graphicguy

Just like in life, we always here of the malcontents and grungy part of peoples’ behavior. Mostly, there are good people in the world that try to help. Just like this guest. I hope whatever mental condition this lady is suffering from, she gets help. This cruise is nothing but a blip that is a sign of her illness.

Hey lady! Thanks. You’re more than welcome to hijack anytime. Will do a little casino action. I’m not finished with holding MSC to their published promo, yet.

Not really willing to argue this since it’s too obvious. But….. You’re saying a balcony cabin is only a balcony cabin if it’s not in the Yacht Club? So, think about what you said…..”EVEN THOUGH IT HAS A BALCONY, IT IS NOT A BALCONY CABIN”. Think about it again and again. Semantics much? The EXACT wording of the promotion was “FREE BALCONY UPGRADE”…not “get a Balcony cabin for an interior price” as you stated. Although, that would work, too. I have an interior cabin and am holding them to their promo that I should get a free balcony upgrade. It did not state….”Free Balcony Upgrade” (but not for Yacht Club…not even in small print…no asterisks, either). Nowhere on the site did it say…”promo does not apply to the Yacht Club”. It says that NOWHERE! As an aside, they’ve removed all mention of the Free Balcony Cabin Upgrade promo. Fortunately, I printed it out. Sent an email to MSC’s U.S.A. Exec office. And, wrote a letter to the CEO of MSC U.S.A. They can hold my feet to the fire with their payment rules and regs. I’ll hold their feet to the fire by having them adhere to their promotions they advertise.

Where do they state that? I looked extensively. Have not found that exclusion. Only thing I saw was MSC trying to get reservations by promising Free Balcony Upgrades…no exclusions!

BTW...here are the financials..... Yacht Club Experience (Included) $325 USD Onboard Credit (Per Person for XXXXXXXXXXXX) Note: MSC $200; ADC Gift $125 Cruise $ 1659.52 Taxes & Fees $ 140.00 Total (USD) $ 1799.52 Total Paid $ 199.00 Final Due By 2/3/2023 $ 1600.52 Please pre-register at www.msccruisesusa.com to obtain your electronic boarding documents. CRUISE DETAILS Cruise Line MSC CRUISES Ship MSC SEASIDE Deck PLAYA PARAISO DECK Itinerary CARIBBEAN AND ANTILLES, 7 NIGHTS Start Date 05/14/2023 (7 Nights) Dining Open Category / Cabin No. YIN - MSC YACHT CLUB INTERIOR SUITE / XXXXXXXXXX

Just spent an hour on the phone with MSC customer service...first with a regular rep, and then, her supervisor. Both admitted they saw the "free balcony upgrade" promo on my reservation. But, neither could actually apply the upgrade to my reservation. I did, however, get a lot of dancing around the issue...ranging from.... "....you'll be upgraded at the pier when you check in..." Not buying that. I can imagine me going toe-toe at the pier with a check in agent and getting hauled off by pier security. to "...you're in the Yacht Club, which is already an upgrade...." Eh.....what? I paid the Yacht Club fare to be in the YC. to "....If you were in an inside cabin, you'd be upgraded to a balcony cabin..." Uhhh...I an in an inside cabin and, as you say, I want to be upgraded to a balcony cabin, like your promotion promised. I asked them to refund my deposit since they won't adhere to their promo. They said it was non-refundable. I said they lied to me about their promo. We're at a stand still. Not finished with them, yet. Need to send this up the ladder to see if they're going to stick to their promo they advertised.

^^^^ Totally agree, Gary and Henry. Good posts! Two things jump out at me. First, it is indeed flu season, and regardless of how many precautions the cruise lines make, some people are going to "fudge" their health questionnaire and not disclose they may be ill, which is a real shame. Second, health facilities on a cruise ship are not, and never were, cost competitive with land based health care. One should check to see what their personal health insurance does or doesn't cover prior to boarding. Be it on a ship or in a foreign country, many insurance companies limit, and even disallow medical bills outside of one's home country. Travel insurance should cover these bills, however.

This thread is misplaced. There’s nothing here that anyone can do about those who wear masks. If you feel strongly about it, send a letter to MSC. We can’t help you in here, as we aren’t the ones who make policy (if it is policy). If someone wants to mask, I respect their right to do so.

What a great review. Thanks ever so much. Nice hit on the slot, too.

Thanks. Apologies, I did not have the Day 1 daily. By the time I realized it wasn't in my cabin, it was already late in the day, so I didn't bother my steward about getting it for me. Sorry!

I think they’ve “tweaked” their status match procedures over time. When they first entered the North American market, they were trying to get guests on their ships, given they were viewed as a “new” cruise line (and yes, I know they had been sailing in other parts of the world). Now that they’ve established themselves in FL (and soon, NYC), it looks like they’re using status match to lure and/or retain a certain cruise customer. Who that is and how they decide that is a mystery. In my case, I’m quite surprised they’ve extended my status match even though I have not sailed them in several years. But, maybe I’m their target. Getting me back on their ships by extending my status with them. I guess it worked. I just booked them after a 5 year hiatus.

The woods to the left…the woods to your right. You’ll find “facilities” there that are expansive. Not sure what you’ll get bit by. But, be brave!

Hey Ted….WOW! Great find! MSC has been offering great solo fares the last few weeks. That Inaugural out of NYC will be sweet!!! Looks great!!! I just scored one May 14. @JamieLogical….Jamie…just came from Costco, saw this, and thought of you! 😉

Agree. NCL is good at marketing, though. It's even a Spring Break Cruise during hurricane season. So, taking that into account, it's not a good deal, at all!

Just double checked....it is for the Escape. I misread it the first time. Did a mock booking and got the 10% discount. Decent fares, not great...even with the discount. Actually, doing a double look, even with the discount, fares aren't that good, at all.

Oooops, just posted this in another thread. I have the same coupon. Just looked at the fares. Didn’t do a mock booking to see if they actually subtracted 10%. Still, Encore is a great ship and the fares aren’t bad with the 10% (if it’s really 10%) discount.

Yeah…they matched me before I ever cruised on them, too. But, this was when they first started with the status matching promo about 5-6 years ago. NCL Platinum was matched to MSC Black Card (now Diamond). Thought it was temporary. But, I see the status match promo still exists. I just booked a new cruise, but it’s the first one on MSC in 5 years. I notice I’m still status “Diamond”, good through 12/2023.

Didn’t want to start a whole new thread for this, but check your NCL accounts. Apparently, NCL is pushing the 4/16/23 Encore sailing with a 10% off coupon in your Latitudes account. Just a heads up!

Thanks for your review of Ocean Cay. Have heard it’s great!

Will do. Never know with cruise lines. I’ve had success holding NCL to their advertisements, but never MSC. That said, I’ve never tried with MSC, either.

As @Georgia_Peaches likes to post, here are the financials and reasoning of this booking. I like deals…not necessarily cheap deals (although I have just come off the cheapest 7 day cruise I’ve ever taken a few weeks ago), but good value deals. Good value for the cruise line. Good value when compared to other cruise lines’ sailings on the same itinerary, same/similar dates, same/similar cabin and perks. And finally, a good fare value. I like to sail in the Spring. It kicks off my Summer in a positive way. Hurricanes don’t bother me. Ships can sail around them. Or, in worst case scenarios, the cruise is canceled. I have been sailing a long time (first cruise was on the NCL Norway). I’ve only had once cruise canceled because of a hurricane…and that’s over 30 cruises. You can view that a couple of different ways. Either I’m quite lucky, or I’m due. Either way, I’m not scared. Fresh off the NCL Breakaway to Canada last month, having had a great time, I immediately started looking, again. I have a problem. I’m aware of that. I’m retired. I’m an empty nester. I have nothing that restricts me from taking a cruise almost whenever I want. I’m willing and able to do so. So, with all that in mind, I search for cruises whenever possible. I’ve only taken 2 MSC cruises. One out of FL on the Divina 6 years ago (when MSC was just starting to sail out of North America). The other in the Mediterranean 5 years ago with the (then) GF, my son, my sisters and assorted nieces and nephews. All were in the Yacht Club. I was status matched at the time to my NCL status (I think Platinum, which changed to Sapphire recently). MSC matched me to “Black Card” status, their highest ranking. That has since changed to “Diamond” recently, but still their highest ranking. Not exactly sure why. MSC would send me an email every once in a while stating my “status” was going to expire. But, every time I looked, it never did. No difference this time. Even though I haven’t sailed with them in 5 years, my status still shows Diamond, good thorough the end of 12/2023. OK…if you say so. When I took my last MSC cruises, the YC was relatively cheap compared to NCL’s Haven, Royal’s Star Suites, or Carnival’s Havana Suites. As word got out about them, prices rose to the point where they were no longer a “deal”. Back on the cruise hunt. If I could have pulled it off with flights, dog sitters, etc, I would have stayed on board the NCL Breakaway from my Canada itinerary for a repo cruise, and still be on her right now, sailing towards New Orleans. The deal was that good. C’est la Vie! The new hunt has been on since I dropped off my luggage in my laundry room to wash out the old cruise diddys to await my return to pack it again for a new cruise. So, found one. Right…right…quit “back storying and pontificating”…just get to the deal… All rates are for a solo… -May 14th-7day cruise out of Orlando on the MSC Seaside in a YC inside cabin. Fare=$1,519+$140 for tips and fees-Gross total $1,659. TA is offering a $125 discount=$1,534 MSC is offering $200 OBC AMEX Platinum…nothing…nada….MSC does not recognize (more like won’t pay for) that AMEX Platinum perks. There’s a little bit of a glitch with one of MSC’s perks. This was booked when MSC was offering a FREE BALCONY UPGRADE. Look as hard as I could, I saw NO qualifiers on their web site. My TA says MSC won’t allow the upgrade in the YC. She’s still working on this with their booking managers. So, we’ll see where that ends up. There’s a long winded explanation of how much it will cost. The ship’s itinerary is one I’ve done many times before….EXCEPT….Ocean Cay, which is MSC’s marine preserve, which I understand is fantastic. Plus, we stay docked there overnite, meaning I can hang out there and enjoy it’s evening entertainment of a light house show, food and drink menus, and just wander back to the ship without worrying about it leaving. Looking forward to that.

I try to book near elevators whenever possible. It’s so convenient vs navigating the hallways. Never had an issue with noise on any cruise or cruise line. Plus, those cabins are easier to find given people’s erroneous belief that they are noisier.

Would love to see you again, Dave!

Pricing is crazy good on this one....especially in the Yacht Club. A little too early for a live report, but will probably start a separate thread for that when the time grows near. Will have more details later. Congratulations! You are all set to sail aboard the MSC Seaside sailing on May 14, 2023 - 7 NIGHT - Caribbean. This e-mail serves as a temporary confirmation. An official invoice from our agency confirming your reservation details (including your pricing and amenities) will be emailed to you within (7 days/24-48 business hours (please note that this might take longer). Once you receive your invoice, be sure to look it over for accuracy.

Way off topic, but I cruise....a lot. Taking my phone, my tablet, my headphones, my cables, etc....that takes up a lot of room. Wherever possible, I try to cut down on weight and space in my luggage. Family, friends, and some here, always seem to question how I get by with just carry on for a 7 day cruise. Tech wise, I like little, easily stored accessories. All of the following, together, fits in a pouch smaller than a small cosmetic bag and can be used anywhere. https://www.anker.com/products/a2625?variant=41093993103510&ref=bf https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Universal-Multiple-Gold-Plated-Connectors/dp/B07XQ5V94Z/ref=sr_1_5?adgrpid=1344703291738589&hvadid=84044194281049&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=61374&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-84044314387177%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=25937_13486704&keywords=multi-cable+connector&qid=1668545470&sr=8-5 https://clutchcharger.com/collections/clutch-chargers...this charges my iPhone, my iPad, and my Air Pods. I buy these for people at Christmas. Small, light, and does the job. They have a version for Android items, too. Shameless plug, if you use this Code, I get points and you get a discount (on top of what they already offer)......DANIEL85418 Hope this helps someone.