MSC Cruises

Top Reasons To Choose MSC Cruises

• Above-average attention to innovations that improve the comfort of passengers.
• Ships noted for elegant designs, technological innovations, and the best in entertainment and dining.
• Over-sized staterooms and suites not commonly found on many cruise ships, allowing for the utmost in luxury. 
• Exclusive packages that allow guests to pay one price for a package that encompasses three of the best available excursions.
• Generous cancellation policy: you can cancel your trip up to 48 hours before departure and apply what you've already paid for to a new cruise.
• Extensive health and safety measures and protocols that exceed guidelines.
• Makes the entire cruise process, from booking to disembarkation, as relaxing as possible.
• Onboard Cruise Card that eliminates the need for cash or credit cards.
• Promotional offers that might include free drinks, low monthly payments, and even a Kids Sail Free opportunity to some destinations.
• They have a lot of options for entertainment on their ships for adults as well. There are casinos, champagne bars and fine dine restaurants on the ships operated by MSC Cruises and this is the reason why you will never get bored while cruising on their ships.
• Their fitness centers and spa facilities will keep you refreshed and will make you forget that you are in the middle of the ocean. They have fully functional gyms and swimming pools on their ships. This makes the fitness freaks to always travel with MSC Cruises.
• This company is one of the very few ocean cruise lines that have the option of both fine dining and buffets. To create uniformity in the environment of the ship most of the ocean cruise companies will either have fine dining or buffets available on their ships but MSC Cruises tries to accommodate all kinds of travelers and gives a variety of cuisine options to choose from.
• MSC Cruises also has a special division called Mice & Charters that performs the function of organizing events on their ships. So if you are planning to have some kind of an event on the cruise then you need to worry not because the specialist team of Mice & Charter by MSC Cruises will always be there to guide you and help you organize a successful event in the ocean.
• They have a lot of experience in the cruising industry and their heritage is centuries old. To witness how they are still keeping this heritage of cruising in the ocean alive for centuries, you should definitely go on an ocean voyage with them.

Frequently Asked Questions About MSC Cruises

• What kind of trips can I take with you?

  They offer a lot of options in which you can go on a cruise with them. There have around the year trips to the Caribbean and Mediterranean but if you want to go on trip to any other region, you can go on a seasonal trip in any other part of the world. They also go on trips to their own exclusive Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which is MSC Cruises destination point in the Bahamas full of natural beauty.

• How much would a tour cost?

  MSC Cruises offer expeditions in the ocean at a very reasonable price. Their prices in no way reflect the fact that this is the amount of money that you will be spending to go on a cruise with World's fourth largest ocean cruise company. They have many variations in the prices which are all dependent on the type of your cabin and the destination of your cruise. This company offers many create your own cruise deals in which you get a chance to customize your own cruise experience and in that deal the prices increase with every additional feature or destination that you add to your cruise.    On an average the cost of a normal cruise to the Caribbean with the standard will cost you somewhere around $1000 per person without taxes and port charges. This price is usually for a weeklong trip that starts and ends in Miami.

• Can I take my family with the guide and not be stuck with other people?

  This company offers a lot of facilities for families and you can put forward your request of a separate tour guide for your family. You can also let the company know about an extra tour guide when creating your own cruise expedition through various such schemes made available by MSC Cruises.

• Can I tell the agent what I want out of the trip?

  Yes you can certainly talk to the agent about your expectations for the trip. This gives you a lot of insight about how your trip is going to be and whether this is what you want from the trip or not. Calling your agent before the trip is a really good way to plan ahead so that you are well prepared for everything on that cruise.

• Do they have support that can help me regardless of what time?

  They have customer support form on their website that you can fill up with your query regardless of what time it is and they will respond to you promptly. They also have helpline where you can call on weekdays between 8 a.m and 7 p.m or on weekends between 9 a.m and 7 p.m.

• What do the guides do for you?

  The guides at MSC Cruises are skilled and have a lot of knowledge about the destinations that you will be visiting. They are mostly locals of that destination and have lived their wholes lives there, so they know every bit about the destination you are visiting. They will help you socialize with the locals. Therefore with the help of these local tour guides you will get a chance to blend in easily at your destinations.

• Do they have specialists that are working in each place?

  MSC Cruises has a much specialized staff and there have rarely been any complaints about any of their staff being incompetent or unprofessional. You can read a lot reviews from other travelers who have had firsthand experience with the people on these cruises and you will rarely hear any bad stories from them.

• What type of way can you travel when you are traveling through MSC Cruises?

  MSC Cruises offer many different ways of cruising in the ocean. The most standard way of traveling with MSC is by taking an ocean cruise with them but with in the category of ocean cruising they offer multiple different ways of traveling. They have divided their ocean cruises into different classes namely Lirica Class, Musica Class, Fantasia Class, Meraviglia Class, Meraviglia plus Class and Seaside Class. All these classes have multiple different ships which have similar sizes and you can choose to travel in any way you like.

• Who customizes the itinerary or things you are going to do ahead of time?

  This company is owned by the family who has been cruising in the ocean for more than a couple of centuries now. Their experience in the ocean has helped the experts at MSC Cruises to customize itineraries that will lay out the plan of your cruise way ahead of time.

• Where do you stay while you are at the destinations?

  The cruise company also offers great hotels in its packages where you will stay during your stops at destination points. You usually have to select different excursions for each one of your destination points and the place of your stay might also depend on the excursion that you have chosen.

• Is there a single supplement that can be used for travelers who are solo?

  There may be a little supplement for solo travelers who are on a regular cruise with MSC but if you are really into cruising and want to save the cost of singles supplement then you might have to wait a little because MSC Cruises also offers some limited time cruises with no single supplement at all.

• On average, what is the group size like?

  The group size with MSC Cruises on your destination may depend entirely on the type excursion that you have selected for your land expedition because in some cases you can even book an excursion that is exclusively for you or a couple of people where the group size is very little but in other cases your group may be as big as 30 people per group.

Minimum Age Policy on MSC Cruises

Adult Passengers traveling with person under age 21 shall be fully responsible for that person's conduct and behavior. Passengers under age 21 may not order or consume alcoholic beverages or participate in gambling. Parents and guardians are responsible for monitoring the actions of their minor passenger at all times.

Travel Protection Options on MSC Cruises

Even the best-planned travel can be impacted by the unexpected illness, medical emergencies, severe weather, delayed flights, lost passports or luggage, etc. Troubles can occur when you least anticipate them, forcing you to cancel or interrupt your trip, lose your vacation investment, and incur unplanned expenses. And when you’re away from home, things like medical emergencies and illness are even more difficult to manage. CSA Travel Protection plans provide important insurance coverage, benefits and 24-hour emergency assistance services to take care of you while traveling and protect your hard-earned investment. We anticipate the unexpected so you don’t have to. * Please note: Benefits and services are described on a general basis. Certain restrictions, exclusions, and limitations apply to all coverages and services. Please contact CSA Travel Protection for a sample certificate/policy. This plan applies to only those arrangements booked directly through MSC Cruises.

INSURANCE COVERAGES:
Trip Cancellation & Trip Interruption
Provides reimbursement for unused, non-refundable pre-paid expenses if you are prevented from taking your trip due to a covered reason. Trip Interruption also provides reimbursement for additional transportation costs if your trip is interrupted or your arrival on your trip is delayed due to a covered reason. Trip Delay Provides for reasonable expenses incurred such as accommodations, meals, and local transportation if you are delayed 12 hours or more during your trip due to a covered reason.

Baggage Delay
Provides reimbursement for the emergency purchase of necessary personal effects if your baggage is delayed for more than 24 hours during your trip. Baggage & Personal Effects Provides reimbursement for baggage or other personal effects that are lost, damaged or stolen while on your trip.

Accident and Sickness Medical Expense
Provides coverage for the necessary medical, surgical and emergency dental care costs if you become sick or accidentally injured while on a trip.

Emergency Medical Transportation
If you become sick or injured on a trip, Emergency Medical Transportation will provide benefits such as: arrange transportation to the nearest suitable medical facility; help the guest return Home, if medically necessary; provide round-trip economy air fare for a companion to visit if you are traveling alone and hospitalized for more than 7 days.

Air Flight Accident
Provides coverage for loss of limb or life in the event of an accident while traveling as a ticketed passenger on a certified passenger aircraft.

Dining on MSC Cruises

Early breakfast is served on deck between 06.30 and 07.00. Breakfast is served in the restaurant from 07.00 until 09.30, at the on-deck buffet from 07.00 until 10.00, or in your cabin from 07.00 until 10.00 (except on the day of disembarkation). Cabin service can be requested using the form found in the cabin. Lunch is served from 12.00 until 14.30 in the restaurant and on-deck buffet. Dinner is served in the restaurants in two seatings at 19.00 and at 20.45. Times may change depending on dockings and excursions. Any changes will be indicated in the Daily Program. Special diets can be catered for if requested at the time of reservation. A supplementary charge may apply to these special requests. It is possible to reserve lunch and/or dinner at special and a la carte restaurants through the Reception Desk.

Fuel Surcharge Policy on MSC Cruises

The fare that you paid was determined far in advance of Initial Departure on the basis of then-existing projections of costs, including but not limited to fuel costs. The Company reserves the right to impose or pass through fuel surcharges, security surcharges or similar incidental surcharges at any time prior to departure. In the event of an increase in costs above amounts projected, the Company further reserves the right to increase the fare or impose surcharges at any time up to Initial Departure and to require payment of the additional fare or surcharges prior to Initial Departure.

Tipping Policy on MSC Cruises

At the end of the cruise it is international custom to pay service charges to restaurant and cabin staff in recognition of good service. Passengers will receive written communication regarding this in their cabin. For your convenience and as an indicative suggestion we have arranged for an all inclusive daily service charge of 6 Euros per adult and 3 Euros per child (4-17 years) for cruises in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe; 12 US dollars per adult and 6 US dollars per child for cruises in the Caribbean and North America; 6 US dollars per adult and 3 dollars per child for cruises in Brazil and Argentina (including Ocean Cruises); 5 US dollars per adult and 2,50 US dollars per child for cruises in South Africa. This sign of appreciation, valid on all ships in the MSC Cruises fleet is of course optional. Therefore, passengers may freely decide whether to increase or decrease it, communicating their decision to the Accounting Office before 22.00 of the last day. This Office is at your disposal for further information. For your convenience, should you give no indication to change the amount; the sum will automatically be debited to your final extras account.

Payments / Refunds on on MSC Cruises

Deposit requiremens are as follows: 0 to 5 night cruises - $99 deposit per person, 6 to 14 night cruises - $199 deposit per person, 15 to 33 night cruises - $300 per person. 15% non-refundable for World Cruise products.

Effective May 1, 2016 and future sailings: For all new bookings made beginning Sunday, May 1, 2016, for all sailings considered part of our Summer 2017 (April 2017) departures forward, MSC Cruises has adjusted the cancellation policy as reflected in the following:

Final payment is due no later than 90 days prior to sailing. To avoid cancellation, the deposit or final payment must be received by MSC's office by the option date given at the time of booking. Option dates can vary from one to seven days from booking date depending on sailing demand. In a few rare instances immediate payment by credit card may be required to confirm you reservation.

Government fees and taxes may include any and all fees, charges and taxes imposed by U.S. and/or foreign governmental and quasi-governmental authorities, including U.S. customs fees, head taxes, hotel taxes, air taxes, taxes incurred as part of a land tour, inspection fees, immigration and naturalization fees and Internal Revenue Service fees. Government fees and taxes are subject to change and MSC Cruises reserves the right to collect any increases in effect at the time of sailing, even if the fare has already been paid in full. Government fees and taxes are collected for all guests, regardless of age. MSC Cruises reserves the right to pass on any fuel surcharge without prior notice to guests. Cancellation requests must be received in writing by MSC Cruises no less than 76 days prior to sailing date for a full refund.

Reservation cancellation requests received less than 76 days prior to sailing will be subject to the following charges:

75 to 46 days prior to sailing: Deposit amount

45 to 16 days prior to sailing: 50% of cruise fare, excluding taxes

15 days or less prior to sailing: 100% of cruise fare, excluding taxes

No refund will be issued if a guest voluntarily or involuntarily fails to show up for their cruise; is denied boarding for any reason including failure to possess required travel documents, passport or visa; or terminates his/her cruise in progress. Cruise contracts are non-transferable.

Name changes and cruise date changes are considered reservation cancellations and are subject to the above cancellation charges. Cancellation charges are assessed on total fares, which include cruise fare, air add-ons, hotel packages, and any other additional services arranged through MSC Cruises.

Smoking Policy on MSC Cruises

At MSC Cruises, MSC tries to accommodate our guests' preferences. Smoking is permitted only in designed areas. Smoking is not permitted at any time in the dining room or main show lounge.