98Charlie

My experiences (38 cruises) have been that the ships arrive and dock "about" on time. There are many other factors that can cause a ship to be early or late. You generally are asked to be back aboard 30 minutes before the listed sailing time.

If you have purchased a shore excursion through the cruise line they will either meet on the ship or assemble on the pier. You will get instructions with your tickets in your cabin

Grand Cayman is a tender port. The ship will not dock. You will be taking a smaller (tender) boat to shore. Again if you have a ship excursion you may meet somewhere on the ship and be escorted as a group to a tender or be told when to meet at the pier.

Having said that, my first MSC cruise is coming in May. I'm going with the thought that they handle things the same as the other 5 lines I've been on.

Charlie

We moved decks and from fwd to aft. We checked with our 1st leg steward when we boarded and were told to just pack everything and he would see that it got to our 2nd leg cabin.

Did as told and on the last day met with other B2B'ers in the dining room. Old cards taken and new ones handed out. Off through customs and straight back on. Welcome aboard champagne for the B2B group and a group photo. Went to the new cabin and everything was there.

Leaving your luggage outside seems like a real good formula for not having it on board for the 2nd leg:eek:

Charlie

I understand that the Divina uses English as the primary language on their Caribbean itineraries. But have any recent cruisers found a predominant 2nd language being used by passengers?

Charlie

Just a follow up from my last post.

After I posted I decided to check my status on the MSC site and found I was now gold.

So I called MSC and talked to guest services. Kevin said he couldn't check on what happened but he would forward my information to the Voyager Club and they would be contacting me in 24-48 hours.

Today (the day after the 48 hours lapsed) I was getting ready to call but decided to check the web site first. Lo and behold it's back to Black. Never did get a call or email.

So I've taken a screen shot of that page and will check back occasionally I guess.

It is my understanding that the cruise docs are sent to my TA about 2 weeks before the cruise and she will forward them to me. Hopefully they will indicate the Black status.

Charlie

Is this true for water as well? I had been thinking about bringing my own water bottle for longer excursions, but it sounds like it might be a pain.

A water bottle should be fine. Just drop it in your shore bag.

Charlie

Sounds like you've been approved 3 times!

I sent mine in using my Platinum NCL status. After a couple of weeks I called and they said "You're Black". I checked my booking right after the call and it showed up.

Charlie

Check with your banker. It will depend on the card (Freedom, Sapphire, etc.) and may depend on the state you live in with different banking regulations from mine in Ohio or somebody in another state.

Charlie

I had one experience (Mazatlan??) where a restaurant refused a $20 because there was a red mark on it. Fortunately I had enough to cover the bill anyway.

Charlie

No exchange needed really. I have yet to encounter a port where USD are not generally accepted by even the smallest of merchants.

Do check with your bank about foreign transaction fees for using your credit card ashore. Never, ever use a debit card.

Charlie

The ATM is always the best solution for exchange rates. Just check with your bank about any fees they may be charging.

Are you going to the mainland? If it's just a stop in Roatan you really don't need anything other than USD unless you want to collect some coin and scrip from countries you visit.

In that case you can probably exchange a dollar or two with a merchant. Just know the current exchange rate. Right now a dollar gets you about 22 Lempira.

Charlie

It's a common complaint for some. Take the light sweater or a wrap. Better to have and not need than need and not have.

Charlie

Edited to add: Just saw your location. My guess is you'll feel a chill more than someone from the upper midwest where we put the top down on convertibles at the end of winter when the temp hits 60º :)

I've seen a few passengers with their own mugs. Never considered it for myself. I grab a clean cup/glass when I want something to drink.

Charlie

It is my understanding that no beverages may be brought on board MSC. Having said that I would contact them and ask about the quinine.

It wouldn't hurt to contact you physician and have him write a prescription for it.

Charlie

Have you considered getting in the evening before and using a stay/park/cruise deal? We do that whenever possible.

Charlie

Taxi $85 Fare Finder Here

UberX $40 Fare Estimator Here

UberXL (If you have lots of luggage) $80

Shuttle Services $15-20 pp

Charlie

OP-

You have already stated that you tip generously. I have absolutely no reason to doubt you. It really seems that your argument is with the cruise consultant and possibly the cruise line for hiring and training inadequacies. I can certainly agree with being upset when a representative of any business says one thing only to find out that it is incorrect.

I would suggest that you talk to the cabin steward and wait staff on your cruise about the disbursement of the service charge. If they agree with what you have heard on "Rip Off Britain" go to the service desk and get the necessary paperwork for a refund.

On the other hand if they satisfy your curiosity about the charge you leave it in place and consider the job done.

Personally I would consider it a waste of my time to get worked up over the situation at this point. I would have better things to do such as daydream about my coming cruise.

Just my 2¢ worth.

Charlie

Here's a link to a blog with the Divina menus. I didn't see a date but it's more than I've found anywhere else.

Charlie

Lot of 2 4 1 BOGO deals are now sold out. Prices have gone up or only cabins in crappy location left.

Yup. We booked ours a couple of months ago when a balcony was going for the price of an inside. It's up about $200 pp now.

Charlie

canajo - Thanks for the post.

With the pricing offers that MSC is making now (like the balcony BOGO that prompted us to try them) there are a lot of new-to-MSC cruisers. It they haven't encountered the lighting interlock system before I doubt that they are going to do a search for "how do I turn on the lights":D

Charlie

Sounds like the passport agent is not going to relent even if you can show her the regulation.

I guess l would seriously consider finding out the hours of the next nearest agent, make an appointment if you can and do the drive.

Alternately contact your US Congressman's office s/he has a staff that helps with all sorts of issues.

How much time do you have before the cruise?

Charlie

If it gets down to $20, I am buying.:cool:

Could happen. But the last time RCL was that low was in the fun of '08.

Even with today's nose dive RCl is up nearly 50% in the past 2 years.

It may well be a fork in the road for the company. They can fill the ships with a reduced fare (and watered down product) or try to fill the niche between mass market and luxury lines.

That's my 1¢ worth. (It was my 2¢ a while ago but it's taken a beating too:p)

Charlie

The one thing I haven't been able to comprehend is what the payment would be if an insurable event (itinerary change) occurred.

It says

will be reimbursed up to the Maximum Benefit shown on the Confirmation of Coverage.

If you're in one of the states where a change prior to departure is insurable what is the damage other than possible disappointment?

Maybe I'm just dense (one of the kinder things I've been called:rolleyes:)

Charlie

I've done Stingray City 3x now. Different cruises with different people. They've always enjoyed it.

Never went out by Waverunner but it sounds like fun.

Charlie

It seems that the real problem is a ship or cruise lines unwillingness/inability to seat a single diner alone.

I seldom read when eating. But all comments about rudeness aside, I wouldn't want the background noise of table chatter when I'm reading.

And, yes, someone should not be denied the dining room experience just because they want to eat solo.

My 2¢

Charlie

I often sail in the "cheap seats" of the lower decks. The only time I can recall any sewer odor was on a ship that was having a plumbing problem with the vacuum system on a cabin near ours.

It was fixed in short order.

Charlie