Joiseymom

On 4/19/2023 at 8:53 AM, fluffybunny22 said:

It looks like I found the proper form and emailed and faxed it to the department for existing reservations. I got an auto generated response. How long does it usually take for MSC to transfer the booking to the TA?

Way too long. It can take a month or they can lose it. MSC reps and policies are horrible 

5 hours ago, KellyCz said:

Sorry, @WannaCruise365. I didn't know Piazza del Doge was only on the Divina. Just took a look at another ship, the Meraviglia, and it has something in a similar location called "Jean-Philippe Chocolate & Coffee" which looks similar. Does anyone know if the food there is included in your cruise fare (like Piazza del Doge)? Is there something similar to PdD on the other ships?

Their food is extra.

3 hours ago, mackfam said:

What is the best option for getting to Newark airport following the cruise for a 1:30pm flight?

I'd say MSC transfers if they have them or Lyft/Uber/taxi

On 4/18/2023 at 6:59 PM, DGP1111 said:

That description of the classic favorite French Onion Soup definitely got my attention, as I've never once dined anywhere that included the addition (even a 'splash') of liquor.  Interesting variation on a theme. 😀

Many are made with wine. YOu can't taste it (well shouldn't be able to).

On 4/18/2023 at 10:13 AM, JAGR said:

You are not seriously listening to and believing what a land-based MSC adviser is telling you, are you??!!

 

Well, not many other options. You look at reviews and you get 20 or more different ones. If you call to speak to a rep...geez..you are lucky if they can spell MSC.  LOL

1 hour ago, JamieLogical said:

 

That is no longer true. As of a couple of weeks ago, you now only pay the difference. The caveat being that if you bought the Easy Plus package back when it covered $9 drinks, you only get a $9 "discount" on drinks over $10. Even though any drink $10 and under is now covered.

 

 

Our MSC DBM had training in my office a few weeks ago. I specifically asked this question, and was told nope. LOL.  This company changes their mind like a "filli in the blank".  SMH

On 4/10/2023 at 9:59 PM, cruzlover said:

Thanks so much for your Live Report. We’ll be boarding Apr 29 from Brooklyn. Thanks as well for the bar list. I read the following and it sounds like you can get a drink and just pay the difference, meaning you can get a $16 drink for $6 if you have the Easy Plus Package. This is not what I understood to be the case. Wondering if you could get confirmation on this. 

 

“Upgrade Your Drink Choice
If you’re thirsting for a cocktail, favorite spirit or special glass of wine that’s not included in your purchased beverage package discounts are available to ensure you quench your thirst.
Easy Package holders
save $ 8 on all beverages $ 8 or more.
Easy Plus Package holders
save $ 10 on all beverages of $ 10 or more.
Premium Extra Package holders
save $ 16 on all beverages of $ 16 or more.
Enjoy your beverage package responsibly and treat yourself to a discounted upgrade.”

No, they do not allow this. If you buy a drink not in your package, you are paying the full price of the drink.

On 3/31/2023 at 7:18 PM, Bgwest said:

My MO is much like yours except that in exchange for the TA provided rebate, I try to do as much front end work as I can. I feel like if the TA is willing to share their commission with me, it is incumbent on me to save them as much work as possible. 

I typically do as much as I can then transfer to them. 

It seems from all I've heard that dealing with MSC is as much of a pain in the rear for TAs as is it for we consumers. 

It's worse for TA's.

57 minutes ago, discru said:

Thank you.  That's what I tried, but they said it was unclear. Found another place that lists it, so sending that one in this morning.  Might have to look through drawers for a Key to the World Card next.

Strange. We did a print screen of it the same way both me and my husband, several months apart and were both matched within 24 hours.

26 minutes ago, discru said:

What did you use to prove your Castaway Club Status?

I went into my CC account and printed my status and number and sent it to Msc. I did this before Pearl.

Ok, first cruise, Diamond status match. Want to do Butchers Cut for the dinner. How does this work? I gather we book once we board. What are the options for the dinner? Is it the limited menu as if you purchased specialty dining? Thanks!!

1 hour ago, Morgsmom said:

Ok, reading through this again because I didn't get the Travel Agent part before.  (TA can also be TransAtlantic). 

You have a free cabin (score!) to, presumably, get to experience the cruise line and sell it to the masses.  And then the 3rd party company sent you an upgrade offer. 

 

So you, as a travel agent whose job it is to know the rules, wants to know if they can circumvent the "no upgrade" on your free cabin policy because they are offered the opportunity to bid.  And instead of asking the BDM the OP solicits advice on the boards as to how to sail in YC for about 75% off the current prices (based on free cabin + 2 upgrade bids). I just want to make sure that we have the facts.

But what's odd is that the bidding algorithm is supposed to take into account the original price paid.  In that case the starting bid for Guest A might be $450, while for Guest B it is $750.  Since this is a comped room the system seems to be flawed... Oh, right, it's MSC 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

This is a 100% question they should have gone to their BDM for, not a publlc forum.

2 hours ago, Gatordad1967 said:

so instead of asking someone who knows their job, you are soliciting the advice of random strangers on the internet.  Makes sense.

 

Absolutely. It's a TA question, not a question for here. 

9 hours ago, AtSeaWithChris said:

I did read the terms and I don’t see that statement. Can you show me where it says that?

 

https://upg.plusgrade.com/terms/partner/9Ck2Ks4MSC?lang=en

Wow, I am not talking about the upgrade bid offer. I am referring to the terms and conditions of the TA offer. DId you booked this, “TA GFT ONLY” promotion for the NY sailings?  Read those terms and conditions. If you didn't read those, then I have to ask, how long have you been a TA??  

10 hours ago, alyssamma said:

Do you have a link for this?

 

And obviously this isn't correct as the OP received an offer to upgrade. And once you are in a YC cabin, you have all YC benefits. Period.

Really? Are you a TA? This specific offer from MSC clearly states in the offer, I am not posting from the TA portal here, as I do not think its appropriate. Here is a cut and past from the terms and conditions from the TA offer, Bookings are not eligible for upgrades/Bid UP. Just because MSC systems automatically sends you a bid offer,d doesn't mean you  are eligible. It means MSC has crappy IT.

12 hours ago, mackfam said:

Are you saying that taking the subway then ferry from Manhattan to Red Hook on a Sunday morning will be a problem?

It will suck with luggage.

On 2/28/2023 at 7:49 PM, NCMtnBoys said:

We're on the Meraviglia 5/21 and I just automatically assumed we'd be departing out of the Manhattan cruise terminal but later learned we'll be departing out of the Brooklyn terminal. I didn't even know there was a Brooklyn terminal. This'll be our first cruise out of New York. We'll be flying in/out of LGA and spending two nights pre-cruise in NYC so don't need parking anywhere but if we'd planned to park at the port, WHOA, $45/day is outrageous!

 

   

Parking in NYC/Brooklyn is the same, and yes...all $$$. Welcome to the Big Apple.

On 3/28/2023 at 5:06 AM, AtSeaWithChris said:

If we accept would we get all YC benefits like drink and wifi if moving from a TA free cabin?

Did you read the terms and conditions for the TA free cabin? It clearly states NO UPGRADES. 

15 minutes ago, Slyfox16 said:

If you are Platinum on Princess, Select on Celebrity and Gold on Marriott how do you know which would give you a higher match status?

There is a chart on the thread about matching. You can see there what happened to others.

Disney Platinum to Diamond. Response was within 24 hours.