $ 12 US Dollars per night

Child (3 and over): $ 6 US Dollars per night

Child (Under 3): No Service charge applied

MSC Grand Voyages from Caribbean (Eastbound)

Adults (18 and over): $ 12 US Dollars per night

Child (3 and over): $ 6 US Dollars per night

Child (Under 3): No Service charge applied

MSC Grand Voyages to Caribbean (Westbound)

Adults (18 and over): 8,50 Euro per night

Child (3-13 years): 4,25 Euro per night

Child (Under 3): No Service charge applied

Grand Cruise from Dubai to Australia

Adults (18 and over): 10 US Dollars per night

Child(3 and over): 5 US Dollars per night

Child (Under 3): No Service charge applied

Bar Service Charge

A 15% Bar Service Charge is automatically added to all purchases.

Spa Service Charge

a 15% service charge will be added on all spa services purchased onboard and paid at the end of cruise in the final bill.

MSC Cruises does not recommend tipping individual members of staff.

Sounds reasonable. All other lines in Caribbeans are already charging $12 pp.

Looks like the US and South African prices are the same it is just the rest that have gone up from €7 (shorter cruises/€6 longer cruises to €8.50 regardless of cruise length.

Can't help wandering if this is to offset some of those that get the charge removed.......

Looks like the US and South African prices are the same it is just the rest that have gone up from €7 (shorter cruises/€6 longer cruises to €8.50 regardless of cruise length.

 

Can't help wandering if this is to offset some of those that get the charge removed.......

I would have thought such large increases (€6 to €8.50 is over 40%) would drastically increase the number of people cancelling what is, after all, a voluntary charge. The net effect could easily be less income and more annoyed guests.

I have so far never come across anyone who doesn't think that these charges should not be included in the cruise fare. Trying to automatically add them after the booking is plain dishonest and prevents a direct comparison between cruise fares for different lines.

MSC does not mention the service charge anylonger below the prices on their German website, which makes me think that it is included now.

They list a hole host of items for which extra charges apply, but the service charge is not on that list:

Die Preise sind in Euro pro Person angegeben (zzgl. Transfers, Landausflüge, An-und Abreise, Medizinischer Service, persönliche Ausgaben, Schönheitszentrum, Sauna & Spa, Kasino, Videospiele u.ä., 24-Stunden Kabinenservice, Internet Café und Wi-Fi, Ship to Shore Telefonservice und Getränke an Bord in Bars und Restaurants) und gelten für eine Kreuzfahrt in der 2-Bett Kabine (falls nicht anderweitig ausgeschrieben) für in Deutschland wohnhafte Personen.

Many American lines have also started to included the service charge in the cruise price now for bookings from Germany. German lines such as Aida (I know it's Carnival) and Tui Cruises never had a service charge to begin with.

I think including service charge is a way to go. Line will not lose money as people will not be removing them, and controversy will stop.

I think including service charge is a way to go. Line will not lose money as people will not be removing them, and controversy will stop.

I completely agree with you