Acrobatu2

I was wrong on many topics about this ship, I had my best cruise vacation on board of the MSC Europa and I confirm there is a bar on the Top 20 lounge and is exclusive to Aurea guest. I wish I could delete this thread

Same in US, port fee are show separately.

unfortunately I booked the original cruise with MSC US, because I live in US now, so I guess I am stuck with the US office now, and I confirm that on the bookings the port fee are showed separately from the cruise fee. But you give me the idea to call directly the agent, she was a nice person, maybe she 'll help. Thanks.

Thanks for the reply. That will be great, and it makes sense, who knows if US costumers have the same protection rights.

I booked through the future cruise desk while on another cruise in the Caribbean, so I believe I used the US MSC terms.

Unfortunately my booking doesn't show a credit, actually show exactly the same amount in port fee and everything else, despite was rebooked the same day I did the final payment. I just don't feel comfortable to reach MSC again and touch my booking before the sailing. Anyway, thanks for the advice.

As stated in the title: I just find out that the port fee for a cruise with the World Europa are down by 50-60%. When I called the costumer care for make the final payment, last week, the operator saw two different prices (one 150 cheaper) but she couldn't figure out why. In the end I payed the higher price just for now realizing what really happened (the drop of port fee). I'm asking, please. if somebody with experience in a similar case have the issue resolved and how. What do you recommends? call back the costumer care, with the risk of rebooking with a more expensive overall price, or once onboard deal with the costumer desk an have maybe issue an onboard credit?

First at all congratulations on reaching so many goals and growth. I love MSC, the ship side experience is great, has the taste of "vacation". But I have to agree with the gentlemen writing before me: 1) IT needs a total revamp. 2) US costumer care is a nightmare, it needs to buried under a concrete casting 😁: they can't answer basic questions, they are often in conflict with each other, if you try to change diner sitting now your cruise costs 5.000 dollars more, often they can't pronounce Italian words, as ship names etc. it give me the sensation that I called the wrong number. 3)Voyager club need a boost, having the same status of somebody that did the status match leaves a bitter taste in any loyal costumer. 4) World America needs to be different from World Europa, the latter is a beautiful ship but is kind of anonymous, it misses a observation lounge (like meraviglia class) and a sport bar like the seashore. Please hire the Italian designer Piero Lissoni, he did an amazing job on the NCL prima. 5) Please, please, we need Galveston and Alaska cruises. Aside from those points, everything else is great: I love the food, I love the international vibe, I love the ships design and luxury, I love the continues challenge that make the company grow. From a 2 times MSC cruiser year round. Best regards.

It depends which drink package you have, Premium package is included, Easy not included, about Easy + I don't know.

Of course you are right, probably your opinion is different than mine because we meet and deal with different people from different background. Also I was talking in general, about the American people and I quote "most US tourists are scared about different cultures" not only Texan. But in the end, the fact that the majority of US cruise company resemble a "luna park" or because there are American "classic" venues around the cruise ports and inside the ships just for accommodate the US tourist is a tangible. But I was unfair to the Americans: I remember a friend of mine ordering a pizza in Greece while we were on vacation, and he ( he is Italian) complained so much about the taste of it, while all of us enjoyed our delicious Greek food, he constantly remarked for the rest of the vacation that Greeks don't know how make Italian food 🤣

I would love it, maybe they can offer an 11 days cruise, (not going to happen, unfortunately) I could cruise twice a year. IMHO I believe is not going to happen for one reason: Texans are a little cold towards MSC and European culture, they expect a cruise to be loud, colorful and not too different from their habits, an example: a Starbucks or a hooters kind business that is what are looking for. I was so confused to find a Starbuck and Hooters in Mexico, just too accommodate Americans expectations, also Starbucks and place like Guy fiery kitchen, are presents also on some cruise ships. I don't get what is the point to explore new places but to expect to find exactly the same venues and cultures that you just left behind, I believe it's because, most US tourists are scared about different cultures (hope to don't start a flame)

I really hope MSC will do it, I believe it's just a pipe dream. By the way everyone knows if it's possible for a 7 day cruise from Galveston to dock in Ocean Cay and dock also in Dominican Republic or it will be too far away?

The price that you see supposed already include the discount, perhaps a more experienced cruiser can confirm.

My wife got her discount only one time, it was combinable with the voyager club discount. She had to send an e mail with her license, her badge and 2 recent paystubs, I believe one of the requirements is not necessary (I don't remember which). anyway we got approved after one week and the final price cut down of 30% back then, now the discount is less. Their email is: mschealthcarehero@msccruisesusa.com But 2nd and 3rd time she was rejected because 2 time we had the casino discount, and 3rd time we had the "future cruise deal". About the future cruise deal I'm a little skeptical of their decision to reject, please if everybody knows more info about that, share your experience. Sorry for my grammar English is my second language.

I think as we say in Italy " the ship is sailed" it means that MSC had their" big opportunity to innovate", the MSC world Europa is already their future ship and their approach was wrong on my opinion, It seems that they they wasted good location and space for kids stuff, and actually, they are following RC. Example, their top 20 solarium is the worst of the fleet, and I paid premium for that (being in aurea experience), also the lack of a sky lounge is, in my opinion and according to a more conservative cruiser audience, a huge let down, (they used that space for the gym and the kid club; still is not making any sense to me, as a fellow cruiser noticed, why use a prime location for gym and baby club???). There are 2 deck with arcade games, on deck 8 and on deck 19, it is redundant. About YC you are totally right. And finally, I never praised RC, but I recognized that they know how to "risk" and innovate, did you see their "Pearl district" on board of the Icon of the sea? The Pearl district is so beautiful and magnificent, I expected that MSC came up with that idea. By the way, no hard feelings, I just was annoyed about how RC got so much attention and already sold out on the Icon of the sea. PS. I still believe MSC is a great company, and I will enjoy my time on board, (I love the new cigar lounge, spacious and classy). PPS. There is a secret location on board, you can access only by appointment and standing by an old London telephone boot, not kidding, is inspired to the prohibitionist era.

Yes, totally agree, anyway I didn't praise the RC Icon for its design but for its innovation and for setting a line. About the gin bar, I agree that there are gin aficionados, despite for me, gin and grappa is totally out, but I was complaining also that the gin bar is taking a huge space in the ship promenade. Anyway I believe I will give it a shot next spring. Thanks for the reply.

Actually the ship was jus delivered yesterday, but as I said seems almost nobody noticed. When I sailed the Meraviglia the lounge was all the time lively, offering free appetizers and good music, it's such a good concept that, the yacht club has their own sky lounge on every new ship .

I hope so, despite I'm Italian 🙂

I find the new ship to be very dull and lame. I love MSC but I don't understand their marketing and business model so far. The event of World Europa supposed to be hyped and get a lot of attentions, but instead the Royal Caribbean Icon of the seas has received tons of promotion and detailed videos (and really well made)from RC, explaining all the new contents, and all that, for a ship not even built yet. The reality is that the World Europa has very little to offer. Those are the main disappointing features that make me confusing (just my opinion): 1) Lack of a sky lounge like in the Meraviglia, instead MSC used the same space for the gym and for the KIDS CLUB, why??? 2) Top solarium for Aurea guest without a dedicated Bar exclusive only for Aurea. 3) Waste of spaces; why we need a bar only for gin lovers, is really gin so loved?? Also is redundant, already there is a malt lounge on deck 8, which I prefer. 4) The Pescaderia is another waste of useful space, already ocean key restaurant was underwhelming, why extend the same concept and adding a fish market... do really MSC believes that cruisers going to buy or to choose fish to bring in their cabin? Also who wants to smell fish while eating??? 5) the most embarrassing waste of space is the chef garden, really we need to grow basil and other herbs inside a ship? and after I read the menu I was even more skeptical, for example meringue for desert look so cheap. 6) K-pop, no seriously? 7) every bar is the same except for the name, I mean every bar suppose to offer different perks to choose from, for example a bar can offer hors d'oeuvres or tapas, another can offer live sports, a Nutella station etc. ( I loved the sport bar in the Seashore, with those little boots for watching sport tv) 8. Those voyager club points are really worthless, as already stated in this forum, I know is not related to the ship, just whish I had those point for Princess or RC now. ... I could continue for another ten points, but also I understand that in Europe and for Mediterranean cruises is more important the destination than the ship itself. Only good thing in this ships seems to be the Yacht Club. I just needed to take it off my chest and probably ask for any recommends if cancel my upcoming the trip in may, or just enjoy the cruise port in Europe, even I have been to every port except in Malta. Rant off

Can I ask you the contact of your TA and if He/She caters to the US market?

Thank you, it's a great news.

Unfortunately, it seems that the frozen drinks are not available altogether for Mediterranean cruises , despite having the easy plus packages, or even for the premier package.

What?!? no frozen drinks for Mediterranean cruises? I hope is a mistake, my favorite cocktail is the frozen Toblerone

You have to pay the full price plus the 15% gratuities, but many times, if you become friend with the bar tender they will close an eye 😁

I follow on that, I believe you need to have an universal remote or use an app on your phone if your phone has infrared connectivity, but I don't know for sure.