Georgia_Peaches

58 minutes ago, Moparfiend said:

The crew is so awesome, check out this surprise.

 

How lovely!  Did you tell them it was your anniversary?

Happy Anniversary!!

24 minutes ago, huskyla27 said:

I'm writing to share an update regarding the Explora matter. I finally connected with Explora management, who extended their apologies for what occurred. They've confirmed that the issue of refunding to the travel agency was an oversight on their part and have committed to refunding the amount directly to my original payment method. They assured me this internal matter with the travel agency will not impede the prompt processing of my refund.

 

While I appreciate their apology and the resolution, this incident has undeniably diminished my view of Explora. A $20,000 cruise should never involve this kind of miscommunication or delay. It's truly disappointing, as I had high hopes for Explora to be my preferred ultra luxury cruise line. Regrettably, I now feel compelled to explore other ultra-luxury options, as my trust in Explora has been impacted.

 

Thank you all for your feedback

 

Thank you for the update.  I am glad to know this issue has finally been resolved.  I can only assume that training is a factor and perhaps more of it is necessary  to bring this relatively new staff up to speed on how to handle all possible scenarios.  From everything I have read, many of the customer service personnel...and even many of the ship senior staff came from land based resorts or hotels...not the cruise industry itself.  It has  to make a difference in knowledge and skilled know-how of the employees when it comes to resolving issues.

I remember our learning curve when, as a middle school principal, we opened a brand new school.  Everyone in the building was new, not necessarily to education but to the 'product' we were offering the community.  Our learning curve was steep and took three years until we started working like a well oiled machine.  

All that to say, while I understand the motivation to look elsewhere, I personally might be inclined to give a second chance...only because I know what it's like to be new to a market and some of the growing pains that most certainly exist as a result.

Best of luck to you in whatever cruise line you patronize in the future!

1 minute ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

I had read they have kids clubs and since they offer Kids Sail Free promotions, that's why they were on my radar but I haven't gotten far into that research and your post may show that I don't need to go any further!

Yes, it may be worth a deeper dive into the Kid's Club.  I never saw it but that doesn't mean it's not there.  DH just reminded me that there is a game room off the pool deck where there was every board game imaginable.  This was on Grandeur.  We didn't hang out in there but went in to check it out and people were definitely playing games...heck, they were even being waited on by servers who brought drinks...and there was also a self serve refreshment area too.  

3 minutes ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

Regent Seven Seas (they have some Kids Sail Free promotions)

We absolutely LOVED Regent, our first experience with them being this past May from Venice to Rome.  But there is absolutely nothing, and I mean NOTHING for kids on Regent.  Your children seem pretty chill so maybe they'd be fine but I can't stress this enough...there is nothing for children on Regent ships.  On our sailing there was 1 child...a little girl who turned out to be the daughter of one of the officers...he had his family on board for the cruise, which I thought was nice.  But the little girl had to have been pretty bored.  At one point the mother brought her to the spa deck to get into one of the hot tubs and I swear I saw side eye from some of the elders back there at that time.  Pretty interesting to watch.  

For the ease of not having to deal with MSC customer service alone (should you need it) a good TA is worth their weight in gold. 

4 minutes ago, TGfromTX said:

If you have cruised the line often, you likely know as much or more than the person assisting you.   I give the agent a chance to assist and if it starts going off the rails, I just say I have to go or thanks.  I call back to get someone more knowledgeable rather than try to work through all the training issues.  It's much easier and doesn't require nearly as much patience.

I would not have the patience for this...it's just another great case for using a travel agent.

It's the only cabin I look for when booking.  Our first YC cabin was a deluxe balcony.  It was very nice but our neighbor didn't understand that when they slept with their balcony door open it cut off our A/C (Yes, I peeked around the corner)...this is a no-go in the Caribbean but they didn't seem to mind.  The next several times we sailed it was in a YIN.  They are small but mighty.  The a/c was wonderful and so was the sleeping because the room is so dark.  After the first time I brought a USB candle to keep in the bathroom for some guidance during the night.

So the way we manage the space is very strategic.  First, I bring a hanging shoe bag and heavy duty magnets so that I can hang this on the wall for extra storage.  Second, I bring a fold up hamper to manage the laundry.  We also kind of pack as we go and when we no longer need something, we store it away in our suitcases which we tuck under the bed.  Last, I ask our betler to remove the chairs as we don't use them.  I keep the small table and put it at the foot of the bed.  It gives extra surface area but it's out of the footpath.

Having said that...we have a duplex suite on WA and a YC deluxe balcony in that order on our next two consecutive sailings.  On WA we just wanted to try something very different and on Seascape there were no YINs available when we booked.  They tend to book up the quickest.

6 minutes ago, DePaul94 said:

Most TAs offered higher prices with lots of OBC.

I am happy you had a successful booking interaction working directly with Celebrity.  Like you suggested, I would definitely transfer to a TA for additional perks and perhaps OBC.  

10 minutes ago, Asleep-In-The-Desert said:

I just paid the remaining balance and they immediately assigned us a Sunset Sky Suite.

Such a great suite!  Have a great cruise.  I'm taking my mom on Reflection a week from today and I can't wait...it's going to be hot, though.  Your sailing should be a little cooler making that nice sunset balcony even better!

1 minute ago, Asleep-In-The-Desert said:

I'm so dismayed by this experience I'll probably book through a travel agent in the future and let them deal with them.  

This is the way ^.

1 hour ago, Wishing on a star said:

Do they give a wristband?

Yes, everyone from child to adult who has completed the paperwork and met the minimum requirements gets a wristband.

2 hours ago, Asleep-In-The-Desert said:

I asked the rep what the OBC would be and she clearly stated $350.  I then got cut off.

I certainly understand the disappointment but am wondering could it be that the rep went on to explain that it could be $250 for a lower suite but you didn't hear that part because you got cut off?  I think it's a stretch to say they have wronged you in some way when you said yourself your call was cut off and therefore the remainder of the conversation lost forever.  I agree with you...it's too small of an amount to be upset about by either party.  JMO  

20 minutes ago, bobby3bobby said:

thank you! My granddaughters like to spend half the day on them and I don't think I would be able to afford that.

I would imagine that if they ever did go to a fee for access, it would be a one-time fee as opposed to a per slide fee.  But charging for access would be a very dumb business move on MSC's part.  Your granddaughters are going to have a ball!

No charge for water slides.  I just watched a video yesterday on WA and they showed the rates for everything at the water park.  No charge for anything except the swings.  I think the youtuber was mistaken.  What did they say the fee was?

24 minutes ago, cheeseheads4ever said:

 

Hello fellow cruisers!

We just booked our first MSC cruise on Seashore Feb 1, 2026 on a 4 night cruise.

I’ve read good and bad about MSC but as far as recent they have been better. We decided to do the cheaper cruise Bella and no drink package.

I have a list of questions I hope you more experienced MSC cruisers can help answer for me. If you would be so kind as to answer these individually I would appreciate it.

We did have a status match to celebrity so go into this cruise as MSC Gold status. We cruise mostly on Celebrity. We are 60+ and like to do stuff but relax too.

Questions!

1) Does MSC status match casino level on Celebrity too?

2) How do you know if premium drink pkg is on sale. When I go into manage cruise it just gives me a price of $280 per person. Someone made a post over the weekend that the package was currently on sale.  If it goes on sale does that price automatically go down or do I have to call and haggle for discount?  Sorry, you'll have to call.  

3) My DW doesn’t drink and I do so does she have to get the premium drink pkg even though she doesn’t drink? Does a doctors excuse help?  Again, you'll have to call.

4)Theme nights = Shine night, white night, any others? Just trying to pack accordingly.  We had a disco night, Hawaiian night, white night, gala night

5)We plan to book 2 specialty dining night one in the chop chop and one in steakhouse.  Not familiar with chop chop.

Do you have to pay extra for a 2nd entree in the specialty dining restaurants and MDR?  You can order as many apps/desserts in the MDR.  Extra entree is $5.00, I think.  In the specialty, you order from the fixed menu and get an app/ entree/dessert.  I can't remember how they up charge for additional entrees.

6) Any other tips and so on we should be aware of?  Use a travel agent!  If you booked directly, transfer your booking to a travel agent within 30 days.  You'll thank me later.  

7) Are there any extra perks being Gold status?  Did you get your 5% discount on your cruise fare?  This is the best perk at the gold level IMO.

Sorry for all the questions but never being on MSC just trying to learn about this cruise line.

 

OP, I've answered as many questions as I could in the text above.  I think you are starting off right by booking a 4 nighter to get your feet wet.  Seashore is a beautiful ship and there's lots to do.  MSC is different from other mass market lines...but we love them!...maybe because they are different.  A TA really is your friend when it comes to MSC...especially if you have to make calls to get things done...like price adjustments on a drinks package, for example.  You have plenty of time to plan!  Enjoy!

Thank you for the information. Yes, Celebrity check in is generally pretty quick regardless of category. And before the Retreat, upper suites definitely had some sort of curbside VIP area, on S class anyway. I think that went away with  the new terminal but since we aren’t using the new terminal, I wondered if it would be there. Not looking for different treatment, just want to make sure mother gets the full experience. 

2 hours ago, itsnotjustme said:

It's been what, 6 years

Imagine my surprise!  Lol. 

1 minute ago, KLM2000 said:

Did Preziosa and have her booked again next year.

Is this a sister ship to Meraviglia or Davina?

I'm taking my mother on Reflection a week from tomorrow and we received notice that our embarkation terminal has been changed from terminal 25 to terminal 18.  In the past when we've had an upper suite there was a VIP podium for curb check in outside the terminal.  Once you were checked off the list an escort appeared to take you into the terminal.  This was before terminal 25 opened.  I can't remember if I've ever checked in at terminal 18 and wanted to know if there's a VIP procedure for upper suites.  We are in a Signature suite and I just want her to get the full experience if it's available.  NBD if it's not available.  I think this is an RCl terminal.

@FamilyAtSea.travel I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the well thought out feedback and information you've provided in the review.  I have literally taken a few notes to share with DH...lol..

As we have no personal frame of reference yet, it's very helpful to know that you didn't feel as though you'd miss having a butler.  Our category is a penthouse so there are some perks but not the typical YC inclusions.  

I wanted to comment on a few of your points, not to counter them but just to add to the discussion.

1.  I am not a fan of the no main dining room on EJ for the reasons you described.  I think this is one thing I'm really struggling with and I was hoping I'd feel better about it but now, I just feel more validated than before.

2.  We find that clientele are different with every sailing.  I've been in YC with some snooties who as you say, were not my people and also in the Retreat with similar attitudes about money and wealth.  My mother has always said that those who have true wealth never feel as if they have to flaunt it.  It's a shame you encountered some shallow types on your sailing.  I would hate to think that your sample it representative of the greater pool of EJ travelers....because that isn't really our scene either.  I guess we will see.

3.  I think the biggest advantage to the smaller "luxury" ships is the itineraries they are able to offer because of their size.  All things being equal, I'd look not further than MSC and YC if their ships offered longer over seas itineraries that hit more off the beaten path locations such as some of the ones on your itin.  I feel like you almost have to seek out a smaller, more luxury line to get more interesting ports of call.  

Anyway, I am so grateful for your review and want to thank you again for taking the time to share your experience.

I sailed with my mom who was new to MSC while I was diamond.  We got one gift as I believe the gift was per cabin, not per person.  Not sure about the water as I've only sailed YC and water is included.

We booked an excursion to Atlantis via MSC and both start/end times were listed.  Beyond this example, we have only ever booked excursions with other companies...and the start/end times are always listed.  I wouldn't book otherwise as I like to know how long I can sleep in on the morning of the excursion.  Indeed, a strange practice by MSc not to list the times.

7 hours ago, itsnotjustme said:

So how was cabin 15100?

Great room!  Very quiet location. If I remember correctly, the thermal suite salt room is on the other side of that dead space at the end of the hall. We enjoyed the location very much!

Yours is not the first story I’ve heard where a customer booked one time/thing and it turned out to be something else…only to be told that they were not responsible. I’d say keep the refund and move on. The spa is not owned/operated by the cruise line and frankly, they just make Celebrity look bad sometimes. 
 

To @Brunzca’s point, I have a facial appt for my mom and me booked for 10am on a port day and I received an email confirmation. What does yours say?
 

Reservations are required but they can't be made before you board.  You can either check the app for when reservations open up or you can use any reservation kiosk (usually located near the elevators) by scanning you key card and selecting the show/time/people attending.  Some shows don't open up for reservations until 24 hours prior...this according to a recent youtuber's experience with getting reservations.  I won't be on WA until November so no first-hand experience yet.