Experience with Celebrations Photo Package

[dce85]

My family and I were on the 9/3 sailing of the MSC Seaside to celebrate my husband and my 60th birthdays.   For that reason, I purchased the Celebrations Photo Package.  I know others might be interested and so I want to share our experience.   First, don't expect any information from MSC about your purchase before you get onboard.  You will receive no directions or even written confirmation about the package.  Once onboard, I went to the photo desk and was able to easily schedule our session.   Originally, we were scheduled to take pictures the morning we were at Ocean Cay.   Unfortunately due to an issue within our family we had to postpone to Saturday (last day) to have pictures taken onboard.   I'm sure I'd be writing a completely different review had we stuck to the original plan and had beach pictures with natural light.   When I had to reschedule (my husband had a medical emergency so he left the cruise and returned), I was assured that they would be able to take the photos onboard and the photographer would know great places to take the pictures.   I let them know several times that we were 4 generations, a group of 10 and included two children under the age of 3.   

Our reality, even though the time was booked on Tuesday, the photographer did not know she was doing a group shoot until I arrived 10 minutes before the time we were given.  There was not forethought about where pictures should be taken.  I was asked where I wanted them to which I replied, "I was told you would know where to take us."   So we were taken to the photo hallway with bright fluorescent lights (colors are not natural), by the casino, in the main atrium to get the crystal stairs with very loud music going on (try that with a 2 and 3 year old) and back into the garage lounge (which has a wall of kaleidoscope light).   This was half way into our 60 minute session and the kids were overstimulated and we called it quits.  We were never taken outside onto a deck (like maybe the infinity bridge), or into a quiet lounge.   When we looked at our photos, they appeared to be highlighting the ship and not our family.  Additionally, the photographer had nothing to help grab the attention of small children like a toy, etc. 

When I looked at my photos that night, I actually went back to complain.  The photographer was there and I was not kind and let her know that the pictures were crappy (yup, not kind but that is what they were).   I asked to speak to the supervisor.  They did offer a retake but it was 9 PM and the two children were asleep.  I was able to show the supervisor the pictures because I felt it was important to see what the results were.   I told him I was very surprised that they didn't have a set list of "quiet" locations for this package.   When asked how the situation could be rectified, I pointed out that there really wasn't a way to fix it at that point.

So what would I do differently:   Take the pictures at Ocean Cay so you can use natural light.   Plan the photo shoot for yourself -- know what groupings and pictures you want.   Your photographer will not necessarily have their own ideas.   Take the pictures in the beginning of the cruise so that if a retake is necessary, you can have it done.   If you are in one cabin, use the digital package as your method of having photos taken (we were in 5 cabins so that didn't work for us) so that you can pick and choose what pictures actually are worth keeping.    I like the idea of this package and it really would be a great way to get family pictures if the photographers were actually trained to do these shoots.  

[Watchasayy]

Hello! 
I would have a quick and important question for you: 

How much did you pay for this service, as I am currently in the Situation. 
 

greetings