Bob7

Booked and fully paid United non-refundable flight overseas with one connection through Flight Ease. Later United cancelled first leg and Flight Ease contacted us to re-book, giving some options. Would Flight Ease allow the first leg to be re-booked on a code share flight that has a United flight number but is operated by another airline?

We booked flight ease to our cruise, saw the options for a flight home after the cruise, but didn't book it.  When we went back later to look at the return options again, we were blocked from seeing the options.  Called HAL who said cruisers have to book both ways at the same time.  Only way to do it after booking one way, is to cancel the flight to the cruise and start over (flights are paid for to avoid an increase).  Cancellation fee to do that is about $3000 (business class), so no way.

Have you seen this happen before? ... is there no way around it?  Hard to believe HAL would have a system that restricts their revenue.

7 hours ago, Smeecanada said:

Yes, can confirm there are buses.  $20.  Not an easy walk - quite a long way.  Some folks saw king penguins to the right of where the bus stops - they walked a fair way along the beach to see them though.  FYI there is washrooms at Gypsy Cove.  Better to go early in the day as the adults go out for food.  We saw some chicks and a few adults.

Hey Smee thx for the update.  I'm assuming it was $20 return, not each way.

On 12/27/2022 at 11:58 PM, Smeecanada said:

Hello

 

Have heard about a bus that you can get at the dock to Bertha's Beach to see penguins.  Has anyone done this?  Details on time, etc.?

We read about these shuttles too and emailed the tourist office, they replied that the shuttle buses go to Gypsy Cove, about 3 miles from Stanley where there are Gentoo penguins, but the buses are provided by the cruise line not the tourist office, and some cruises do not offer them.  They said it's an easy walk across the causeway if you are used to walking.  The Falklands "penguin lady" posted that Gypsy Cove has a small penguin colony year round with chicks from Nov to end of Feb.

On 1/15/2023 at 9:55 AM, hollon said:

I'm thinking about the Escape for a new england cruise, has anyone from this group sailed on her? If so, what did you think,  I always cruise royal and like the big ships but the itineary is better on the Escape.  Yes, I'm going for scenery, etc, but still love big ships

We just got off the Escape.  It's a lovely classy ship but not designed for scenic viewing, as there is no upper deck observation lounge at the bow, just deck loungers or stand at a railing, and quite windy there.  The bigger entertainments, comedians and theater shows, have to be reserved, which book up quickly.  If you get in the "no reservation" line 20-30 minutes before show time you will get a seat, they start that line going 10 minutes before the show.  If you are Haven class there are theater seats reserved for you up to showtime.  Specialty dining was completely booked every day up to 9pm at embarkation.  There weren't even any staff selling dining packages b/c they couldn't be used.  Pool towels have to be signed out and back in, $25 charge if you don't sign it in.  One stack of sign out sheets, and another stack of sign in sheets ... I doubt the staff compare all those sheets at the end of the day, and from other days, it would be a full time job.  Probably a hollow threat.  If you have the Ultimate Bev Pck it does not cover bottles of sparkling water, you pay full price for that.  The one they have is San Paligreno.  And it doesn't cover bottles of regular (still) water at the bars or dining room, that brand is Flow, but you get table water from pitchers.  But on the package there will be a 12 bottle case of Flow in your cabin, and a fridge to keep a couple cold.  It takes a long time to order drinks in the buffet, butter to get your own at the bar there and then find a table.  The 15 % discount in the shops for Gold level and higher has a catch, it's only for NCL labelled items.  Good food, loved our large 04 cabin, could not get into Tiano Bay, went to Nassau, captain is a riot, quite funny, pretty good jogging track, everyone noticed the weak cocktails, no buzz from them, order a shot separately and put it in if you like a buzz, lots upset with 25 % increase in tips, from $16 to $20/day, lineups to "adjust" it back to $16 or wipe them and tip on your own, skipped Great Stirrup Cay, tenders won't operate if windy, better to pick a cruise with a Cay that has docking.

Great info fellow Canucks, thx.

I'm assuming the medical center on board does the PCR test which has to be 2 days before returning to Canada ... was it hard to get a booking for it? ... can you book it several days ahead? ... cost?

Thx.

Using the August 24 upgraded app on an Android tablet software version 8, and got check-in done.  As another poster said, for the scan of your passport you have to make sure there is no glare, indirect lighting, both pages visible, and you'll get the green 'done" bar.  There was a stylus button at one screen, perhaps for manually entering data, but we didn't need it or try it.  For your security and profile photos, it says you can take a picture or upload them from your device.  The upload feature did not work, displayed a blank page instead of choices of photos, even tho' camera access was enabled.  So we got the photos we wanted on the desktop computer, enlarged to a good size, and took photos of them with the app/tablet, and they were accepted.  Had to reverse the camera, button on bottom right.

Got thru to payment with a bit of fiddling using Android tablet v. 8.  As others have noted, you have to make sure there is no glare on your passport for the photo, indirect light, both pages in the shot, then you get the green 'done" bar.  I did see a stylus emblum, perhaps for manually entering data, but didn't need it and didn't try it.  For security and profile photos it says you can take a shot, or upload them from your device.  I chose upload, but the app would not display the photos, empty screen.  So we pulled up the photos we wanted on the desktop computer enlarged to a good size,  and took pictures of them with the app/tablet, and they were accepted.  Have to reverse the camera to do that, button bottom right.  Not in a rush to enter credit card payment method for it to get hacked, but it has to be done before you can choose boarding time.

I just thought of a great addition to the OP's question, wished I'd tho't of it when it was posted.  When you tell us of your success with the app, say what device you are using (Android or Apple), and what software or OS version.  Anyone had good luck with Android 8?

Re: hassles with the Medallion app, we wouldn't mind doing embarkation through the yellow or blue lines on the app if that's only as far as we could get, except that one of the later steps on the app is to select a boarding time, and usually the earlier times before lunch are gone closer to the departure date, and the only times left are 1:00 or later, so you sit in the terminal waiting for your time. Just curious, can anyone recall if they got their boarding time when they were blue line, or was it part of getting green line?

I'm also shocked, with a miracle to report, unless this is a dream.  On Sept 11 we cancelled a Jan 2021 AUS/NZ cruise and asked our TA to request a refund of the $1200 deposit.  The refund was posted 9 days later, Sept 20, to our credit card.  Perhaps an industry record?  Maybe HAL likes us b/c earlier we requested and were allowed to move a deposit for another 2021 cruise to the same cruise in 2022, hoping South Amer will be open then.  That must be it, it's like a hug from a cruise line.  We didn't move the 2021 AUS/NZ cruise to 2022 b/c it only makes one stop in mainland AUS.  Bummer b/c we scored one of the huge balcony aft-facing cabins on deck 5 of the Ooster.

On 9/6/2020 at 7:13 AM, amyr said:

The good news is that someone else asked a version of the same question in a thread about Caribbean itineraries, and AtlantaCruiser72 said that in normal times these itineraries would have been out late May, and they had recently published Oosterdam's Fall 2021 itinerary and were sending her over to Australia then, which I had somehow missed.   So at least they have her heading over in what looks like a normal Oosterdam winter itinerary.  If it works out, that means she'll be heading back in (our) spring, and that's the cruise we'd like to be on after driving around New Zealand for a while.  As my grandmother would have said, "The good Lord willing and the creek don't rise."

Yes that's encouraging that the Ooster is already down under Nov-Dec of 2021, a good chance it will do AUS/NZ Jan-Feb 22. We've got the Ooster Jan 2021 but will have to cancel shortly, borders closed and iffy flights, might hang on if final payment was later. Bummer to cancel b/c we scored one of those aft facing VB's on deck 5 with the huge balconies.

Amyr we're in the same 'boat' as you, looking for Aussie/NZ Jan 2022 with at least 2 mainland AUS stops, but no HALs offered.  Just the old NCL Spirit Jan 4 and some high end ships for 5-6K pp.

Princess cancelled Nov cruise, requested refund of deposit July 24 thru TA, refund posted to credit card Aug. 30.  Pinch me I must be dreaming.

On 7/24/2020 at 6:38 AM, dexddd said:

(snip)The large TA we use seems to have been obliterated.  Contact seems to be with limited staff out of Mexico.  Waiting for response from Tuesday email to TA but very near to card dispute.

Curious which large TA is largely MIA?  We usually use 2, one that rhymes with Snooze.com and one that rhymes with CruKong, who still seem to be handling things properly.  When one of our cruises was cancelled our booking rep from Snooze was on the phone the next day to explain options.

8 hours ago, jstrutton said:

Update from our situation which seems very similar to everyone else.  Our cruises were cancelled in March and we submitted requests for refunds on 16 March and 31 March.  Only response we EVER got was the standard email that our refund would be processed in 60 days.  Gave them their time, called several times and got canned answers but still no refund.  About mid-June, we had enough so processed a Visa chargeback.  They immediately applied a temporary credit back to our account and contacted MSC.  MSC has until 18 August to do something otherwise it will be become permanent.  Can't imagine how they would dispute it but who knows, we will see in 3 weeks.  We really like MSC but refuse to throw more $$ at them until this is resolved.  

Our chargeback story is similar, with a surprise ending.  Called Visa May 23 to discuss delayed refund and ask their advice.  Visa said the delay did not adhere to their vendor guidelines (20 days), and suggested we start a chargeback immediately.  Didn't need to twist our arm.  Visa said MSC had 60 days to dispute the chargeback after which is would be permanent, same as your story.  Temporary credit went on our cc acct the next day.  Then after 35 days the credit moved to the permanent column, and is still there after 62 days.  Don't know why it went permanent way before the 60 days was up.

On 6/25/2020 at 10:15 AM, cruisingator2 said:

(snip) I was just under the impression that we would have to wait the entire 8 weeks for no response.(snip)

Yes Visa wrote us that MSC had 60 days to dispute the temporary chargeback, after which the credit on our acct would become permanent.  We're at 4 weeks.  CruisingGator2 it does sound like MSC decided not to dispute the chargeback, making it permanent.  I would have expected MSC to dispute the chargeback and tell the cc that the refund was "coming."  Maybe the card told MSC that "coming" is taking too long.  Their suggested timeline is 20 days.  Anyway good news.

For anyone hesitant to bug their cc about a chargeback, we found Visa very understanding and helpful, we asked their opinion about doing it and they suggested we go ahead with it right away.  They were on the same page and we certainly didn't have to talk them into it, and anyway we didn't plan on forcing it if they had other suggestions.  Perhaps they regard card holders as their primary customers and not vendors.

An update, Visa agreed May 14 to look into a chargeback, and on May 23 our card account showed a provisional credit for the amount MSC owed us. A bit later we got a letter from Visa saying MSC had 60 days to dispute the chargeback with Visa, and if there is no response from MSC by then the credit will be permanent, which is essentially the same as CruisingGator2 was told by her card.  If MSC contests the chareback Visa said it will contact us immediately with the info. Visa said they may ask for additional documentation from us to make their decision. Visa will also provide us with copies of any documents they used to make their decision.  I expect when Visa has a deadline they stick to it.

23 hours ago, Caledonia Boy said:

@Bob7 It is now day 84 since we got off the boat and day 88 since we were given our letter of refund by the captain. Not so much as an email from MSC or Sunwing. I know that MSC has given the money to Sunwing, the Canadian tour operator, more than 2 weeks ago. When I call Sunwing, they don't even know what department to put me through to.They are nice, polite and empathetic but they just can't help.  

I found the CEO, President and VP of Customer Relations emails. I emailed them all over a week ago and nothing. One of the funniest things was that the head of customer relations email kicked back saying that it would only receive emails from other Sunwing employees. I guess they really don't care about their customers after all. What a surprise.

It will be a frosty day in Hell before I deal with Sunwing again. 

 

Good luck all

Caledonia boy

Are you calling your credit card?  They'll want the date of the original charge so they can look it up.

3 hours ago, Tara619 said:

Well, the credit was pending on my actively used credit card from 5/19-5/23.  Today, it has disappeared and did not post. Where did my refund go? Now I’m angry. What should my next step be? Call Chase or MSC? I have screenshots from when it was pending.

Yes I'd call Chase, it's their issue.  I wonder if MSC saw the chargeback and told Chase they'd do the refund now, and maybe Chase removed the credit since MSC's refund is "coming."  I wondered what would happen if many weeks after we get our credit card chargebacks , MSC sends the refund b/c they are so lost they don't even know about the chargeback.   Let us know what Chase says.  So many plot twists, it's like a crazy show on TV.

Hey refund buds, I called my Visa card a week ago to get their advice on what to do with MSC dragging their refund feet. They said they allow vendors about 20-30 days max to process refunds, and my April 2 refund confirmation was well overdue. (BTW sailing date was Sept 2020). They said they would investigate this with MSC, and today a full chargeback credit was on my card. I wonder if they had as much trouble dealing with MSC as we've all had, and just went with the chargeback.

A bit of a footnote for Caledonia and Catamo, the other Canucks, here, I booked thru a USA TA like Caledonia did, which showed up on the MSC USA site, but later MSC transferred the booking to MSC Canada, who were just as confusing to deal with as the USA office. I don't know which MSC office Visa ended up trying to deal with.

So y'all are invited up to the Observation Lounge at 5 today, we're buying everyone a round with this refund money, and the one with the most exasperating, frustrating, confusing story gets unlimited drinks. There may be a few of those.

Good luck everyone, happy sailing.

-Bob7

Hey Rob, thx for your refund report, and happy sailing. You too Tara619. PSMarkle you are the first to get a refund for a sailing date after March, a very nice sign for us post-March cruisers. Is it time to get hopeful?

2 hours ago, Rob-Bob said:

I have some good news.  I have a pending credit showing on my CC account.  The credit is for my final payment on my 3/22/20 cruise that was cancelled.  The credit is for the correct amount of my final payment that was made in early January.  I did make my initial payment 14 months ago on a different credit card.  That credit has not shown up ($198).

 

This certainly is a step in the right direction and hopefully those with cruises cancelled in mid-late March will start seeing refunds.

Hey Rob, MSC threw us a bone, and you got it you lucky dog. Now we can all be wagging our tails waiting for the next bone, and that could be you GatorMomInNC with a claim date of March 2, or Misand with a sail date of March 16, depending on whether they are doing them by claim dates or sail dates. Some of us have both ways covered with both claim dates and sail dates in March like Rob: ... SirWolf, JansArts, DexDDD, NameThatFunnel, Cullyman15, JStrutton, and Catamo. And a whole bunch of us have claim dates in March for later sail dates.

On 5/11/2020 at 10:53 PM, cruisingator2 said:

Same story for me. MSC cannot give enough information for their CS reps to at least be consistent. Yesterday I disputed my charges. This morning I had an email from my cc company. They issued me credits for the disputed amounts and will be going after MSC. If MSC decides to ban me it’s their loss and not mine.

(snip)

 

Nice to be done and have that off your mind.  Thx for letting us know.

9 hours ago, Beardface said:

Its gong to be a while before the money comes, but you will get it.

 

I mean think about it pragmatically.  The entire fleet has basically been mothballed for 2 months now.  17 ships that have a total double occupancy (according to Wikipedia, so it could be slightly more or less) 58,156 passengers.  Every week that's the number or people who are supposed to be on their ships.  So if you factor in that we've been on this haitus for about 8 weeks now, (and factoring in that ships would not be sailing in full capacity, and some ships sail 2 week cruises) that's around 250k to 500k refunds that MSC needs to issue globally, and that number increases by 20k=50k per week.

 

Believe me, the refund department of all these cruise lines are not vast, nor has it likely been streamlined at all in the past.  And that is during a time when they were able to get all their employees into the office to collaboratively work together.  So now this entire industry is stress testing a system they intentionally did not want to ever utilize while the vast majority of their workforce is working remote.  And this is why you are seeing these kind of "where is my refund" threads pop up all over Cruise Critic.

 

It sucks, but have some patience.  The refunds will come, and the companies aren't being nefarious.  They just don't have the capacity to handle the demand for refunds they are seeing right now, which is creating a massive bottleneck of getting the requests processed and sent.

Beardface, I think most of us would agree with that, the prob is that MSC has offered various stories about how they are handling the refunds, and none of them are working out. If they had a consistent plan that was paying off within their own timelines, even the long timelines, and explained what they were doing, we would be ok waiting. But the way it's being managed no one has much faith anymore. But the new refund posted just now gives hope that they are getting on the ball.