pdmlynek

Last week we did something similar, though not in Trieste. We arrived to board MSC Magnifica about 90 min before the sail time, or about 2-3 hrs after the check-in process was closed. The security did not want to let us through, but I had them talk to the crew, and was let on, and it was straighted out. I would not sweat it. 2 hrs should be fine.

But couldn't that be said of every other posting as well? 🙂 There are only a few issues that would make a person stop cruising in the future, but there are dozens or hundreds of little issues each of which has a tiny impact on plans to cruise.

Booked inside cabins, but was automatically upgraded to obstructed view cabins. MSC Magnifica, last week.

Yes, MSC Magnifica last week did. I had no idea before sailing if there was one or not; I love MSC cruises, but their lack of communication sucks.

Just got off MSC Magnifica. The final bill had a "hotel service charge" of 84 EUR. The guest services desk explained to me that it was a 12 EUR/day "gratuity". I told them, truthfully, that I already tipped my cabin stewardess 100 USD, and they agreed to take off the charge. And yes, I agree with others: I dislike forced tipping.

Last week when we embarked on MSC Magnifica, they did not ask for the health questionnaire. I think that this is just vestigal from the Covid days that they forgot to delete from the embarkation forms.

That was my understanding as well. Print out the questionaire and fill it out when embarking. I returned from the cruise last night, and when we embarked, nobody wanted the form from us. We did not turn them in.

The point of this thread is that the information on the website is not correct. Thus, checking the website does not make sense. The website is not updated (or at least it was not when @lola4795 posted the original note).

Well, sure, a cruiseship is easy to spot, but finding where to check in may not be easy. The cruise terminal in Valencia is actually several km away from where the ship docks. 🙂 Valencia is a working cargo port, and people can't just wander around trying to cut through a pier full of containers to get to the ship.

Can you please let us know how you've fared? Were you successful in renting bikes?

I totally agree. But here is what likely happened: Someone programming the computer that generated the ticket thought that he was being smart by including the coordinates of the port, and simply added the very approximate coordinates of the port, namely, quote 39°27'00N - 00°19'30"W" on quote. This is obviously an approximation, and the poor formating (namely, no double primes before N, and an extra double prime after W) shows that the service personnel either don't know how to use GPS or don't care. The coordinates 39°27'00"N 00°19'30"W are within the port, but far away from the real embarkation point, which is at 39.4549°N 0.3270°W (or 39°27'18"N 0°19'37"W). These coordinates provided by MSC are totally worthless. Any moron can google where the Valencia port is. What passengers really need to find out is WHERE in the port they are supposed to report to. Because Valencia is visited by cruise ships infrequntly, there does not appear to be a dedicated building to cruise passengers, so it took me some digging that we are supposed to go to a ferry building. Unfortunately, the directions provided by MSC to help people find the embarkation point by car are similarly useless. To wit: "Valencia Port is easy to get to and well accessed from the city center. Take the V30 highway if arriving from outside the city." Likewise, directions if arriving by plane: "Valencia’s Manises Airport is just 9 miles from the port. If driving, follow the airport road to the junction with the V-30 Madrid-Valencia highway, which will take you directly to the port." MSC does not seem to understand that nobody, I mean nobody, has a problem finding the port. However, nobody really knows where in the port to go. They are simply providing useless information, and useful information is not provided. I am not sure if MSC is so clueless, or if MSC is doing some sort of a favor to the Valencia taxi drivers (who obviosly know where the embarkation point is) . Anyway, I am looking forward to the cruise.

There are a number of websites that tell you what ships are schedules in ports. I typically use https://www.cruisetimetables.com/barcelona-spain-cruise-ship-schedule.html

Wow, I noticed that 2 days ago as well. I went to webcheck-in to change it, but in the web checkin they want it as MM/DD/YYYY, whereas on the ticket they want it in the DD/MM/YY format (just 2 digits for year), through they printed it as MM/DD/YYYY. I know that this is a really trivial error, that any official with two brain cells would understand, but I really don't like it -- this is how computer records get lost. I was planning on calling MSC today about several issues for our upcomming cruise, including this minor detail.

Thank you for posting this. I was wondering if I was the only one who has read negative reviews online. However, I also agree with @morpheusofthesea, @KKB, and others, that these are inconveniences, nothing that would make not take a cruise. I am looking forward to my first cruise with MSC later this month. 🙂

Yes, I've figured it out. No problem for me. I am just commenting that MSC services are not really all that helpful. 🙂

Thank you! I appreciate your help. I really wish that MSC would be more helpful on what transportation to take, and just exactly where the check in is. MSC just states the name of the port, but not really where to go to check in. They provide Lat./Long. coordinates, but those are in error -- they end up in an industrial tank farm. 😞

This is a very common question, which appears on this forum several times a month. Just read through this forum. But to answer your question, somewhere between 11:00 and 14:00 is the earliest that cruisers with Piraeus-ATH experience recommend. I lean towards the 11:00 side. If you are not checking luggage, you may shave off another 30 min. But remember: this is not northern Europe, and things go wrong much more frequently than what you may be used to, so extra time may be needed.

This is like the scene from Life of Brian!

I agree with @Milhouse: 30 to 45 min would be good for a leisurely pace. It took me, an out of shape, flat-lander, almost 60 year-old about 35 minutes to walk up the stairs.

I think that this is the right approach. Sure, you could spend weeks or longer exploring Barcelona or Rome, but the reality is that we are all limited. Asking how long to spend at one at one large historical city is aking to asking how much closet space you shoud have when designing your home, or how much money you should make to live comfortably: the more, the better. If you have 2 days in Barcelona, than you'll spend 2 days. I you have 3 weeks, than you'll spend 3 weeks. The questions shoul thus be: what shoul I see and do given my limited time.

Valencia wil be our embarkation and disembarkation point. Is the bus that you are referring to Bus No. 4? Do you know which EMT bus stop passengers should get on the bus? Manuel Soto Enginyer - Comandància Marina bus stop (39.4557N 0.3303W), or Ponte de les Drassanes bus stop (39.4550N 0.3300W)? I presume the latter, but I'd like to check.

I do not see much of a reason for concern. From your itinerary it is obvious that you like hiking. We are in our late 50s, not in the top shape, and we had 0 problem walking up the Fira stairs or back down. Walking down is a pleasant casual 20 minute stroll. Leave the cable car to the infirm, too old, or too young.

Thank you very much for your answers. This helps us.

Thank you very much for the explanations. I appreciate it.

KTEL The best guide to Santorini and its buses that I've found is https://santorinidave.com/santorini-buses