ddlb

13 hours ago, KIMMER322 said:

Can you tell me if you had to pay in full when you booked or just put a deposit? How much if only a deposit?  Thanks! 

When I got my booking I was given three days to pay the $99  deposit (solo)and was told by the MSC rep I had until March  7 to pay the balance which is 75 days or so before the Cruise. 

However, I got an email the day after I made the deposit stating if I didn’t pay the balance within seven days they would cancel my cruise.  I posted on this forum for  advice and the bottom line was PAY and don't call MSC so I did. Would have preferred to wait so the charge would be on my next credit card billing. 

Plus you can always get it back in a casino slot 😀 by cashing it before you lose it all!

Wow thanks everyone!  Great photos too!  

I would really appreciate the  pro and con remarks of this cabin.  I booked it and I’m really excited about it on deck 14 Seaside. I saw a great youtube on the cabin.  However  I am  bit concerned about the elevator if it is really noisy or a long wait.  I know it will involve a lot of walking which is ok too. If you have any helpful hints they would be welcomed. Also I am a bit confused on the anytime dining is it in the main dining room?  I understand there’s a dining area for Aurea suites but I may want to dine with other people not included. 

In YC you get an Espresso machine. It is excellent!  

3 hours ago, Avatar345 said:

Never heard of the MyVegas app before but I sort of understand the logic here - as a follow up to all this though I've heard/seen that you can play in the actual ship casino as well and earn rewards/discount vouchers? Can anyone explain if/how that works? 🙂

The only thing I’m familiar with is I play seven different my Vegas apps. They are bingo, blackjack,konami,pop,mgm,myvegas facebook slots, and myvegas slots. You can play them on an iPhone or iPad or a laptop or an android phone. You link them with your Facebook account so all the points each app accumulates the total. You get free coins every day to play with you never have to spend a penny. Ayou accumulatr points by playing. I’ve got over 6 million ValuePoints I have a “system” 😀 so 200,000 

Value points points for 30% off an MSC cruise is a deal!  Google explains this a lot better than I can explain here.  People Playing in the casino on  the ship use real money get are free cruises by accumulating points or time played etc. 

6 hours ago, mscdivina2016 said:

It's their system. Do not call!!!!

Just pay or risk so many things to go bad.  

It almost seems like extortion when I read it here.

😂 I know!  You convinced me!

This is the number I called, but they still had to transfer me to the casino concierge. Then they insisted I email a copy of the reward and assigned a number to it. 

I got an email from MSC today Feb 13 saying if I didn’t pay my balance in seven days my cruise would be cancelled.  When I booked the cruise I was told final payment was due March 7 and that is what it shows in my booking. My cruise is for May 21. I would prefer to pay March 7 but on the other hand, I sure don’t want the cruise cancelled.  Is this a normal practice of MSC? If I call, I might get the wrong answer. If I paid in seven days, that would be three months before sailing so maybe payment  is required?

1 hour ago, xcell said:

Google it, there's some examples -- whether or not it is the same as what MSC is offering, that's an entirely different issue.  Did it say it had a min number of people that needed to join?  I saw that the Cape Canaveral one needed min 30.

I did try but nothing seemed to match. Well maybe there will be more info on it closer to my cruise. Thanks for the info. 

I have a late afternoon flight home from my MSC cruise. I saw this excursion, “pontoon lagoon cruise” for 3 1/2 hours. It’s $72 since I have to pay for a shuttle back to MCO anyhow it wouldn't be costing me that much more and would beat sitting at the airport.. My question is, has anyone ever done this? There’s no information about it except that it’s 3 1/2 hours. Would you recommend it?

Maybe it had to do with me booking through MSC on the phone.  Well I called them and made the deposit.  All is well.  Thanks. 
 

Thanks i just wish they wouldn't give you the option and it doesn't work 

I have the option to pay online the deposit for the cruise I selected but it doesn’t work. My booking shows I have to pay the deposit by February 13. Do I have to call MSC to make the payment? I’d rather do it online it’s checked but there’s no follow up information to provide my credit card info. My paperwork shows final payment isn’t due till March 7 and I don’t want to pay the whole thing until then.

9 hours ago, shellunderwater said:

So no YC with the 30% MyVegas?

 

If not, I won't be trying MSC...... 

 

Sigh

I was disappointed that. I could not use my 30% off coupon with the yacht club. However, I was able to book a aurea premium  suite with the aft wraparound deck using their included drink  and Wi-Fi package cabin price at 30% off. This includes their thermal spa!  You may want to consider that option. I have never done an aft balcony let alone a solo cruise so this will be interesting to say the least. Will probably get the option to upgrade, but I’d have to pay double for the yacht club bid. 

12 hours ago, mowogo said:

If you took advantage of the status match it is free.  Otherwise you have to pay

I matched platinum NCL and got gold MSC status. Will check to see what all i get.  Thanks forgot about that. 

4 hours ago, Cruiser933 said:

Can you book directly with MSC and use the 30% discount or do you book through MyVEGAS? If through MyVEGAS, do normal cancellation policies apply or does MyVEGAS charge a cancellation fee?

If you use your myvegas  value points to purchase an available MSC  30% off discount you are emailed instructions and a form to fill out and they will call you. It does have a phone number that I called and gave them my code for  the 30% coupon but they do transfer you to the casino concierge.  It was involved. I had to alsoemail a copy of the award. 

2 hours ago, HardToPort said:

Hi DDLB,

 

You have probably chosen a dining time during booking. Solo’s are generally seated with a group at a larger table. You likely won’t have to do anything. If you’re seated alone (highly unlikely) just ask the maitre’d for a seating change.

 

One note … don’t ever put up with dinner companions you don’t feel comfortable with. If the group vibe isn’t for you request a seating change. This is a common occurrence for cruise staff and they’ll switch. Just make your request during a quieter time, not during the dinner rush.

 

Most cruises have solo meet and greets as well. Don’t be afraid to stick your nose in, have a drink and mingle. Cruisers are generally very welcoming.

 

I often have the opposite issue. When I travel alone I’m really looking to catch up on reading, relaxing and “me time”. However, people see a solo traveller and with good intentions will try to invite me into their group. It can be a delicate balancing act to keep to myself without offending very kind people.

 

Solo travel isn’t for everyone, but travelling alone doesn’t mean being lonely if you put yourself out there.

 

cheers!

Thanks for the great advice!

On 2/8/2023 at 9:31 PM, mowogo said:

Was fortunate to be assigned to sit with a bunch of solos for my current cruise. Made it a lot more bearable when getting my birthday cake tonight having a bunch of other solos to share with. 

Wow this is good news as this cruise is my birthday gift to myself. Hope i get to do same!

I just booked my first ever solo cruise and chose  the Aurea experience. Pretty nervous I must admit. I would love to sit with others for dinner. How do I arrange this?

On 2/8/2023 at 8:33 PM, mnpurple said:

@ddlb Let us know if you can book YC with it.

Ok you CAN’T!!  I just made my booking for my 30% off and ran into problems and was finally told it can no longer be used for a yacht club cabin. So I booked a Aurea SL1with easy plus pkg and wifi on the Seaside so I will get the thermal spa too. 

16 hours ago, B&P!!! said:

Thanks for posting this! I sail on my first MSC on Sunday and have been thinking about booking another onboard.

 

How do you book this? Anyone know if you can use this discount if you book onboard?

Yiu have to play myVEGAS apps online for fun that accumulate value points for free and wait for cruises to be offered as rewards. It’s all done online and all kinds of rewards are offered. 

17 hours ago, mnpurple said:

@ddlb Let us know if you can book YC with it.

I did before with no problem. It’s 30% off whatever cabin you’re able to get that is available. Mine was for 30% off fir two people but not the port charges!  

Wow i used a 30% one several months ago. Worked out excellent for the yacht club.  I received 30% off the current then current price which included $200 obc. Very happy. So Today I discovered the myvegas apps are offering the 10% 20% and 30%. I got the 30%!  Only 200,000 points too.