Morgsmom

I've been to GC many times (none on MSC) and you always have to tender. It is safe to say that everyone who wants to get off the ship will be able to do so within 1.5 hours. Generally in order to get tickets your WHOLE group has to go to the designated spot (usually a theater). It is usually slight madness at the beginning but then quiets out fairly quickly from my experience.

I'm sorry and, yes, it totally stinks. However it is rather common for prices to drop after final payment in order to sell unsold cabins. GENERALLY speaking, however, if you work through a TA and the drop is significant there can be an opportunity for some goodwill in terms of an upgrade. I have a lot of flexibility as I live in FL so have a wide choice of ports that I can drive to so I can wait until 60 days out in many cases to book. But even then prices will continue to drop.... Argh.... so I have learned (the hard way) to book when the price is right for me and then not to look again at the prices! A cruise ship does not want to sail with unsold cabins and unlike air, when last minute travelers expect to be gouged, just the opposite will happen.

thank you! appreciate the help

We are booked on the 30 September sailing and I am actually hoping that there are very few kids on board. As earlier poster mentioned, schools in North America will have just restarted, either in late August or right after (American) Labor Day. Parents don't usually pull children out of school that early and it is also Hurricane season in Miami during that time. On a positive note, the "few" kids onboard should get extra attention because (I am hoping) it won't be such a madhouse.

What is the earliest that you can walk off the ship with "priority" disembarkation when in Port of Miami? Trying to figure out flights for my stepson and when I can reasonably book without hanging around too long.

thank you!!!! I appreciate this as I was worried about room service

Oh, thanks for asking this question! I will be traveling in Sept with Hubby, Stepson (in his own cabin of course ;p) and another friend of ours (in his own cabin, too). We have the same package so I'll be curious as to what kind of service we will have.

PS - I'm pretty sure you won't see the kids much... maybe just at dinner

We did it because we got the mealtime drink package and the 12 vouchers each with the Fantastica package, which was worthwhile to us.

You're welcome!

 

 

I didn't realize how long they were getting till now. Debating on whether I should cut the next ones down a bit.

 

 

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No!! keep them long! it's more fun that way (and more informative)

Please, no flames from the folks who want to cite verbatim the "rules"... I get it. The rules also say no soda/water to be brought onboard but that doesn't seem to be an issue.

My question is has anyone brought at bottle on wine onboard at embarkation and had it taken??? (This would be at Port of Miami, if that matters.) I understand checking duty free spirits from ports of call, but am curious as to what really MIGHT happen in MIA if I am so brazen as to carry on a bottle (or 2) of my favorite wine which they don't sell onboard...

Since you are in the Caribbean, can you please tell me if they offered the opportunity to Upgrade your Drinks package while onboard? And if so, what the cost was? (was likely printed in the daily papers) I'm getting conflicting information and I'd love to know.

(not for me, oh heavens, no, but for my friend): My friend booked an Inside Cabin, Bella for 1 person. We booked last night a B2 Balcony. He was just assigned a B1 balcony... so YAY for him, but I'm personally a little salty because in all of my cruises I've never been upgraded.

His TA told him that it was "her doing." But I thought it was more of a random computer thing. Both of us are first time MSC so its not as if he was a more valuable guest...

In any case, the upgrade fairy lives. And gives away random gifts of kindness....

I had customer service (via online chat) tell me that for Fantastica, delivery AND food was free. Seems like that may have changed recently though.

Oh my gosh. I just booked last night and *assumed* that by free delivery the FOOD was free. I thought that they might be waving a delivery charge that was used to discourage ordering by folks who then leave and go to the buffet (which happens often on other lines). Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine PAYING for food service items. VERY disappointed if this is the case. :mad:

Booked the Divina last night and was told by my TA that even though final payment is not for another 3 weeks or so, we are IMMEDIATELY in penalty for the deposit. This ain't my first cruise rodeo but I have NEVER heard of this before. He indicates it's an MSC thing. Seems kooky to me. :confused: The whole point of "final payment" is that is when penalties should begin, IMHO.

Interested in knowing others feelings about this.

Our experience on the Divina tells us that calling the call center the stated line is no upgrades, but once you are on the ship you can upgrade at will.

 

 

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That is my impression as well. They seem VERY disorganized. Even my TA says their call center has a fundamental lack of knowledge

Here's where I am confused; I was told (as was my TA) specifically by MSC that you could NOT upgrade from the promo Cheers package.

Thank you all. I saw that post but then my TA called and was told flatly that this was not the case (on buying "up" to the next level) because the Cheers promo is an added value. I wish that MSC could get the story straight! I don't want to book, get there, and roll the dice as that would start off my holiday on a very sour note.

Looking at booking Sept 30th on Divina; the current perks allow for "mealtime drink" program. From past experience on Costa I expect the same type of "house wines and draft beer" to be available. :(

So, my TA called and asked if I could pay the difference to upgrade to the next level and was told no. It was the full fare of $45 pp/pd.

Can someone confirm if this is true?

So good to hear - we are going on a Panama Canal with Uncruise in October! Will report back afterwards.

I'm SO glad that I read a warning on the boards... I departed the Equinox on Monday and there was a balance which I agreed with. Then I checked my pending charges on my credit card the next day; still good.

So I go online to check a different transaction (bec I have a kid in college linked to my account and she tends to be a bit spendy...) anyhow, the X charge MAGICALLY went up by $9.38.

So I called the Captain's Club and was told there was a post adjustment from the mini bar for a $7.95 + grat charge. NOPE!!!! As a matter of fact, we asked our attendant to LOCK our mini bar on the last night and verify all was good. We did not take a single thing.

Apparently this is becoming an issue. :mad::mad::mad::mad:

How much, roughly, is the transport to/from Montego?

MoBay is an hour away from Falmouth. Would not recommend.

My fiance and I are getting married September 23rd :) and our plan is to go on the Celebrity Equinox Caribbean Cruise on September 25th. We've never been on a cruise ship before and there seem to be so many options that we're not sure where to start. These forums have been the biggest help so I decided to sign up and start asking my own questions.

 

-When would be the best time to book our trip? We are looking at the Concierge Class and want the "Go Best" premium package for the best price. Awhile back I saw the packages were free for that class but missed the sale. Any ideas if that will happen again? NO ONE except Celebrity knows that

-We are sort of foodies and are wondering if its worth getting the Ultimate Specialty Dining package or stick with a simple three meal and eat in the main dining the rest of the time. Completely up to you, but the food in the MDR (Main dining room) was perfectly fine so it really depends on your budget

 

-We have recently fell in love with snorkeling(and pending some upcoming training, Scuba Diving) and we are wondering whether we should book excursions early or on board? EARLY, no brainer on that one. You can always cancel if necessary

 

-Are the celebration packages worth their large price tags for honeymooners? IMO, no. There are much better things to spend your $ on.

 

-The real big question here is, we want to be able to eat, drink and enjoy the ship entertainment without having to worry about extra costs. What package or packages should we pre-purchase so everything is worry free? Your biggest bill might likely be for beverages, so the packages would be important. You might want to book now to get the cabin or category you want and then keep a look out for the packages to come back. If you are outside of the "final payment date" you can rebook at that time.

Thanks everyone.

First of All, CONGRATS.

Everyone is going to have their opinions, so these are just my own.

Got off Equinox on Monday; no bag in cabin.

On the Equinox this past week there was a separate toaster and special GF breads (SEVERAL varieties) at the breakfast buffet. It was away from the regular breakfast breads so you'd have to hunt it down a bit, but it was there.

I am NOT GF, but have a bad pineapple allergy. As a result I can't trust the tongs at the "cut fruit" stations so I stick with whole fruit. My DD is highly shellfish allergic; she would not have been able to even walk into the MDR on lobster night without having an attack.

I was on this sailing and didn't hear, or see, anything...