razer

Today Dec 20 received this letter (enclosed) that this transatlantic cruise on the Seaview was cancelled due to operational reasons. Final payment was due to MSC Dec 19. MSC received full payment from all passengers and then announced a cancellation. If anyone experienced this or succeeded in compensation beyond cruise refund please let us know. We already booked our airfares to Point a Pitre and return from Milan. They do not indicate any compensation on airfares etc.

They took final payment and next day announced this change. Today I even spoke to an agent from MSC canada this morning before receiving this notice and asked to reconfirm my booking and she said all is in place and you are reconfirmed for April 7th. She even said the ship seems to be sold out. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated

Thanks, Eric and Sophie

 Letter toiday from MSC

December 20^th, 2023,

Dear Guest,

Thank you for choosing MSC Cruises for your upcoming holidays.

We are contacting you with an important update affecting your booking. We regret to inform you that, due to operational reasons affecting the deployment of some of our ships, we have had to cancel your Grand Voyage on MSC Seaside.

We know that you spent time planning your perfect cruise and we sincerely apologize for the disappointment that this will likely cause. We do not want this to get on the way of your holidays with MSC Cruises, that is why we are pleased to give you the following options:

-          Option 1: We will be happy to move your booking to any other cruise available on our website without paying a change fee. We will apply the pricing of the new cruise that you selected and you will need to pay the fare difference, if any, for the new booking – alternatively, if you select a cheaper cruise, we will refund you the difference.

-          Option 2: Alternatively, if you cannot find a sailing that suits you, you can cancel your cruise free of charge and receive a full refund.

Please, contact the MSC Contact Centre or your travel advisor for any further information that you may require and to update your reservation by 15 January 2024. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we are here to assist you in finding the perfect alternative for your vacation.

Best regards,

Same for us. Called the following and they will reconfirm your points. They have a technical problem. Call Engagement Center at 844-418-6824 North America.

Has anyone experienced this with Star Clippers. We cancelled the cruise directly with their office in Florida with their Rep Marc B. back in early September and now 9 weeks later no refund and  no reply to several e-mails. Cancellation was done within full refund window.

I will  seriously reconsider any future cruises with MSC due to their feeble refund policy. I have waited since March for a small deposit refund and yet still get the runaround. My advise is to start a credit card dispute and money will be redeposited to you by CC company while they try and retrieve the funds. MSC is pathetic in it's response and lack of goodwill. Hospitality industry is suffering greatly yet honor their commitments in many cases. MSC sorry ! Your done!😡

Honumaui,

Hope to meet you on board or Cozumel. We are doing a 4 day pre-cruise and staying at Westin Cozumel. Looking forward to this vacation and get away from this winter. We got hammered yesterday with 40 cm snowstorm. Mexico and the carib will be wonderful. We love our Cali friends. We sailed on the Surf 2 years ago and met up with great friends from Sacramento area and still stay in touch. Let's hope we all stay germ free. It's really the pits whats going on around the world and these understandable  precautions

You must be fans of Maui based on your handle!

Eric and Sophie 

We are sailing on the Surf on the 18th Feb and did receive this e-mail. Our issue with disqualifying you from the cruise due to an elevated temp > we are in the middle of common cold virus and  flu season both in Canada and US. How many times we've picked up a cold or feel under the weather after travelling to our destinations on vacation typically from flying. We have not traveled to Asia or been exposed to anyone with Corona but the flu season here is in full swing. We've had our flu shot but even a cold can give you an elevated temp  and  then what? 

The notification from Windstar is copied below:

"A new respiratory virus, called 2019-novel coronavirus, has been identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness that began in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Additional cases are now being identified in other countries. You can find updated information on the Centers for Disease Control's website.

The health and safety of our guests and crew is our number one priority. While none of our ships are currently sailing in any areas with confirmed cases, Windstar Cruises has implemented an enhanced health screening questionnaire for guests and crew to screen for possible coronavirus. Additionally, all crew travel through mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau has been suspended.
No one will be allowed to board a Windstar ship who:


• Has been in or travelled from or through China, Hong Kong or Macau in the 30 days prior to embarkation.

• Has within 30 days before embarkation had close contact with, or helped care for, anyone suspected or diagnosed as having Coronavirus, or who are currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure to Coronavirus.

Prior to boarding a ship, all passengers and crew will be administered a no-touch thermal scan to screen for fever. Anyone with a fever (≥38 C°/100.4 F°) will not be allowed to board the ship.

As a member of Cruise Lines International Association, Windstar maintains close contact with health professionals and regulators around the world and will modify policies as developments emerge. Additionally, Windstar Cruises has implemented its highest levels of sanitation on all ships.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent Coronavirus. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

* Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
* If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
* Avoid close contact with people who are sick, including sharing cups or eating utensils.
* Stay home when you are sick.
* Cover your cough or sneeze: cough or sneeze into your elbow, or cover with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
* Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
If you experience any symptoms of any illness while on board, please stay in your cabin and contact the Medical Center. Consultation charges will be waived. If you develop symptoms after leaving the ship, see a doctor right away.

In an effort to share information with you about traveler health, please refer to the attached brief FAQ. We look forward to serving you on board.

Thank you,
Windstar Cruises

FAQ's: Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV

Is Windstar currently sailing in any areas with confirmed cases of coronavirus?
No. We are currently not sailing to any areas with reported cases.

What are Coronaviruses?
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that usually cause respiratory illness. A new (novel) CoV was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and is called 2019-nCoV.

What is the current situation?
The new coronavirus is causing an outbreak of illness in the city of Wuhan, China. Additional cases have been confirmed in other countries including the United States. The situation remains fluid. Stay up to date by visiting the Center for Disease Control's website.

What are the symptoms of 2019-nCoV
Signs of infection may include respiratory symptoms, such as fever or feverishness, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties.

How is the virus transmitted?
Health authorities say it can be passed from one person to another through close contact, such as caring for or living with an ill person.

How can I minimize risk of catching or spreading a respiratory illness?
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

* Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the restroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
* If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
* Avoid close contact with people who are sick, including sharing cups or eating utensils.
* Stay home when you are sick.
* Cover your cough or sneeze: cough or sneeze into your elbow, or cover with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
* Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
What are the treatments?
There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for the new coronavirus infection. Individuals with respiratory infections should seek medical care to help relieve symptoms.

Is the new Coronavirus the same as SARS or MERS viruses?
It is a similar type but not the same virus that caused SARS or MERS.

What is the preventive action Windstar has taken?
Along with other Cruise Lines International Association member cruise lines, Windstar Cruises now requires each guest and crew member to fill out a health questionnaire specific to coronavirus prior to boarding the ship and undergo a no touch thermal scan to screen for fever. Anyone with a fever (≥38 C°/100.4 F°) will not be allowed to board the ship.

The sanitation levels on all ships are being elevated.

Guests or crew who have been in or travelled from or through China, Hong Kong or Macau in the 30 days prior to embarkation are not being allowed to board the vessel. Guests who within 30 days before embarkation have had close contact with, or helped care for, anyone suspected or diagnosed as having Coronavirus, or who are currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure to Coronavirus, are not being allowed to board the vessel. Additionally, all crew travel through mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau has been suspended.

If you experience any symptoms of illness while on board, please stay in your cabin and contact the Medical Center. Medical visitation fees are currently waived on board Windstar Cruises' ships for guests presenting with symptoms of the coronavirus. If you develop symptoms after leaving the ship, see a doctor right away. "

We regret having to deliver such disappointing news and on behalf of Windstar, we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. By copy of this email, we are asking your cruise counselor to call you to discuss the details and answer any questions you may have.

Thank you Libby,

The tour in Suva, did you buy it in advance or the day of the tour? Independent tour or cruise ship tour?

Noumea: Did you go to Amedee Island? I found someone that offer only transportation instead than all-inclusive and it is 6,500 CFP ($81.25 CA). Cruise ship all-inclusive tour (lunch-wine-bottom glass boat (free or paying???) is $190 CA

Thank you for your input. I posted info on Lautoka specifically for you...

The Canadians!:cool:

Hi Fellow Canadians!

We are on the Explorer out of Sydney on the 21st Feb. Great info from everyone. We rarely take excursions offered by cruise lines and will look into some of these private offerings. Some research required.

Hi All!

Thanks for the input on this thread. We too will be on this cruise and wonder what excursions to take. We are Canadians visiting friends in Melbourne and decided to extend our trip with this cruise before heading back home in March. All your inputs are great and I'll keep monitoring and hoping to hook up on this board.

We too a seasoned cruisers with Celebrity our favorite. Just started to look into this itinerary as we booked recently. Looking forward to all the feedback

Eric and Sophie from Mtl

Hi Ruth,

Nothing like posting from a pool side seat. Envy you with the weather forecasted here over the next few days in the Northeast. Having the March 20th cruise coming up on the Eclipse brightens everything. How's the evening from let's say 7:00pm onward around the atrium and how is the evening lounge from 10:00pm onward. Is the band and music ok? Is poolside band OK? We sailed Last Jan 2015 on the Eclipse on a 14 day and found the atmosphere very subdued compared to 7 day cruises and the band at the atrium and lounge poor. The cruisers were more on the elderly side( Majority 70+). Even though we are 61 and 56 respectively we still love an upbeat atmosphere. Giving another shot on the 14 day itinerary as the ports and destinations with plenty of sea days are our favorite to unwind. Enjoy the trip to Aruba another favorite on our bucket lists.