Cuba.....uh, oh.

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

30 minutes ago, Wyoming2010 said:

 

Is this from the MSC website?  If that's what Oceania offers, I'm out.  We've done them all

 

Scroll up to post #332 from MSC direct... and it's also on their us website. Costa Maya for the Jamaica one and Key West for Roatan ititnerey.

[abbeytravelstheworld]

So annoyed with Costa Maya. For those of us doing a back to back it's now almost the same cruise both weeks

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

Just now, abbeytravelstheworld said:

So I just rang Msc regarding our cruise departing 17 June. I wanted to ask since its a back to back if we get $800 obc rather than $400 and they have zero Information that any compensation is being offered or what the new ports are. How can that be since the rest of us have figured it out! This was their Australian office which is who you get when you call through from New Zealand. This is getting more hopeless by the minute.. 

Don't know. TA seems to be getting information late. It's on MSC website for us, on here and my TA has it on their website now. 

[abbeytravelstheworld]

1 minute ago, AerynSun_JohnCrighton said:

Don't know. TA seems to be getting information late. It's on MSC website for us, on here and my TA has it on their website now. 

I'm a TA myself and it's still getting me nowhere lol

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

Just now, abbeytravelstheworld said:

I'm a TA myself and it's still getting me nowhere lol

I know. It seems the social media and stuff got the information before the TA did.

[BermudaBound2014]

1 minute ago, abbeytravelstheworld said:

So I just rang Msc regarding our cruise departing 17 June. I wanted to ask since its a back to back if we get $800 obc rather than $400 and they have zero Information that any compensation is being offered or what the new ports are. How can that be since the rest of us have figured it out! This was their Australian office which is who you get when you call through from New Zealand. This is getting more hopeless by the minute.. 

 

Inconsistent information is one of the biggest complaints that appear here. Don’t feel hopeless though, eventually MSc will communicate with new zeeland office. I know that’s probably no consolation and I do feel for you. I’d be very frustrated too- MSC isn’t a good fit for people who like to be well planned.

 

Do you have one booking number or two for your b2b? Unfortunately, my guess (and it’s just a guess) is that prior to cruising you’ll be told $400 if you only have one booking number. I “think” you may be able to plead a good case once onboard.

 

Hopefully MSc is reading this thread and realized that their competition is handling this much differently. MSc still has time to step up their game.

[Wyoming2010]

4 hours ago, Jayhawk said:

OT but hoping you guys can quickly help. We leave tomorrow (2 days in Miami prior to cruise on Monday), no idea which of the two ports we'll get - Key West or Costa Maya (hoping for the latter). Never been to either but been to all the other ports on our remaining itinerary.

Will stop by those ports boards but honestly, have very little time to research given flying out in <24 hours and still at work.  Top favorite things in Key West or Costa Maya to share?  TIA!

 

Costa Maya -- Chaccoban Ruins

Key West - Do the Conch Train and visit the Little White House, Hemingway's Home, Sloppy Joe's, Southern Most Point in US and Shipwreck Museum, just to name a few.  

Edited June 6, 2019 by Wyoming2010

[Rou-Dyliq]

In Costa Maya we did the Chacchoben and Kohunlich in a single tour - it was fascinating and I liked the masks especially with the original paint still evident.  There are also a tour I saw to two excavations I've never heard of, but sound like something I'd like to do - Dzibanche and Kinichna.  There's also a Spanish fort in the area, a butterfly farm, and you can do the usual things like ATV excursions, and catamaran sailing.  I could have sworn I saw one for visiting caves and swimming in a cenote last time we were there, but I can't find it now.  There's also Lake Bacalar, which is unbelievably beautiful (I've been there).  It's known as the Lake of Seven Colors and while the ocean beaches are dirty, this place is not and it has sandy beaches it's just on fresh water.  It ought to be close enough to visit while in port, but you might want to check with a tour guide to be positive.  There's a lot of fun stuff to do in the area.  I highly recommend the Chacchoben and Kohunlich sites.  I am somewhat challenged with mobility - I have a bad hip - and I was able to do everything except climb to the top of the temple for a photo.  They were just too high and shallow for me.  Although I heard they aren't letting people climb up there anymore.  

 

I haven't been to Key West in 35 years so can't help there. 

Edited June 7, 2019 by Rou-Dyliq
forgot a word

[Jayhawk]

Thanks all!  Working on Native Choice tours for ruins now.  You guys rock.

 

[abbeytravelstheworld]

3 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

Inconsistent information is one of the biggest complaints that appear here. Don’t feel hopeless though, eventually MSc will communicate with new zeeland office. I know that’s probably no consolation and I do feel for you. I’d be very frustrated too- MSC isn’t a good fit for people who like to be well planned.

 

Do you have one booking number or two for your b2b? Unfortunately, my guess (and it’s just a guess) is that prior to cruising you’ll be told $400 if you only have one booking number. I “think” you may be able to plead a good case once onboard.

 

Hopefully MSc is reading this thread and realized that their competition is handling this much differently. MSc still has time to step up their game.

Sadly just the one booking number. I haven't been able to get an answer out of them today yet so still unknown. Do we think the itinerary after 17th June for the next week will be the same as for 10th June?

[sidari]

With just one booking number you are likely to get just $400, if you had booked the first week and the second a few days apart as we did for our last B2B you would have had two booking numbers, you would have then got 2 x $400. I guess it would not hurt to try and see if they will play ball and give another $400 for the second week.

[emerald6273]

Wish MSC UK website was updated with same info as MSC US website. Notice information relating to future reservations and itineraries up until August 2019 posted on news section of MSC US website. MSC UK website news section as yet mentions nothing about future reservations. Also wonder when anyone sailing beyond August 2019 like myself will have confirmation of updated itinerary. 

Edited June 7, 2019 by harv2015
Addition

[Cauzneffct]

1 minute ago, harv2015 said:

Wish MSC UK website was updated with same info as MSC US website. Notice information relating to future reservations and itineraries up until August 2019 posted on news section of MSC US website. MSC UK website news section as yet mentions nothing about future reservations. Also wonder when anyone sailing beyond August will have confirmation of updated itinerary.

 

Our sailing isn't until March of 2020, and last night they sent an email giving us the revised itinerary . . . for the June 10, 2019 sailing.  Which isn't even the same (original) itinerary as ours (ie, its the Jamaica/Cayman whereas we were the Roatan/Costa Maya).  In any event, the replacement ports aren't really enticing so we're going to cancel.

[emerald6273]

37 minutes ago, Cauzneffct said:

 

Our sailing isn't until March of 2020, and last night they sent an email giving us the revised itinerary . . . for the June 10, 2019 sailing.  Which isn't even the same (original) itinerary as ours (ie, its the Jamaica/Cayman whereas we were the Roatan/Costa Maya).  In any event, the replacement ports aren't really enticing so we're going to cancel.

My UK travel agent hasn't heard anything from MSC UK. They contacted MSC UK on my behalf today who still were unable to give them any info or confirm sailing is affected despite me knowing different. If we cancel would lose deposit.

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

37 minutes ago, Cauzneffct said:

 

Our sailing isn't until March of 2020, and last night they sent an email giving us the revised itinerary . . . for the June 10, 2019 sailing.  Which isn't even the same (original) itinerary as ours (ie, its the Jamaica/Cayman whereas we were the Roatan/Costa Maya).  In any event, the replacement ports aren't really enticing so we're going to cancel.

Yeah, us too. We got the Roatan ititnerey for July but got email with the June 10th one that's not even our stops... lol. 2 hrs later we got another email stating what is already on our TA website and MSC website from yesterday. Our account still has Cuba as well... 

[Danobair]

We'll I guess it's official, MSC's web has itinerary changes for the next few months. 

Not to be greedy. but $400 per cabin, not bad, but does that include the $75 per person Visa fee?

 

Its not the destination, its the journey.....But we REALLY wanted to see Cuba.

[Beamafar]

MSC doesn't charge the visa fee in its fare - it would have been added as a charge to your onboard account so, no, the $400 OBC does not include the $75 as its not owed to you.

Edited June 7, 2019 by Beamafar

[CTurtlelvr]

Oh, I see for the further out cruises like mine, they added Grand Cayman, not Key West: 

Mon, Jul 29, 2019: Miami, Isla de Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel, George Town, Miami 

 

My immediate family can probably live with that.  SIL might be disappointed, but she has non refundable air fare, otherwise we would have prob switched to Seaside.  

[Host Jazzbeau]

15 hours ago, Jayhawk said:

Thanks all!  Working on Native Choice tours for ruins now.  You guys rock.

 

 

I highly recommend Native Choice.  We did their combo tour of Chacchoben Extreme Tour, which includes both the Chacchoben ruins and the Seven Color Lagoon.  The lake isn't as colorful now as when it was named, but the resort they take you to is very nice and it makes a relaxing stop after the more strenuous ruins.

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

13 minutes ago, CTurtlelvr said:

Oh, I see for the further out cruises like mine, they added Grand Cayman, not Key West: 

Mon, Jul 29, 2019: Miami, Isla de Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel, George Town, Miami 

 

My immediate family can probably live with that.  SIL might be disappointed, but she has non refundable air fare, otherwise we would have prob switched to Seaside.  

I'm glad we are earlier so we have Key West. Cayman is too crowded for our tastes this days and we've done everything.... I'm not a all day beach person either.

[Mattnvick]

21 hours ago, Jayhawk said:

Thanks! That sounds like a good recommendation. We'll be beached out by then, not as much fun as the classic cars tour though 😞 .

Any particular operators you'd recommend for a day trip?  (We don't do ship tours.) I'll head over to the CM page too.  🙂

 

Is there any particular  reason you dont do ship tours?

 

 We did an MSC tour of the Kohimlich ruins in Costa Maya in April. Its about a 2 hour drive and hence the reason we didn't want to go with a private operator (if there is an issue with a ship tour  the ship will wait).

 

They gave us water and a packed lunch. I think we were the only tour there. IThe ruins have a nice lot of shade and the tour guide was excellent.

 

Really enjoyed it and it was run extremely well and i think maybe $10 more than a private one. 

Edited June 7, 2019 by Mattnvick

[Wyoming2010]

WOW, got our notification from Oceania, and we were very pleasantly surprised.  Have only been to two of the ports (San Juan and Antigua) and they are worth repeating, but all the other ports will be new for us.  Won't get off at their island though as once was enough for us.  Here's what they offered.  It doesn't specify what the "significant savings" are though:

 

Dear Valued Guest,

We would like to inform you of a change to your upcoming voyage to Cuba and the Caribbean.

As you may be aware, the U.S. government enacted new restrictions on travel to Cuba and as a result, we must adjust our itineraries to immediately remove all Cuban ports of call. Due to this change, we would like to present you with a new itinerary for your planned voyage along with significant savings off your current cruise fare. Additionally, the price of Cuban Visas that you have purchased through Oceania Cruises, will be refunded.

INS191012		Previous Itinerary					*NEW Itinerary*
Date	Day	Port	Country	Arrival	Departure		Port	Country	Arrival	Departure
12-Oct-19	Sat	Miami FL	USA	7:00 AM	6:00 PM		Miami FL	USA	7:00 AM	6:00 PM
13-Oct-19	Sun	Key West	USA	8:00 AM	11:00 PM		At Sea	At sea	--	--
14-Oct-19	Mon	Havana	Cuba	8:00 AM	11:59 PM		At Sea	At sea	--	--
15-Oct-19	Tue	Havana	Cuba	12:00 AM	11:59 PM		Gustavia, St Bart’s	French West Indies	11:00 AM	6:00 PM
16-Oct-19	Wed	At Sea	At sea	--	--		Fort de France, Martinique	French West Indies	9:00 AM	7:00 PM
17-Oct-19	Thu	Cienfuegos	Cuba	7:00 AM	11:59 PM		Castries	St Lucia, West Indies	8:00 AM	6:00 PM
18-Oct-19	Fri	Cienfuegos	Cuba	12:00 AM	2:00 PM		Basseterre	St Kitts and Nevis	9:00 AM	7:00 PM
19-Oct-19	Sat	Santiago de Cuba	Cuba	10:00 AM	11:59 PM		St. John's (Antiqua)	Antigua and Barbuda	7:00 AM	3:00 PM
20-Oct-19	Sun	Santiago de Cuba	Cuba	12:00 AM	5:00 PM		San Juan	Puerto Rico	8:00 AM	2:00 PM
21-Oct-19	Mon	At Sea	At sea	--	--		At Sea	At sea	--	--
22-Oct-19	Tue	Nassau	Bahamas	8:00 AM	5:00 PM		Great Stirrup Cay	Bahamas	12:00 PM	7:00 PM
23-Oct-19	Wed	Miami FL	USA	6:00 AM	5:00 PM		Miami FL	USA	6:00 AM	5:00 PM

We hope you find this new Caribbean itinerary and special pricing compelling. However, if the new itinerary is not to your liking and you prefer to select another voyage, our cruise specialists are ready to assist you.

If you would prefer to make any changes please contact us prior to June 14, 2019.

We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your assistance in facilitating this change to your voyage.

Sincerely,

Carlos Ortega

Vice President, Passenger Services

Oceania Cruises

Edited June 7, 2019 by Wyoming2010

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

Look good. I'm glad you are happy.

[Jayhawk]

1 hour ago, Mattnvick said:

 

Is there any particular  reason you dont do ship tours?

 

 We did an MSC tour of the Kohimlich ruins in Costa Maya in April. Its about a 2 hour drive and hence the reason we didn't want to go with a private operator (if there is an issue with a ship tour  the ship will wait).

 

They gave us water and a packed lunch. I think we were the only tour there. IThe ruins have a nice lot of shade and the tour guide was excellent.

 

Really enjoyed it and it was run extremely well and i think maybe $10 more than a private one. 

Usually more money... better in recent years but used to be bigger difference.  Plus there are 4 of us so adds up. Generally smaller and more personal.  If I was in a country where I war concerned about security or time I would do avoid ship tour.

We are doing the close ruins and lunch with a local family through Native choice... although yours sounds very cool.  Next time@

[AerynSun_JohnCrighton]

Just now, Jayhawk said:

Usually more money... better in recent years but used to be bigger difference.  Plus there are 4 of us so adds up. Generally smaller and more personal.  If I was in a country where I war concerned about security or time I would do avoid ship tour.

We are doing the close ruins and lunch with a local family through Native choice... although yours sounds very cool.  Next time@

That's the one I thought looked really good.